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Dr. Kat M. Steele is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington. Her research focuses upon using novel computational and experimental tools to understand human movement and improve treatment and quality of life individuals with cerebral palsy, stroke, and other neurological disorders.

Her research group strives to connect engineering and medicine to create solutions that can advance our understanding of human ability, but also translate research results to the clinic and daily life. She has previously worked as an engineer in multiple hospitals including the Cleveland Clinic, The Children’s Hospital of Colorado, and Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital.

She also co-directs AccessEngineering, an NSF-supported program to encourage individuals with disabilities to pursue careers in engineering and integrate topics on universal design and accessibility into the engineering curriculum.

She has been awarded an NIH K12 Career Development Award in Rehabilitation Engineering, NSF CAREER Early Faculty Development Award, and the American Society of Biomechanics Young Scientist Award.

Education

• PhD, Mechanical Engineering – Stanford University
• MS, Mechanical Engineering – Stanford University
• BS, Engineering with a Mechanical Specialty (Minors in Bioengineering and Public Affairs) – Colorado School of Mines

Experience

• Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering – University of Washington (2013 – present)
• Acting Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering – University of Washington (2012 – 2013)
• Research Associate, Sensory Motor Performance Program – Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (2012 – 2013)
• Biomechanical Engineer, Gait & Movement Analysis Laboratory – Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital (2009 – 2012)
• PhD Candidate, Neuromuscular Biomechanics Laboratory – Stanford University (2007 – 2012)
• Bioengineer, Center for Gait & Motion Analysis – The Children’s Hospital of Colorado (2006 – 2007)
• Research Assistant, Lerner Research Institute – Cleveland Clinic (Summer 2006)

Awards & Recognitions

• Colorado School of Mines Young Alumni Award 2017
• American Society of Biomechanics Young Scientist Award 2016
• University of Washington College of Engineering Junior Faculty Award 2016
• NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award, 2015
• Best Paper & Best Poster (mentor), Gait & Clinical Movement Analysis Society, 2015
• Finalist David Winter Young Investigator Award, 2015
• Outstanding Presentation, 2014, Neural Engineering Track, Biomedical Engineering Society
• BTS Congress Prize, 2014, Clinical Movement Analysis World Conference
• UW Rogel Faculty Support Award, 2014
• OpenSim Fellow, 2014, National Center for Simulation in Rehabilitation Research
• 3M Non-Tenured Faculty Award, 2014, 3M Company
• Rehabilitation Engineering Career Development Award, 2013, National Institutes of Health
• Baskin Award for Excellence in Research 3^rd Place, 2013, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
• Aspen Ideas Festival Nominee, 2012, Stanford University
• Kevin Granata Young Investigator Award, 2012, Gait & Clinical Movement Analysis Society
• Outstanding Student Podium Presentation, 2011, Biocomputation at Stanford
• Student Travel Fellowship, 2011, International Society of Biomechanics
• Outstanding Student Poster Presentation, 2011, Biomechanics at Stanford
• Student Travel Award, 2010, 2011, 2012, Gait & Clinical Movement Analysis Society
• Graduate Research Fellowship, 2008, National Science Foundation
• National Nagel Fellow, 2007, Tau Beta Pi
• National Dodson Scholar, 2006, Tau Beta Pi

Curriculum Vitae PDF