Kat Daniels

Dr. Kat Daniels is a Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics at the Department of Biomechanics, Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanics, energetics, and control of locomotion in humans and animals, particularly in complex real-world environments such as obstacle negotiation, uneven terrain, and rapid directional changes. Her work integrates evolutionary principles of energy efficiency and stability with individual factors like personality and motor capacity to elucidate sensorimotor control and environmental interaction. Applications span rehabilitation, athletic performance optimization, assistive technologies, urban design, and exoskeleton development.

Teaching responsibilities include leading the Biomechanical Principles and Measurement Techniques module and contributing to Clinical Biomechanics. She supervises PhD/MRes students in areas like sports injuries, athletic performance, and motor control. Her research outputs emphasize biomechanical adaptations post-injury (e.g., ACL reconstruction), neuromuscular control in dynamic tasks, and gender-specific injury risk factors.

Key research themes include: 1) Biomechanics of obstacle traversal and energy optimization in movement; 2) Post-surgical recovery asymmetries in athletes; 3) Shoulder and knee biomechanics in collision sports; and 4) Development of evidence-based return-to-play criteria. Her studies often employ motion capture, isokinetic dynamometry, and advanced kinematic/kinetic analysis.

Dr. Daniels actively collaborates with sports medicine teams and rehabilitation professionals to translate findings into clinical and technological applications. She advocates for gender equity in biomechanics through initiatives like the International Women in Biomechanics network. Contact her via email for prospective graduate student inquiries or collaboration opportunities.