Lauren Welte, PhD
/Lauren Welti/
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Contact
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering Dept
- lwelte@ualberta.ca
- Address
-
10-371 Donadeo Innovation Centre For Engineering
9211 116 StEdmonton ABT6G 2H5
Overview
Area of Study / Keywords
Biomechanics And Biomedical Engineering Human Locomotion Computer Vision Tendon Mechanics Ligament Mechanics Footwear Ankle Foot Function Performance Multi-Variate Statistics Sensor development Signal Processing Human Mechanical Systems Neuromechanics
About
Education:
- 2023 - Postdoctoral Fellowship, Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- 2020 - PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Queen's University
- 2015 - BASc, Mechanical Engineering, Queen's University
Research
Dr. Welte joined the department in 2023. Her research focuses on understanding both the healthy and the pathological function of joints in the foot and ankle. Using novel sensors to probe at the in vivo behaviour of tendons, ligaments, and bones, she aims to identify subject-specific differences to ultimately better design footwear and inform new rehabilitation strategies.
Research Interests:
- Articular motion in the small joints of the foot and ankle
- Biplanar videoradiography (high speed x-ray imaging)
- Novel method/sensor development for measuring human movement non-invasively using:
- Ultrasound
- Tensiometry
- Computer vision
- Understanding mechanisms for pathologies that affect the foot and ankle (e.g. plantar fasciitis, posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction, osteoarthritis, etc.)
- Footwear design choices and the impact on human locomotion
Announcements
Dr. Welte is currently looking for independent, curious, and hard-working undergraduate and graduate students to join her team. Applicants that are interested in similar research areas are encouraged to contact her via e-mail.
Courses
MEC E 485 - Biomechanical Modelling of Human Tissues and Systems
Biomechanics; mechanical characterization of biological tissues using elastic and viscoelastic models. Rheology of blood and flow properties. Static and dynamic analyses of selected physiological systems. Application of biomaterials in external and internal prostheses. Prerequisites: BME 320 and 321; MEC E 300, 362, 380; and MEC E 330 or 331. Credit cannot be obtained in both MEC E 585 and 485.