Name: Angelo Graffos
Program: MSc
Graduated: 2018
Thesis Title: “Biomechanics during cross-body lunging in individuals with and without symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement”
How would you describe your research in the UBC Rehabilitation Sciences program?
My thesis was an exploratory, quantitative, and cross-sectional study where motion analysis was used to assess and compare the biomechanics of the 45° cross-body lunge between 3 groups of participants: individuals with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and hip/groin pain, individuals with FAI and no hip/groin pain, and healthy controls. Multiple biomechanical variables were calculated from one data collection session, which included the kinematics (joint angles and pelvic excursions) and kinetics (joint moments, joint moment net impulses and ground reaction forces) of the lunge, and participants were also asked about their hip and groin pain while performing the movement. Overall, the results of the study indicated that there were minimal biomechanical differences during the cross-body lunge between the three groups mentioned above, and these findings align with previous FAI literature in this area.
Where and what is your current position?
I am currently a Learning Support Teacher at an elementary school in Coquitlam, supporting three Grade 4/5 classes and one grade 2 class. I have around 40 students on my caseload, which includes students with disabilities and giftedness, who are learning English and who require additional learning assistance in literacy and numeracy. My role involves teaching remedial writing, reading and numeracy (which includes using research-based programs like the UFLI Foundations program for reading), developing and updating individualized educational plans (‘Individual Education Plan’ for students with disabilities and giftedness, and the ‘Annual Instructional Plan’ for students who are learning English), and conducting reading and writing assessments.
How do you like to spend your free time?
During my free time, I enjoy playing tennis and the piano, spending time with family and friends, and trying out new restaurants. Furthermore, I also enjoy mentoring UBC Kinesiology undergraduate students, tutoring elementary and secondary students in literacy, numeracy, and homework help, and attending webinars and taking professional development courses in education.
Congratulations on being our Alumni of the Month for May 2024, Angelo!