Ms. Olson serves as Research Engineer and Lab Manager for the Physical Therapy Movement Analysis Lab as well as an Instructor for the Department of Physical Therapy. She teaches in the Kinesiology and Motor Control, and Critical Inquiry courses. Additionally, her responsibilities include leading and assisting DPT student research groups in the Physical Therapy Movement Analysis Lab. Her current research interests include biomechanics and sensorimotor control in adults and pediatric populations with foot pathologies. More specifically her work is in the areas of biomechanical modeling of multi-segment foot kinetics, ankle proprioception, total ankle replacement, and the relationship of diabetes mellitus to balance and function.

Laboratory

Department of Physical Therapy Movement Analysis Laboratory

Research Interests

• Computational biomechanical modeling of multi-segment foot kinetics and joint contact forces in typically developing and pathologic pediatric populations
• Modeling of biomechanics of functional tasks and muscle performance in people after total ankle replacement
• Mechanisms and measurement of foot pathology and balance in people with diabetes mellitus

Selected Publications and Presentations

• Olson ML, Krzak JJ, Voglewede P, Garman CMR, Harris GF, Kruger K. Validation of a multi-segment foot force distribution algorithm. Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society, June 2023, Highpoint NC. Podium presentation
• Olson ML, Zahn A, DiLiberto FE. A new measure of ankle proprioception. Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society, June 2023, Highpoint NC. Podium presentation
• DiLiberto FE, Kamath HER, Olson ML, Cherchi M, Helminski JO, Schubert MC. Vestibular function and balance in people with diabetes mellitus. Vestibular Oriented Research Meeting, June 2023, Boulder, CO. Podium presentation

Education

• ABD (all but dissertation) Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering
  Marquette University
  Milwaukee WI
  (PhD expected 2024)
• Master of Science in Physics, emphases in Dynamics and Teaching
  Northern Illinois University
  DeKalb IL
• Bachelor of Arts in Physics
  Carthage College
  Kenosha WI
• Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
  Carthage College
  Kenosha WI

Certification

• Wisconsin Professional Educator License; Physics, 2015
• Illinois Professional Educator License; Physics, Mathematics, General Science, 2002

Honors and Awards

• Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society Travel Award, 2023

Professional Society Memberships

• Gait & Clinical Movement Analysis Society
• American Society of Biomechanics
• International Society of Biomechanics