Janet S. Dufek

Janet S. Dufek, Ph.D., is a Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences. She also serves as Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and holds adjunct appointments at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Her career spans leadership roles including Associate Dean of the School of Integrated Health Sciences and Director of the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Ph.D. Program.

• Education: Ph.D. in Biomechanics (University of Oregon, 1988)
• M.S. in Scientific Foundations of Kinesiology (Illinois State, 1982)
• B.S. (Summa Cum Laude) in Physical Education (University of Wisconsin-Superior, 1981)

Research Interests focus on biomechanical mechanisms of locomotion, injury prevention, and clinical gait assessment. She specializes in jump-landing dynamics, movement variability, and performance enhancement for clinical populations, advocating for interdisciplinary approaches to solve complex health science problems.

Her 15 most recent publications (2019-2024) reflect trends in concussion biomechanics, autism spectrum disorder gait analysis, machine learning applications in diabetes progression, and advanced sensor technology for movement studies. Articles explore topics from head acceleration effects on lower extremity function to weighted vest interventions in autism therapy.

Scientific Awards include:

• Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine
• UW-Superior Hall of Fame (Scholar-Athlete, 2007)
• Membership in Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Xi honor societies

As a dedicated mentor, she supervises graduate research projects and advises on interdisciplinary health sciences. Her lab (REBEL Research Group) pioneers work in biomechanical injury prevention and gait variability assessment, utilizing pressure-measuring insoles and wearable inertial sensors.