Katharine Polasek

Dr. Katharine Polasek serves as Professor of Engineering and Department Chair at Hope College, where she joined the faculty in 2010. She pioneered the biomedical engineering program, developing foundational courses including Rehabilitation Engineering, Biomedical Instrumentation, and specialty courses in biomechanics and bioelectrics. She also advises the campus chapter of the Society for Women Engineers.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University (2007)
• B.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan (2001)

Dr. Polasek specializes in neural engineering with a focus on restoring function for individuals with neurological disorders. Her research centers on developing electrical stimulation therapies to treat phantom limb pain in amputees, spanning rehabilitation engineering, biomechanics, and bioelectrics. Her work bridges fundamental neural mechanisms with clinical applications to improve patient outcomes.

Her publication record (2007-2018) demonstrates consistent innovation in neural stimulation technologies. Key themes include nerve cuff electrode design, surface stimulation for sensory restoration, and computational modeling of neural activation. These works advance neuroprosthetics and rehabilitation engineering, particularly for amputees and spinal cord injury patients.

No scientific awards are mentioned in the source material.

Dr. Polasek has secured significant research funding while actively mentoring students through course development and the Society for Women Engineers. Her grants include:

• NSF-RUI (2018-2021): "Treating Phantom Limb Pain with Electrically Induced Somatosensation"
• Michigan Space Grant Consortium (2017-2018): "EEG to Compare Actual and Electrically Activated Touch"
• Hope College Nyenhuis Award (2016-2017): "Electrical stimulation of sensation for phantom limb pain treatment"
• HHMI Grant (2015-2016): "Mathematical models for nerve activation in phantom limb pain treatment"
• Hope College Nyenhuis Award (2013-2014): "Sensory Stimulation for Phantom Limb Pain in Amputees"
• HHMI Grant (2012-2013): "Feasibility of non-invasive phantom limb pain treatment"

Her research operates through collaborative teams involving undergraduate students, focusing on translating neural engineering principles into clinical therapies for sensory restoration and pain management.