Equine Biomechanics Team Awarded Competitive Provost Investment Fund Grant
The equine biomechanics team from the University of Arizona Department of Mathematics received funding to support innovative equine-focused education that connects mathematics, engineering, and veterinary science. Led by Dr. Laura Miller, this interdisciplinary initiative aims to increase participation in STEM and veterinary careers, while also promoting equine welfare and advancing hands-on learning by combining science, education, and best practices in animal management.
Dr. Miller’s project is made possible by the Provost Investment Fund, a competitive grant designed to seek out proposals that support the University’s ambitions and strategic goals. This project does just that with an impressive range of programs designed to engage students who may not have considered STEM and veterinary sciences previously.
“We are excited to use this funding to create more opportunities for students to engage with science and engineering through the lens of equine research,” said Dr. Miller. “These programs have the potential to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals while addressing critical gaps in veterinary and agricultural fields.”
Uniting to provide these opportunities are the Department of Mathematics, Biomedical Engineering, the Southern Arizona Experimental Station, and the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Miller mentioned that a university with both agriculture and veterinary science efforts was a unique opportunity for her research interests. Having all of these units work together speaks to the integrative nature of the project, making sure the work is relevant to each group. The following programs make up the project:
- A summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) that integrates mathematics, engineering, and equine science to address real-world challenges.
- An expanded Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) in horse biomechanics, providing first-year students and transfers with hands-on research opportunities.
- A special section of ACBS 272: Introduction to Horsemanship tailored for pre-veterinary students to gain large animal handling experience and address discomfort working with large animals.
- New senior design projects in biomedical engineering focused on equine applications, including adaptive riding equipment.
- Curriculum reform in equine science, led by Dr. Netzin Steklis, integrating the science of animal learning and cognition to enhance horse welfare.
The Al Marah Equine Center will serve as the hub for these activities, offering students access to state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities to work directly with horses. These programs not only aim to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals but also address critical gaps in veterinary and agricultural fields.
“Mentoring last summer's REU was incredibly rewarding,” says Applied Math graduate student Rebekah Saucier, “I loved seeing how mathematical models were applied to equine biomechanics and horse movement. It was exciting to help students from non-math backgrounds see how math can enhance animal science research. What I enjoy most is the creativity and vision required to bridge these fields. Dr. Miller has a remarkable ability to bring together a multidisciplinary team for impactful research, and it was great to see our students embrace this approach. I truly appreciate how Dr. Miller fosters curiosity and innovation in her research, which is essential for cutting-edge research in any field."
Math modeling coupled with inquiry-based projects have been shown to improve student performance according to the original proposal. Dr. Miller has successfully mentored over 50 undergraduate researchers by providing multidisciplinary research opportunities. The Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) aims to allow more students to engage in real-world, data-driven research from the start of their college careers. It is open to students in mathematics, engineering, veterinary science, and biology, creating an entry point for those interested in mathematics and data science.
Dr. Miller notes that the horse biomechanics research project extends beyond this course. Ongoing work includes developing predictive models for rider-horse interactions, training effects, and injury risk, as well as exploring computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of equine circulation. With support from the Provost Investment Fund (PIF), future plans include submitting new proposals to expand REU opportunities and upgrad the indoor arena with high-speed video systems to enhance motion analysis. By combining math, technology, and hands-on research, this program advances STEM education, equine science, and applied mathematical modeling. Students will gain experience in quantitative analysis and physiological modeling while working on real problems in horse movement and welfare.
For more information, contact Dr. Laura Miller at lauram9@arizona.edu