The rats that make the magic happen:

Dr. Clare Milner, Rob Butler, Tracy Dierks, John Willson, Becky Zifchock, & Emily Mika

Education

	MS     2001     Movement Science     Springfield College (Springfield, MA) Mentor: Dr. H. Joseph Schuechenzuber
	BS      1999     Biology                     Marietta College (Marietta, OH)

Interests

	Effect of orthotics and athletic footwear on lower extremity kinematics and kinetics.
	Lower extremity stiffness during running. Joint stiffness Leg stiffness

Future Plans

Conduct research and develop athletic footwear in an industry setting or teaching and research in biomechanics in a University setting.

Download Rob's VITAE

Tracy Dierks MS

email: tdierks@udel.edu

"No matter how hard you work, there is always time to goof-off."  ~T. Money original~

Tracy is a 3rd year Doctoral Student under the mentorship of Dr. Davis and is primarily responsible for aiding in the research project investigating running injuries and the etiology and identification of biomechanical factors involved in the development of tibial stress fractures in competitive female runners.  Tracy has recently completed a manuscript investigating joint coupling, which has led to current work investigating abnormal joint coupling.  Tracy has also begun pilot work on is dissertation, which will investigate running kinematics and joint coupling over a prolonged run in a group with patellofemoral pain and in an uninjured group.

Education

	MS     2001     Exercise Science        University of Nebraska at Omaha (Omaha, NE) Mentor: Dr. Nick Stergiou
	BS      1999     Exercise Science        University of Nebraska at Omaha (Omaha, NE) Mentor: Dr. Nick Stergiou

Interests

	Mechanisms contributing to lower extremity running injuries. Joint coupling/coordination. Impact forces. Shock attenuation. Injury history. Structural alignment.
	The role variability plays in running injury prevention. Dynamical Systems Theory. Chaos Theory.
	The contribution of muscular and nonmuscular forces to movement control and coordination.

Future Plans

Attain a position as an Assistant Professor (tenure track) in a University setting where I would be able to conduct biomechanical research and teach graduate and undergraduate classes related to biomechanics.  One or two graduate assistants would be nice as well. 

Download Tracy's VITAE

Education

	MSPT     1998     Physical Therapy     University of Wisconsin La Crosse (La Crosse, WI) Mentor: Dr. Tom Kernozek
	BS          1996     Biology                   University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)

Interests

	Factors that contribute to the gender bias for orthopedic injuries in athletes.
	Running mechanics.
	The role of core stability on lower extremity function.

Future Plans

Attain a position in a University setting where I would be able to conduct biomechanical research, teach aspiring therapy students, and continue some degree of clinical practice.

Download John's VITAE

Becky Zifchock MS

email: beckyaz@udel.edu

"I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have."  ~Thomas Jefferson~

Becky is a 1st year doctoral student under the mentorship of Dr. Davis.  She is currently investigating structural differences between genders, focusing upon the pelvis and the arch of the foot.  She is also interested in the mechanisms leading to running injuries, particularly in females.

Education

	MS     2002     Biomechanics       The Pennsylvania State University (State College, PA) Mentor: Dr. Steve Piazza
	BS      2000     Engineering         Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)

Interests

	Structural differences between genders. How this can affect running performance. How this can predispose a runner to injury.
	Characterizing the movement of elusive joints in the foot and ankle.

Future Plans

To attain a position as an assistant professor at a university that focuses primarily upon teaching, yet encourages the faculty to conduct research as well.

Download Becky's VITAE

Education

BS     2003     Health and Exercise Science       University of Delaware (Newark, DE)

Interests

	Arthritis Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis
	Conservative and non-conservative treatments for arthritis (surgical and non-surgical).

Future Plans