People

MSU Faculty

James Becker

Co-Director

Associate Professor, Health and Human Development
Ph.D. from University of Oregon, 2013

Dr. Becker’s research seeks to understand anatomical and biomechanical factors related to common orthopedic injuries, identify and evaluate the effectiveness of current and novel rehabilitation programs, and evaluate the efficacy of screening programs for identifying individuals at risk for various injuries.  Dr. Becker also performs research in the area of sports performance, with particular emphasis on the sport of track and field.

Office: Romney 103A
Phone: 406-994-6854
Email  |  Faculty Webpage

Scott Monfort

Co-Director

Assistant Professor, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, 2017

Dr. Monfort is interested in understanding how neurological factors influence human movement. This central theme extends to diverse populations including musculoskeletal injuries during sports and fall prevention research in the elderly.

Office: Roberts Hall 303

Phone: 406-994-6294
Email  |  Faculty Webpage

Corey Pew

 

Assistant Professor, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
Ph.D. from University of Washington, 2017

Dr. Pew's interests are focused on biomechanics and human-machine interactions with applications to the advancement of lower limb amputee technologies. This includes the design of new amputee devices as well as sensing and control schemes to facilitate two-way communication between the user and the prosthetic device. In addition, I have interests related to running and human performance evaluation and improvement.

Office: Roberts Hall 112

Phone: 406-994-6769
Email  |  Faculty Webpage

Graduate Students

Allie Lynch, Mechanical Engineering

Allie graduated from Montana State with B.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering and Biological Engineering. She was raised in Bozeman and was a member of the Montana State Volleyball Team during undergrad. Her research focuses on cognitive-motor function following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. She is working towards her M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. 

Hobbies

Hiking, fishing, running, skiing, cooking, and reading. 

Leah Klein, Exercise and Nutrition Science

Leah graduated from Montana State in 2021 with a BS in Kinesiology. She competes for the MSU track and field team specializing in throwing events. Her research interests include sports biomechanics, focusing on throwing performance in track and field. She is working towards her MS in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition.

Hobbies

Weight lifting, cooking, spending time with her dog, and being outside!

Ashlyn Baird, Exercise and Nutrition Science. Ashlyn was born and raised in Littleton, Colorado. She graduated from Montana State University in 2022 with a B.S. in Exercise Science. She is currently working on her Master’s in Biomechanics with research focusing on the forces present during uphill trail running.

Hobbies

Trail Running, dirt biking, snowmobiling, and skiing.

Megan Peach, Exercise and Nutrition Science.

Megan graduated from Montana State University in 2006 with a BS in Exercise Science and from Duke University in 2009 with a doctorate in physical therapy. She is currently working on her PhD in Biomechanics with a research focus on bone stress injuries and running mechanics.

Hobbies

Running, snowboarding, photography, playing outside with her kids.

Fatemeh (Asal) Aflatounian, Mechanical Engineering

Asal was born in Yazd, Iran and grew up in Tehran. She graduated from Azad University in the Science and Research Branch in 2019 with a B.S. in Biomechanical Engineering. She is currently working on her PhD in Mechanical Engineering. Her research focuses on cognitive-motor function following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Hobbies

Seeking nature, reading books, travelling, listening to music, juggling, cooking, playing the violin, and playing games and sports.

Undergraduate Students

Kaylan Wait,  Biomedical Engineering

Kaylan is researching the effects of cognitive challenges on motor function after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Hobbies

Skiing, fishing, backpacking, and sailing!

Brendan Silvia,  Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

Brendan is an undergraduate majoring in Mechanical Engineering and minoring in Biomedical Engineering at Montana State University. His research investigates whether the addition of cognitive tests influences limb force symmetry following anterior cruciate ligament
reconstruction.

Hobbies

Fishing, photography, snowboarding, weight lifting, and cooking.

Lab Alumni

PHD Students

Patrick Fischer, PhD 2021 in Mechanical Engineering. Currently Motion Analysis Center Engineer at Shriners Children's Hospital Northern California.

Valentina Nino, PhD 2021 in Engineering. Assistant Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Kennesaw State University.

MS Students

Devon Doud, MS 2022 in Mechanical Engineering. Currently working in product development at Zimmer Biomet

Allison Hoffee, MS 2021 in Exercise and Nutrition Science. Currently pursuing a DPT degree at the University of Utah.

Cailyn Schroeder, MS 2021 in Exercise and Nutrition Science.

Cody Reed, MS 2020 in Mechanical Engineering. Currently Biomechanical Engineer at Sanford Health.

Scott Wilson, MS 2020 in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Currently enrolled in medical school at Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Sara Skammer, MS 2020 in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Currently a surgical athletic trainer at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Cassidy Schreibier, MS 2020 in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Assistant Director of Sports Medicine at University of Nevada, Reno.

William Goodman, MS 2020 in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Currently a PhD student at MSU in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences.

Cory Snyder,  MS 2018 in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Currently a PhD Candidate, Universität Salzburg - Team Training and Movement Science, Salzburg, Austria.

Linnea Zavala,  MS 2018 in Exercise Science and Nutrition Sciences. Currently enrolled in DPT program at Baylor University.

Undergraduate Students

Camryn Dubois, BS 2022 in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering. Currently working at Teledyne Photon Machines. 

Evin Haworth, BS 2022 in Health and Human Performance.

Augusta Van Dyke, BS 2022 in Health and Human Performance.

Margaret Davies, BS 2021 in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering. Currently pursuing MSPH in Health Policy at John's Hopkins University. 

Sam Nelson, BS 2020 in Health and Human Performance. Currently enrolled in medical school at WAMII.

Caroline Hardin, BS 2020 in Health and Human Performance.

Maclean Turner, BS 2020 in Cell Biology and Neuroscience. Currently enrolled in medical school at WAMII.

Sean Callahan,  BS 2019 in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering.

Jaclyn Wing,  BS 2019 in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering. Currently employed at Blue Origin.