EarlyMobility

Congratulations to Dr. Mia Hoffman – 2026 Graduate School Medal Recipient!

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Huge congratulations to Dr. Mia Hoffman, recipient of the University of Washington’s 2026 Graduate School Medal – awarded to doctoral graduates whose research and civic engagement drive real social change.

Mia’s dissertation grew out of a simple question: how could a toddler with cerebral palsy play alongside her sibling? That question led to the Switch Kit, a low-cost, customizable system that helps children with motor disabilities engage in play, co-designed with families, clinicians, and speech-language pathologists. Her leadership of HuskyADAPT helped bring adapted toys to families across Washington State.

Mia earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, co-advised by our own Dr. Kat Steele and Dr. Heather Feldner, and was also named to this year’s Husky 100. She’s headed to Ohio State for a postdoctoral fellowship, and eventually hopes to launch her own lab focused on mobility, accessibility, and play.

Congratulations, Dr. Hoffman – we can’t wait to see what’s next!

Read the full feature from the UW Graduate School.

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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!

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Reimagining Mobility Aids: Mia Hoffman Presents at APTA Pediatrics 2025

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  • Two presenters stand in front of a large projection screen displaying the session title “Reimagining Mobility Aids: Collaborative Innovations Between Engineering and Physical Therapy” at the APTA Pediatrics 2025 Conference. The slide includes names, credentials, and affiliations for Mia Hoffman and Bethany M. Sloane. The background shows patterned carpet and a dark curtain framing the screen.
  • A selfie-style photo taken from the front of a large conference room, showing two presenters in the foreground and a large seated audience in the background.
  • A presenter stands beside a podium with a laptop and water bottles, holding a microphone and a small device while speaking. The podium has “Broadmoor” signage, and the background shows a patterned carpet and plain wall.
  • Two presenters stand at the front of a conference room. One is holding a microphone and a colorful book while speaking to the audience. The other stands near a podium with a laptop. The room has patterned carpet and neutral walls.

Mia Hoffman of the Neuromechanics & Mobility Lab, along with Bethany M. Sloane, Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Washington’s Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences (CREATE), presented a session at the APTA Pediatrics 2025 Conference titled “Reimagining Mobility Aids: Collaborative Innovations Between Engineering and Physical Therapy.”

The session explored how interdisciplinary partnerships can transform traditional mobility aids into creative, user-centered solutions. Real-world examples included 3D-printed joystick adaptations, sensor-integrated systems, and community loaner programs. Attendees engaged in design thinking activities and left with practical tools to reimagine mobility for young children.