Sean P. Mullen, PhD

Where movement becomes thought—and thought becomes motion.

Scientist. Builder. Storyteller.

I study how movement shapes the mind—and build technologies that move ideas into the world.

Explore the work Enter the lab
01
Science
02
Systems
03
Story
Descend

One mind. Multiple worlds.

Four currents, one body of work.

Research, technology, storytelling, and public impact are not separate lanes. They are parts of the same system.

01

Research

Movement, cognition, behavior change, aging, identity, and human performance.

Explore the evidence
02

Technology

AI systems, research infrastructure, sensor platforms, interactive tools, and open workflows.

Trace the systems
03

Storytelling

Cinematic world-building, interactive motion, creative education, and AI filmmaking.

Enter the story
04

Public Impact

Mentorship, health communication, clean air, Long COVID advocacy, and tools people can use.

Create impact

Selected work

Ideas made tangible.

Clinical trials, scientific instruments, AI systems, identity models, and cinematic platforms—each built around a real human problem.

The constellation

The work connects beneath the surface.

Every project draws from—and contributes back to—a shared system of science, design, technology, and lived experience.

Mind
to Motion
  • Movement Science
  • Cognition
  • AI Systems
  • Interactive Story
  • Creative Technology
  • Human Identity
  • Public Health

The human current

A career built between disciplines.

The through-line is not a job title. It is a lifelong fascination with what moves people—physically, psychologically, creatively, and collectively.

Martial arts, music, tennis, research, teaching, software, public health, and filmmaking all ask versions of the same question: how does intention become action?

Begin a conversation
  1. 01

    Study the signal

    Measure movement, cognition, motivation, health, and change with scientific rigor.

  2. 02

    Build the instrument

    Create the software, sensors, models, and systems needed to ask better questions.

  3. 03

    Tell the story

    Translate complex evidence into experiences people can understand, feel, and use.

  4. 04

    Move the world

    Put knowledge into practice through mentorship, products, advocacy, and public scholarship.

Exercise, Technology & Cognition Lab

Research for lives in motion.

The ETC Lab investigates how physical activity and technology can support cognition, behavior change, healthy aging, and quality of life.

Clinical trials Cognitive-motor systems Digital health Human-centered AI
Visit the ETC Lab

The next current

The next useful idea may exist between disciplines.

For research collaborations, creative technology, speaking, mentorship, or building something that does not fit neatly in one category.

spmullen@illinois.edu