The 2019 Footwear Biomechanics Symposium will have many distinguished speakers including four keynotes and five invited speakers.
The invited speakers will include:
Sarah Ridge - Brigham Young University
Sarah Ridge is an assistant professor in the Department of Exercise Sciences at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She got her Ph.D. in Biomechanics and Movement Science at the University of Delaware prior to moving west in 2010. Sarah researches a variety of topics related to lower extremity biomechanics, including foot structure and function, minimalist footwear, and measurement of figure skating jump landing forces. The primary motivation of much of her research is to understand and develop optimal methods of musculoskeletal injury prevention and treatment.
Isabelle Sacco - University of Sao Paolo
Isabel C. N. Sacco is an Associate Professor at the School of Medicine of the University of Sao Paulo; 1B Research fellow of CNPq-Brazil (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development); and the head of the Laboratory of Biomechanics of Movement and Human Posture (LaBiMPH), whose main areas of research today include intelligent systems for decision making in health, biomechanics and rehabilitation of diabetic and osteoarthritis patients, casual and sport footwear, running biomechanics and foot biomechanics/rehabilitation. Over the past 18 years of professional experience, Isabel has published ~100 peer-reviewed papers with IF (WoS), and more than 350 complete or extended abstracts in international and national conferences. Her teaching throughout her career also includes the guidance of 9 doctoral theses, 17 master dissertations and 5 postdoctoral supervisions. She is currently acting as Director of the Postgraduation program in Rehabilitation Sciences at School of Medicine at the University of São Paulo. She has recently been honored by the Brazilian Government as one of the only 22 young (under forty years old) female Brazilian scientists in the national territory with a recognized merit, building up an academic carrier of national and international recognition with extensive scientific production and important role in the formation of human resources.
Alison Sheets-Singer - Nike Sport Research Lab
Alison Sheets-Singer leads a Biomechanics Team in the Nike Sport Research Lab focused on creating innovative products and services that enhance the performance of athletes of all abilities. Prior to joining Nike, Dr. Sheets-Singer was an Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. She received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of CA, Davis, and was Postdoctoral Researcher at Stanford University. In these roles, Dr. Sheets-Singer used experimental approaches and computer simulation, modeling, and optimization to research topics including: optimal gymnastics performance, landing dynamics, tennis serve technique, dynamics of throwing with a lacrosse stick, and quantifying human and animal motion using markerless tracking techniques. Dr. Sheets-Singer is a recipient of the Andrzej Komor New Investigator Award from the International Society of Biomechanics, Technical Group on Computer Simulation for her work related to optimizing gymnastics performance. Additionally, Dr. Sheets-Singer was an invited speaker at the 2012 Japan America Frontiers of Engineering Symposium sponsored by the National Academy of Engineering, and is co-chair of the New Voices in Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine sponsored by the US National Academies.
Julie Steele - University of Wollongong, Australia
Julie Steele is a Senior Professor in Biomechanics in the School of Medicine, at University of Wollongong, Australia. She is also Founder and Director of both the Biomechanics Research Laboratory and Breast Research Australia (BRA). Over the past 35 years, Julie’s research has focused on developing innovative strategies, based on applied biomechanics, to decrease injury potential and optimise quality of life for individuals across the age spectrum. She has investigated lower limb injuries in landings; developing wearable technologies to enhance quality of life; breast health biomechanics, as well as the effects of obesity, ageing and occupational loading on lower limb structure and function with implications for footwear design. Julie has published ~170 peer-reviewed articles and presented over 350 scientific talks around the world. She has also been the recipient of numerous research awards, including 2005 NSW Telstra Business Woman of the Year. A current member of the World Council of Biomechanics and Fellow of ISB, Julie has served on the Executive Council of several professional associations, including being President of the International Society of Biomechanics and the Australian & New Zealand Society of Biomechanics.
Helen Woo - Under Armour
Helen Woo is the Senior Director leading the Biomechanics team at Under Armour. She is the current Chairperson of the Footwear Biomechanics Group, on the Editorial Board of the Footwear Science Journal and a member of scientific review committees for various biomechanics conferences. Helen joined Under Armour in 2016 to build a state-of-the-art biomechanics lab and oversee the performance research with the goal of delivering innovative solutions to make athletes better. She has been in the athletic footwear industry for over 20 years and her extensive career has included senior biomechanics positions in the Nike Sport Research Lab and Adidas AG at Reebok’s Human Performance Engineering Lab. She has worked on a range of athletic footwear across sports, gender and surfaces (e.g. Nike Free, Reebok CrossFit Nano, Under Armour HOVR Sonic Running shoe) and has an in-depth understanding of the research and development process of high performance footwear. Typically taking a more comprehensive approach to the research, Helen has partnered with some of the best athletes, coaches, trainers, experts and academic researchers in the world to identify the performance needs of the athlete and translate the scientific findings and insights to develop best-in-class product.
