The University of Texas at Austin
College of Engineering


Jessica Allen

Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Florida, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin
Currently Pursuing: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering as a NSF Graduate Research Fellow

Research: My research focuses on post-stroke hemiparetic patients participating in a locomotor rehabilitation program. The goal is to understand the different mechanisms used to improve walking performance by studying experimental and computer simulation data both pre-and post-rehabilitation.

Nick Fey

Education: B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin
Currently Pursuing: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Research: The goal of my project is to understand neuromotor adaptations in transtibial amputee gait in response to changes in task demands using modeling and simulation techniques.

Allison Hall

Education: B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University; M.S.  in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin

Currently Pursuing: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Research: My research focuses on understanding how impaired muscle coordination impacts walking ability in persons with post-stroke hemiparesis. I will investigate both paretic and non-paretic leg coordination patterns before and after a locomotor training intervention program using modeling and simulation techniques.

Jessica Ventura

Education: B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin
Currently Pursuing: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering  [Curriculum Vitae]

Project:

My research focuses on transtibial amputee walking.  Specifically, my projects involve identifying the effects of a energy storage and return prosthetic ankle on muscle coordination and joint loading, muscle contributions to amputee and non-amputee turning, and the effects of stochastic resonance on amputee stability. 

Carrie Peterson

Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan; M.S.  in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin
Currently Pursuing: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering as a NSF Graduate Research Fellow

Research: My research focuses on understanding the biomechanical factors that affect propulsion generated by the paretic leg during gait in persons with post-stroke hemiparesis. An ongoing collaboration with the University of Florida Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies will allow me to analyze experimental data collected from hemiparetic patients walking on an instrumented split-belt treadmill.

Anne Silverman

Education: B.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University; M.S.  in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin
Currently Pursuing: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering as a NSF Graduate Research Fellow  [Curriculum Vitae]

Research: My research investigates below-knee amputee compensatory strategies over a wide range of walking speeds. Through experimental data analysis and modeling and simulation techniques, the goal of this work is to identify the potential metabolic and biomechanical consequences of using one strategy versus another in amputee gait.

Jeff Rankin

Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University; M.S.  in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin
Currently Pursuing: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Research: My research focuses on understanding muscle function during wheelchair propulsion and how altering different aspects of the propulsion technique may improve the quality of life of those limited to using a wheelchair. This research will combine analyses of clinical data with results from computer simulations using a detailed upper extremity musculoskeletal model.

Arian Vistamehr

Education: B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University
Currently Pursuing: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Research: My research project is combining musculoskeletal modeling and machining learning techniques to develop diagnostic methods to detect neuromusculoskeletal impairments in various patient populations.