Jessica Allen

Dr. Jessica Allen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida. Her research focuses on identifying biomechanical targets to improve rehabilitation and device design for individuals with mobility impairments. She employs musculoskeletal modeling and machine learning to analyze lower-extremity biomechanics and predict intervention outcomes. Dr. Allen’s work is funded by NSF and NIH, targeting older adults and stroke survivors. She leads the Neuromechanics of Mobility (NeuroMob) Research Group.

Education: Postdoctoral Fellow at Emory University/Georgia Tech (Biomedical Engineering), Ph.D. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida.

Research interests include gait analysis, neuromuscular control, and fall risk reduction. Her studies explore how sensory feedback and motor modules influence mobility, with a focus on translating findings into clinical tools. Current projects examine the generalizability of motor adaptation across contexts and the role of proprioception in balance recovery.

Advising and grants: NSF DARE grant supports patient-in-the-loop neurorehabilitation modeling. Collaborative projects address stroke recovery, aging, and peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Allen’s team develops novel methods to quantify postural control and design assistive devices.