Kayla K - Research Program Mentor | Polygence
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Kayla K

- Research Program Mentor

PhD candidate at University of Georgia

Expertise

Biomechanics, Kinesiology, Sports Medicine, Exercise Science, Concussion, Lower Extremity Injury, Motor Control

Bio

Hi, my name is Kayla and I am a PhD student researching concussion. Concussion is an injury to your brain that can lead to many short-term symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, or sensitivity to noise or light. I focus on the long-term symptoms. After a concussion, many people go on to injure themselves during activities. These injuries include ankle sprains, hamstring strains, and ACL injuries to name a few. My research examines how people move after concussion and how this may place them at risk for injury. Outside of school, I enjoy reading a wide range of books. I also enjoy cooking and baking. I always bring in treats for my colleagues throughout the semester! I love going to the gym regularly and hiking. Lastly, I enjoy taking and editing photos whether it is of something in nature or graduation pictures for a friend!

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

How does running shoe heel-to-toe-drop impact running mechanics and performance?

This review paper would examine the literature to determine how different running shoes impact running mechanics and performance. Specifically, you could examine how changes in heel-to-toe-drop influence stance time, stride length, cadence, and finishing times to name a few. You could also evaluate how different heel-to-toe-drops relate to perceptions of pain while running. In addition to being a review paper, this could also be a poster or infographic.

Coding skills

R, MatLab, Visual 3D

Languages I know

N/A

Teaching experience

In my PhD program, I teach a Biomechanics Lab and help students work on a semester long project. They collect data, analyze it, and then present it in their lecture course at the end of the semester. Additionally, High School students have shadowed me throughout a semester to learn about the labs I work in and the research we conduct

Credentials

Work experience

Pioneer Performance Center (2020 - 2020)
Intern

Education

Sacred Heart University
BS Bachelor of Science (2020)
Exercise Science
University of Nebraska, Omaha
MS Master of Science (2022)
Biomechanics
University of Georgia
PhD Doctor of Philosophy candidate
Kinesiology

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