Míriam Febrer Nafria

Míriam Febrer Nafria is a researcher at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), affiliated with the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria Industrial de Barcelona (ETSEIB). She is a member of the BIOMEC - Biomechanical Engineering Lab and TecSalut - Research Group in Health Technologies, under the Institute of Research and Innovation in Health.

Her research focuses on biomechanics and musculoskeletal modeling, with particular emphasis on predictive simulation of human locomotion, gait analysis in neurological disorders, and assistive technologies. She investigates movement in conditions such as spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and post-operative recovery using computational models and optimal control methods.

The analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend in predictive simulation frameworks (e.g., PredSim), personalized modeling for rehabilitation, and the biomechanics of assistive devices such as crutches, walkers, and orthoses. Her work integrates experimental data with computational models to validate simulations and improve rehabilitation strategies.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• ESB Mobility Award 2020
• 3rd UPC Social Commitment Award

She has been involved in advising and collaborative research, particularly under the supervision of Prof. Josep Maria Font-Llagunes. Her work is supported by competitive R&D projects such as those funded by the Spanish National Program and RIS3CAT, focusing on health technologies and intelligent specialization. She actively contributes to scientific committees of international conferences, including the European Society of Biomechanics and the Ibero-American Congress on Assistive Technologies.

She leads and participates in research within the BIOMEC Lab, where interdisciplinary teams develop biomechanical models, simulation tools, and assistive robotic systems for clinical applications.