Hello! My name is Dr. Kenzie Friesen and I am a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Calgary. I am part of the Sports Injury Prevention Research Centre SHRed Concussions research program (supervision: C Emery) and We-TRAC/wearable technology program (supervision: R Ferber). I am using Prevent Biometrics mouthguards to assess concussion risk and injury in youth athletes. 

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In 2021-2022, I completed a postdoctorate fellowship at USask, where I focused my research efforts in two buckets: 1) improving my knowledge translation capabilities by working with sports stakeholders, community partners, creating a multi-sport league to improve accessibility of sport (supervision: K Chad), and serving as the biomechanics consultant for the Sports Medicine and Science Council of Saskatchewan, and 2) deepening my biomechanics computational skills and experience working with inertial measuring units while working in the Musculoskeletal health and ergonomics lab in the College of Medicine (supervision: A Lang).

 

Prior to my postdoctoral work, I completed my Ph.D. in kinesiology from Auburn University. At Auburn, I worked as a graduate teaching assistant and conducted research in the Sports Medicine and Movement Laboratory. My dissertation work was focused on the biomechanics of windmill softball pitching and how body composition can affect biomechanics, injury risk, and performance. 

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I also enjoy teaching kinesiology and biomechanics related courses at the post-secondary institution level. I have a passion for encouraging students along their education journey and more specifically growing knowledge surrounding biomechanics. I also enjoy promoting and diversifying access to STEM. Sports can provide a unique exposure to STEM activities; therefore, my sports research background often allows me a fun way to engage underrepresented groups in STEM.