Projects

Introducing Dr. Mia Hoffman!

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Congratulations to Dr. Mia Hoffman on earning a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering!

Dr. Hoffman’s PhD dissertation was titled “Pathways to self‑initiated mobility: Adoption and use of mobility aids by young children with developmental disabilities.” Her work advanced understanding of how early mobility supports can promote exploration, participation, and development for children with disabilities.

Congratulations and best of luck as Mia moves forward as a President’s Postdoctoral Scholar at The Ohio State University, working with Dr. Jill Heathcock in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in the College of Medicine!

Neuromechanics & Mobility Lab presents at NCM 2026

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Members of the lab attended the Neural Control of Movement (NCM) conference in Kobe, Japan, bringing together an international community focused on understanding how the brain controls movement.

Dr. Kat Steele presented at the satellite meeting on “Precision neurorehabilitation for movement disorders: Integrating technology, neuroscience, and clinical practice,” where she also organized a session on gait and mobility. Her talk, “On time mobility: Neuromechanics to support early play and participation,” highlighted the lab’s work at the intersection of biomechanics and neurorehabilitation.

Madeleine McCreary presented a poster on “Biomechanical effects of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation amplitude on gait in children with cerebral palsy.” And Katie Landwehr‑Prakel also presented a poster on “Impacts of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation on muscle activity and heart rate responses during robotic gait trainer use in children with cerebral palsy.”

We were also excited to connect with lab alum and collaborator Dr. Charlotte DeVol, highlighting the strong ongoing collaborations within our broader research community.

It was an exciting opportunity to share research, connect with collaborators, and engage with the global NCM community.

  • Three people pose in front of a large red torii gate at a busy shrine in Japan, with a traditional temple building and visitors in the background.
  • Dr. Kat Steele stands at a podium presenting to an audience, with a large slide reading “On Time Mobility: Neuromechanics to support early play and participation” displayed on a screen at an NCM conference session.
  • Katie stands in front of a scientific poster titled “Impacts of Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation on Muscle Activity and Heart Rate Responses During Robotic Gait Trainer Use in Children with Cerebral Palsy” at a poster session.

Spencer Hensley awarded Mary Gates Research Scholarship

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Congratulations to Spencer Hensley, who has been selected for a Mary Gates Research Scholarship! This highly competitive University of Washington program supports undergraduate students as they deepen their engagement in research while working closely with faculty mentors.

The Mary Gates Research Scholarship is designed to enhance students’ educational experiences by giving them the resources to devote more time and focus to their research. With reduced financial pressure, scholars are able to pursue more ambitious questions, develop new skills, and contribute meaningfully to their fields.

In the Neuromechanics and Mobility Lab, Spencer supports Mia Hoffman’s research on mobility aids for children with Down syndrome and other gross motor delays, contributing to efforts to understand how early access to mobility devices supports participation and development.

Please join us in celebrating this achievement – way to go, Spencer!

A young man smiles. He has dark brown hair, and is wearing glasses and a plaid jacket.

Congratulations, Madeleine! Madeleine McCreary passes her Ph.D. Qualifying Exam

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We’re excited to share that Madeleine (Maddie) McCreary has successfully passed her Ph.D. Qualifying Exam! 🎉

This milestone marks an important step toward her doctoral degree, and we’re thrilled to celebrate her hard work and dedication.

Congratulations, Maddie – We can’t wait to see the impact of your research in the years ahead!

Congratulations, Mac! Mackenzie Pitts passed her Ph.D. General Exam!

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We’re excited to share that Mackenzie Pitts has successfully passed her Ph.D. General Exam! 🎉

Mackenzie’s proposed work, titled “Personalizing Clinical Gait Assessments Using Bayesian Modeling,” was approved by her Ph.D. committee. This milestone marks an important step toward her doctoral degree, and we’re thrilled to celebrate her hard work and dedication.

Congratulations, Mackenzie!

A person standing next to a large wall-mounted screen displaying a presentation slide titled ‘Personalizing Clinical Gait Assessments Using Bayesian Modeling.