Katie Knaus

Katie Knaus serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, where she directs the MyoEngineering Lab. Her research integrates mechanical engineering principles with myology to solve critical problems in human mobility, health, and performance through computational and experimental approaches.

Her educational background includes:

• BS in Mechanical Engineering and Physics, University of Virginia
• PhD in Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of California San Diego (Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance)

Dr. Knaus specializes in multiscale biomechanics of muscle-tendon systems, employing advanced finite element modeling to simulate 3D muscle and connective tissue structures. Her work investigates how musculoskeletal properties influence mobility across diverse populations, with particular focus on age, sex, exercise, and injury-related variations. Key methodologies include computational simulations of complex muscle-tendon mechanics and experimental measurements of human biomechanics and physiology.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2020-2024) reveals dominant themes in lower limb biomechanics, ocular mechanics, and muscle adaptation. Her research consistently applies computational modeling to address clinical challenges in presbyopia, athletic performance, and injury rehabilitation, with emerging work on cellular mechanotransduction and high-dimensional phenotyping of muscle morphology.

Scientific Awards: None reported in available materials.

As director of the MyoEngineering Lab, Dr. Knaus mentors students in biomechanics research and teaches courses including Introduction to Finite Element Analysis and Musculoskeletal Biomechanics. While specific grant details are unavailable, her work aligns with NIH/NSF priorities in rehabilitation engineering and human performance. Professional affiliations include the American Society of Biomechanics, American College of Sports Medicine, ASME Bioengineering Division, and International Women in Biomechanics.

The MyoEngineering Lab operates at the intersection of mechanical engineering and physiology, utilizing computational models and experimental techniques to advance understanding of muscle structure-function relationships for clinical and performance applications.