Matthieu Newton

Research: As part of my senior project, I researched which ankle muscles fatigued faster: the muscles on the top of the ankle (the dorsiflexors) or the muscles behind the ankle (the plantarflexors). My research team found that the dorsiflexor muscles were weaker and fatigued faster. This has implications for athletes, who tire at the end of a game and need to consider these muscles to avoid injury; and the elderly, to avoid falls.

Lesson learned: Doing research in a group taught me some real-world lessons, such as things do not always go as planned in research. We had to figure out how to organize and work as a team. I discovered the keys to teamwork are flexibility and good communication.

Educational value: I took the related classes the year before I did the project. The research made me understand a lot more about what I’d studied.

Research to career: I had been considering going into orthopedics and going to med school after Northeastern. This research confirmed that idea: the more I learned in the research, the more I knew it’s what I want. Also, I’d never thought of myself as a researcher before, but I’d love to do it again.

Memorable moment: Presenting at the Research and Technology Expo was exciting. We had to present our work to faculty and other students who don’t know our field and explain it all so a layperson would get its importance.

Research effect: Every undergraduate should do research. You learn a lot about the real world, how to work with others and with Northeastern. You learn more than you can in a class because you learn by doing.