Sara E. Wilson
- Associate Professor
- Ph.D.
- Graduate Program Director
Contact Info
Learned Hall, room 3141
Personal Links
Biography —
Dr. Wilson joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 2001. In addition to her position as an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering, she was the academic director of the Bioengineering Graduate Program at KU from 2010 to 2018 and has a courtesy appointment in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Prior to joining KU, she was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Virginia.
Dr. Wilson conducts research in the neuromuscular control of human motion using engineering principles from control theory and dynamics. She has studied the effects of occupational exposures such as vibration on the lumbar spine and low back disorders. She is also involved in the development of medical devices used in physical therapy, obstetrics and internal medicine. She has served as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Biomechanics and in a number of leadership roles in the ASME Bioengineering Division. She is also active in teaching and development of educational tools in the area of responsible conduct of research for graduate students in engineering. She was a 2006 W.T. Kemper Fellow for Teaching Excellence at the University of Kansas. Dr. Wilson is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society of Biomechanics, and the American Society for Engineering Education.
Research —
Control Systems, Biomechanical Systems, Medical Devices, Mechatronics
Selected Publications —
Wilson, S., Nishomoto, M., Nishimoto, M. (2024). Assessing Learning of Computer Programing Skills in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering - Issue 5 | Volume 146. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4064364.
Sander, E., Deymier, A., Ladisa, J., O'Connell, G., Lai, V., Fisher, M., Han, B., Singh, A., Wilson, S., Peirce-Cottler, S., Lai, V., Clyne, A., Corr, D. (2024). A Systems Approach to Biomechanics, Mechanobiology, and Biotransport. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering - Issue 4 | Volume 146. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4064547.
Burke, A., Wilson, S. (2020). Design-Based Doctoral Education in Bioengineering. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering - Issue 11 | Volume 142. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4047840.
Staggs, V., Mehyar, F., Wilson, S., Staggs, V., Aoyagi, K., Sharma, N. (2020). Quantifying Lumbar Mobilization With Inertial Measurement Unit. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics - Issue 2 | Volume 43. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JMPT.2019.04.003.
Mehyar, F., Santos, M., Wilson, S., Staggs, V., Sharma, N. (2020). Effect of Grade III Lumbar Mobilization on Back Muscles in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Allied Health - Issue 1 | Volume 49.
Teo, T., Ramani, A., Munden, P., Wilson, S., Kieweg, S., Dougherty, R. (2018). Validation of an Experimental Setup to Reliably Simulate Flow Through Nonvalved Glaucoma Drainage Devices. Journal of Engineering and Science in Medical Diagnostics and Therapy - Issue 4 | Volume 1. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4040498.
Staggs, V., Mehyar, F., Santos, M., Wilson, S., Staggs, V., Sharma, N. (2017). Immediate Effect of Lumbar Mobilization on Activity of Erector Spinae and Lumbar Multifidus Muscles. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine - Issue 4 | Volume 16. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCM.2017.09.001.
Solomon, A., Wilson, S., Meyer, M., Sharma, N. (2017). Prevalence of Low Back Pain among Nursing Students Compared to Physical Therapy, and Engineering Students in the United States. International Journal of Nursing Education - Issue 3 | Volume 9.
Galvis, S., Burton, D., Barnds, B., Anderson, J., Schwend, R., Price, N., Wilson, S., Friis, E. (2016). The effect of scoliotic deformity on spine kinematics in adolescents. Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders - Issue 1 | Volume 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/S13013-016-0103-X.
Riley, A., Craig, T., Sharma, N., Billinger, S., Wilson, S. (2015). Novice lifters exhibit a more kyphotic lifting posture than experienced lifters in straight-leg lifting. Journal of Biomechanics - Issue 10 | Volume 48. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JBIOMECH.2015.05.022.
Keefer, M., Wilson, S., Dankowicz, H., Loui, M. (2014). The Importance of Formative Assessment in Science and Engineering Ethics Education: Some Evidence and Practical Advice. Science and Engineering Ethics - Issue 1 | Volume 20. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11948-013-9428-5.
Wilson, S., Alkalay, R., Myers, E. (2013). Effect of the Degenerative State of the Intervertebral Disk on the Impact Characteristics of Human Spine Segments. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology - Volume 1. https://doi.org/10.3389/FBIOE.2013.00016.
Wilson, S., Maduri, A., Wilson, S. (2009). Lumbar position sense with extreme lumbar angle. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology - Issue 4 | Volume 19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2008.03.004.
Wilson, S., Maduri, A., Pearson, B., Wilson, S. (2008). Lumbar–pelvic range and coordination during lifting tasks. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology - Issue 5 | Volume 18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2007.02.012.
Li, L., Lamis, F., Wilson, S. (2008). Whole-body vibration alters proprioception in the trunk. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics - Issue 9-10 | Volume 38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2007.10.010.
Soltys, J., Wilson, S. (2008). Directional Sensitivity of Velocity Sense in the Lumbar Spine. Journal of Applied Biomechanics - Issue 3 | Volume 24. https://doi.org/10.1123/JAB.24.3.244.
Arashanapalli, M., Wilson, S. (2008). Paraspinal Muscle Vibration Alters Dynamic Motion of the Trunk. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering - Issue 2 | Volume 130. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2898734.
Gade, V., Wilson, S. (2007). Position Sense in the Lumbar Spine with Torso Flexion and Loading. Journal of Applied Biomechanics - Issue 2 | Volume 23. https://doi.org/10.1123/JAB.23.2.93.
Wilson, S., Granata, K., Wilson, S., Massimini, A., Gabriel, R. (2004). Active stiffness of the ankle in response to inertial and elastic loads. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology - Issue 5 | Volume 14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2004.03.005.
Granata, K., Slota, G., Wilson, S. (2004). Influence of Fatigue in Neuromuscular Control of Spinal Stability. Human Factors - Issue 1 | Volume 46. https://doi.org/10.1518/hfes.46.1.81.30391.
Wilson, S., Granata, K. (2003). Reposition Sense of Lumbar Curvature With Flexed and Asymmetric Lifting Postures. Spine - Issue 5 | Volume 28.
Granata, K., Wilson, S., Padua, D. (2002). Gender Differences in Active Muscle Elastic Stiffness. 1. Quantification in Controlled Measurements. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology - Volume 12.
Granata, K., Padua, D., Wilson, S. (2002). Gender Differences in Active Muscle Elastic Stiffness. 2. Part II. Quantification of Leg Stiffness during Functional Hopping Tasks. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology - Volume 12.
Granata, K., Wilson, S. (2001). Trunk Posture and Spinal Stability. Clinical Biomechanics - Issue 8 | Volume 16.
Myers, E., Wilson, S. (1997). Biomechanics of Osteoporosis and Vertebral Fracture. Spine - Issue 24S | Volume 22.