Elisa S. Arch

Elisa S. Arch is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology & Applied Physiology at the University of Delaware, College of Health Sciences. She directs the Orthotics & Prosthetics for Enhanced (O.P.En.) Mobility Laboratory, focusing on optimizing orthotic and prosthetic devices to enhance mobility for users. Her research integrates engineering tools like motion capture technology, 3D printing, and biomechanical analysis to improve device design and prescription.

Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (University of Delaware, 2012); B.S. in Biomedical Engineering (University of Virginia, 2008). Honors include the NSF GRFP (2009–2012).

Research Interests: Adaptive musculoskeletal capacity during movement tasks, prosthetic/orthotic-musculoskeletal interaction, and device design optimization for mobility enhancement. Her work emphasizes clinical application, such as improving walking economy for stroke survivors and optimizing ankle-foot orthosis stiffness.

Labs/Teams: Director of the O.P.En. Mobility Lab, collaborating on interdisciplinary projects involving robotics, additive manufacturing, and clinical trials. Active in device prototyping and validating biomechanical principles in real-world applications.

Grants & Awards: NSF GRFP (2009–2012). Research focuses on translating biomechanical insights into practical solutions for mobility impairments.