Clare Milner, PhD, FACSM, directs the Gait Laboratory, and her research focus is the biomechanics of lower extremity injury, injury prevention and rehabilitation. Milner's research is directed towards helping active people stay injury free and in helping those with mobility limitations, such as knee pain, maintain functional daily activities. In particular, her work attempts to understand the biomechanical etiology of overuse injuries in recreational runners as a means to reduce injury risk. Specific injuries of interest include tibial stress fracture, iliotibial band syndrome, and Achilles tendinopathy. Her work also attempts to understand the interactions between walking biomechanics and knee loading in people at risk for activity limitations, particularly people with obesity and/or knee osteoarthritis. The goal of this work is to reduce the risk of excessive loading at the knee to safely maintain or increase daily physical activity.
Milner is an associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science. She received her PhD from the School of Biomedical Sciences, Leeds University, Great Britain, and completed post-doctoral training at the Center for Locomotion Studies, Pennsylvania State University and in the Department of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware. Her research expertise is in applied biomechanics and gait analysis. Milner teaches research methods classes to PhD and DHSc student in Rehabilitation Sciences and programs across the College. She also teaches advanced biomechanics to PhD students in Rehabilitation Sciences.
Milner is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and is currently a member of the Program Committee for ACSM's annual meeting. She serves as an Associate Editor for Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, ACSM's peer-reviewed journal. Milner is also a member of the American Society of Biomechanics (ASB) and has served as Program Chair for ASB's annual conference. She is a member of the International Society of Biomechanics.
Principal Investigator
Clare Milner, PhD, FACSM
Associate Professor - Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
Health Sciences Building, 11th Floor, Room 11W40
60 N 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Email: cem362@drexel.edu
Publications
PubMed | Google Scholar
Doctoral Students
- Jillian Hawkins, MS is a PhD student in Rehabilitation Sciences. She received her Master's degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Clinical Exercise Physiology from Northeastern University. Hawkins' research interests include the effects of physical inactivity and obesity on biomechanics and physiology measures. She enjoys playing softball, going to the beach, traveling and watching the Eagles and Phillies.
- Kevin Aubol, MA is a PhD student in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences. He is interested in the biomechanics of overuse running injuries. Aubol developed this interest as a collegiate Cross Country/Track & Field athlete at Willamette University, where he earned a BA in Exercise Science. While completing his MA in Exercise Science at Central Washington University, Aubol coached middle and high school Track & Field/Cross Country, worked as a graduate teaching assistant, and performed research in CWU's biomechanics lab. Aubol enjoys running, mechanical puzzles, and spending time outdoors.
Alumni
- Richard A. Brindle, PhD is a Postdoctoral Fellow at High Point University in the Human Biomechanics and Physiology Laboratory. Brindle recently received his PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at Drexel University's Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences under the mentorship of Milner. Brindle's research is focused on investigating biomechanical risk factors for common running overuse injuries of the lower extremity.