About Us
Principal Investigator
Silvia Blemker, Ph.D.
Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Biomechanics Research
Dr. Blemker is from Lawrence, Kansas. She did her undergraduate and Master’s work in Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University, and her PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University. She is broadly interested in muscle mechanics & physiology, multi-scale modeling, mentoring students, and teaching. Her hobbies include: spending time with family, organizing legos, jogging, hiking, reading, traveling, and tennis (at the very beginner level).
Postdoctoral Researchers
Morgan Dalman, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Researcher
Morgan earned her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Hope College in 2019 and her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University in 2025, where she worked under the guidance of Dr. Katherine Saul. Her research focuses on using musculoskeletal modeling and simulation to investigate the mechanics of muscle and soft tissue, as well as how injury and disease affect these systems across the lifespan. Outside of research, Morgan enjoys hiking, quilting, and spending time with friends and family.
Graduate Students
Mario E. Garcia
Ph.D. Candidate
Muscle Architecture and Function
Mario completed a B.S. in Biomedical and Health Sciences Engineering with a minor in Philosophy from the joint department at North Carolina State and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in May 2021. His research interests focus on modeling muscle architecture using a combination of imaging modalities. Outside of the lab, Mario enjoys reading, running with friends, and spending time with his two dogs
Yasmina Zeineddine
Ph.D. Student
Cell and Tissue Modeling
Yasmina graduated from VCU in 2022 with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. In the M3 lab, she is researching how chronic disuse of skeletal muscles influences regeneration following injury through computational modeling. Outside of the lab, Yasmina enjoys reading, crocheting, playing pickleball, and cooking.
Kimberly Steininger
Ph.D. Candidate
Modeling Muscle Disease
Kimberly completed her B.S. in mechanical engineering and B.M. in flute performance at Boston University in January 2021. Her research interests include investigating muscle architectural changes and understanding how fat infiltration patterns influence the mechanics of muscle to better predict atrophy and disease progression. In her free time, Kimberly enjoys listening to and playing music, running, spending time outdoors, and watching Korean dramas.
Amanda Knizley
Ph.D. Candidate
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Amanda received her B.S. in Biomedical and Health Sciences Engineering from the joint department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University in May 2023. Her research focuses on using imaging and computational tools to visualize and analyze pelvic floor muscle dysfunction/injury in women. Outside of lab, Amanda enjoys sketching, singing/playing piano, and biking.
Research Scientists
Xiao Hu, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
OpenSim Modeling
Xiao completed his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University. He is interested in using musculoskeletal modeling and simulation as a tool to understand how muscles are being used by our body to complete a variety of tasks and sports, and how this amazing ability is negatively affected by various musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. He likes watching movies, listening to music, playing ping-pong and spending time with his family.
Brendan Shea
Lab Specialist
Brendan completed a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Virginia in 2024. Currently, his work involves scheduling and assisting with data collection and analysis of ongoing research in the lab. Additionally, he functions as our Lab Ambassador the primary point of contact for undergraduates interested in research. Outside of lab Brendan enjoys juggling, singing, swimming, and watching UVA sports!
Undergraduates
Joyce Park
Undergraduate Researcher
My research interests include sex differences in musculoskeletal diseases, muscle modeling, cyber-physical systems, AI and machine learning, and robotics. Outside of the lab, I enjoy taking long walks, skiing and snowboarding, and cooking Korean food for my friends.
Emma Swartz
Undergraduate Researcher
My research interests focus on understanding sex-specific differences in bone geometry and how these variations influence the way our bodies move and respond to different loads and stresses. I’m also interested in how the body adapts to and recovers from various forms of exercise. Outside the lab, you’ll likely find me at JPJ, where I intern with the basketball teams, or off the grid enjoying the outdoors by hiking, camping, whitewater kayaking, or taking on whatever adventure comes my way!
Olivia Agolini
Undergraduate Researcher
Olivia is currently working on muscle modeling in the M3 Lab and is interested in applying biomechanics research to understand how muscles are used in daily activities, including sports, and how this knowledge can inform injury prevention. Outside of the lab, Olivia enjoys running, dancing, and spending time outdoors.
Kiran Spencer
Undergraduate Researcher
Kiran's research interests involve the application of biomechanics to medical care, specifically in the field of orthopedics. Outside of lab, he is an enthusiastic Washington Capitals fan and enjoys playing tennis, spending time with friends and family, and traveling.
Avery Rau
Undergraduate Researcher
Avery's research interests include biomechanics and muscle modeling, understanding how forces and movement affect musculoskeletal function and performance. Outside of lab, I enjoy spending time outside, running and hiking, and spending time with friends and family!
Corinne Daly
Undergraduate Researcher
My research interests include sports and injury biomechanics, and specifically sex differences in ACL tears and healing. Outside of lab, I love to ski, sail, and play pickleball!
Lab Mascot
Mr. Bones
Mascot
Opportunities
Prospective Graduate Students
Prospective graduate students interested in joining our research group should apply to our BME graduate program here or contact Dr. Silvia Blemker.
Undergraduate Students
Reach out to our lab specialist if you're interested in joining or learning about our projects!