College of Health Sciences

The University of Memphis College of Health Sciences is proud to recognize Dr. Shelby A. Peel as a first-time principal investigator—an important milestone that signals both leadership in research and a growing impact in the field of biomechanics.

Dr. Peel, an assistant professor in the College of Health Sciences, leads work focused on understanding and reducing lower extremity injuries while improving performance in both athletic and tactical populations. Her research centers on injury mechanisms—particularly anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries—and the neuromuscular factors that influence both injury risk and recovery.

This recognition marks a transition from contributing researcher to research leader. As a principal investigator, Dr. Peel will direct the design, execution, and advancement of research initiatives that aim to produce real-world, evidence-based solutions for injury mitigation and performance enhancement.

Dr. Peel’s path to this milestone reflects both depth and range in her academic and applied experience. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in health and human performance from the University of Memphis before completing a second master’s in statistics and a PhD in kinesiology with a concentration in biomechanics at the University of Tennessee. Following her doctoral work, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship with The Geneva Foundation, collaborating with High Point University and Womack Army Medical Center to study injury mitigation in active-duty military personnel.

Now back at the University of Memphis, Dr. Peel serves as director of the Biomechanics Laboratory for Teaching and contributes as a biomechanist within the Musculoskeletal Analysis Laboratory. Her work continues to bridge research and application—supporting athletes, clinicians, and military populations alike through data-driven insights.

In addition to her research leadership, Dr. Peel remains actively engaged in mentorship and collaboration, working with students and researchers across the country while contributing to several leading professional organizations in biomechanics and sports science.

Her recognition as a first-time principal investigator not only highlights her individual achievements, but also reflects the College’s continued investment in advancing impactful, translational research.