Student Doctor Joseph Peters II awarded prestigious Burnett Research Grant

Joseph Peters II, a second-year medical student at Kansas City University (KCU), has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Burnett Osteopathic Student Researcher Grant from the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF).

Peters earned a PhD in kinesiology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in 2022, where he contributed to work in the wheelchair biomechanics and performance laboratory. Under the mentorship of Ian Rice, PhD, and Adam Bleakney—both former Paralympians—Peters explored innovative rehabilitation strategies for mobility device users. Bleakney also serves as the head coach of the UIUC wheelchair track and road racing team.

A former competitive gymnast, Peters is deeply interested in optimizing rehabilitation outcomes for those who rely on mobility devices, leveraging assistive technology and physical medicine. His research, grounded in biomechanics and exercise physiology, focuses on preventing pressure ulcers in adaptive sports and developing effective dosing strategies for high-intensity interval training in wheelchair users.

Peters' journey into kinesiology began during his undergraduate studies at UIUC, where he was a standout NCAA All-American in the all-around. He set career-best performances in floor, rings, vault, and the all-around during his junior year, and was a finalist for the Nissen-Emery Award in his senior year—the Heisman Trophy of NCAA gymnastics. Academically, Peters excelled as well, earning the title of College Gymnastics Association First Team All-American Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

The AOF Burnett Osteopathic Student Researcher Grant was established by John H. Burnett, DO, and Mary M. Burnett, DO, to support an osteopathic medical student for their dedication to osteopathic-oriented research. A bi-annual award in the amount of $5,000 is presented to one individual who has demonstrated a commitment to the science of osteopathic principles and practice, an active interest in clinical or basic science research pertaining to osteopathic medicine and manipulative treatment, and outstanding academic achievement as well as noteworthy accomplishments in research.