Davon Michael

Davon Michael

Biography

Davon Michael is a senior bioengineering student at North Carolina Agricultural and
Technical State University. As a Dowdy Scholar and aspiring physician-scientist, he has built a
foundation in biomedical research, clinical exposure, and student leadership. Through summer
research at Brown University, he conducted cancer immunology research focused on therapeutic
approaches for high-grade glioma. As an NC Space Grant Scholar, he studies how simulated
microgravity affects Streptococcus mutans, contributing to research relevant to astronaut health.
Beyond research, Davon has shadowed physicians across multiple specialties, volunteered in
clinical settings, and served in leadership roles supporting premedical students. These experiences
have strengthened his communication, adaptability, and commitment to service. At MSRP, he looks
forward to contributing his research background, engineering training, and collaborative mindset to
an interdisciplinary environment. Outside of academics, he enjoys weightlifting, chess, and
hands-on engineering projects.

A Multimodal Sensor Framework for Human Movement Assessment
Davon Michael1, Ganit Goldstein2, Dr. Dava Newman2
1Department of Chemical, Biological, and Bioengineering, NC A&T State University
2Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human movement assessment is important for monitoring physical function in environments
such as spaceflight, where spacesuits can restrict mobility and alter natural movement
patterns. However, conventional motion-capture systems can be expensive, stationary, and
difficult to use outside laboratory settings. This project investigates whether portable sensing
technologies can support a more accessible system for measuring lower-body movement and
exercise technique. Relevant exercises, including squats, lunges, box step-ups, calf raises, and
tibialis raises, were identified. Clinically meaningful joint and trunk angles were defined for
measurement and validation. A protocol was conducted to capture movement data across these
exercises, including joint-angle measurements, body orientation, linear acceleration, and other
biomechanical variables. Testing demonstrated the feasibility of collecting complementary
data across multiple movement patterns and established a methodology for future assessments
of body-motion tracking. Future studies will investigate sensing technologies that can capture
multiple aspects of movement, including embedded sensing within garments through smarttextile
methodologies. Combining wearable, pressure, and depth-based measurements may
provide a more complete assessment of joint position, balance, and load distribution. This
work establishes a framework for portable movement-monitoring systems that could enhance
human performance within the next generation of spacesuits and improve mobility in extreme
environments.