Assoc. Prof. Tatyana Yordanova is affiliated with the National Academy of Sports in Bulgaria, where she serves in the Faculty of Sports and Department of Technical and Ice Sports . She holds the academic rank of Associate Professor and has been leading the department since 2024. Education: Master's from State Central Institute of Physical Culture (1987); Doctorate in Sports Science (2019) Languages: English, Italian, Russian Her research focuses on technical elements in figure skating , speed-power abilities , balance stability , and judging systems . She has extensively studied jump mechanics and anthropometric factors in skaters. Her publications from 2018-2024 include studies on judging systems, jump techniques, and sports management. Key themes in her work involve training methodology, competition analytics, and biomechanics of skating. Since 2002, she has worked as an international figure skating judge, including at the Sochi 2014 Olympics . She chaired the Bulgarian Skating Federation (2011-2023) and participated in projects like Erasmus+ mobility (2022, 2024). Her pedagogical career includes roles as scientific assistant (1988), senior assistant (2006), and associate professor (2023).
Moa Jederström is a Medical Doctor and Clinical Researcher at Linköping University's Department of Health, Medicine and Care (HMV) , affiliated with the Athletics Research Center and Barnafrid (National Center for Knowledge on Violence Against Children). Her research focuses on youth athlete well-being, mental health in sports, and safeguarding children in sports environments. Doctor of Medical Science, 2025 ST Doctor (Specialist Registrar) in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2024 Medical Degree, 2021 Research Interests: Dr. Jederström's work explores health risks in young athletes, particularly in aesthetic sports like figure skating. Key research areas include: Sports injury prevention Mental health issues in youth athletes Nutritional challenges in competitive sports Safeguarding mechanisms in sports environments Scientific Contributions: Her 2025 thesis Physical and mental health among Swedish figure skaters revealed significant health risks intensified with age, while subsequent studies have examined: Social media's impact on athlete self-objectification Injury determinants in female skaters Intervention strategies for sports high schools Global child psychiatry workforce development Collaborations: Works with Prof. Toomas Timpka and Assist. Prof. Carolina Lundqvist on multiple projects, and collaborates with Monash University on disability sports research.
Steven Charles is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Brigham Young University. His research focuses on understanding human movement control, characterizing movement disorders, and developing robotic technologies for rehabilitation. He has held academic and research positions at institutions including MIT, Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Johns Hopkins University, and Kennedy Krieger Institute. Ph.D. in Mechanical and Medical Engineering from Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology (2008) M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT (2004) B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University (2001) Dr. Charles’s research lies at the intersection of biomechanics, neuroscience, and robotics. He investigates how humans control movement, the role of passive stiffness in wrist dynamics, and the application of technologies like rehabilitation robots and motion capture systems to assess and assist patients with movement disorders. His work has significant implications for neurorehabilitation and prosthetics. His recent publications emphasize essential tremor analysis, motor control in upper limb disorders, and the development of quantitative assessment tools using motion capture and robotics. Studies include tremor decomposition methods, coherence frameworks for motor inputs, and markerless monitoring systems for movement disorders. Dr. Charles has contributed extensively to neuromechanics and rehabilitation engineering, with a focus on translating biomechanical insights into clinical applications. His work spans both theoretical modeling and practical device development, including instrumented figure skating blades and compliant robots for human-robot interaction.
Dr. Linda Duffy is an Associate Professor in Psychology at Middlesex University, where she conducts research at the intersection of sport psychology, cognitive development, and behavioral rehabilitation. Her work spans diverse populations, from elite athletes to youth offenders and individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Research Interests: Her primary fields include sport psychology, expert performance, gender differences in motor skills, and psychological rehabilitation through physical activity. She investigates how mental skills, personality, and social context influence athletic performance and behavioral outcomes. The recent publications reflect a strong focus on darts as a model for studying expert performance, alongside broader inquiries into autism, youth sports dropout, and cross-cultural child development. Her work often employs mixed methods and comparative designs, emphasizing both empirical rigor and practical application. Scientific Engagement: While no formal awards are listed, her extensive publication record in journals such as Frontiers in Psychology and Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation underscores her academic impact. She also contributes to public discourse through blog posts on platforms like Psychreg. Advising and Collaboration: Dr. Duffy frequently collaborates with researchers such as Baluch, Ericsson, and Cohen. Though specific advisees are not named, her role as Associate Professor implies graduate student mentorship. Her research has been downloaded over 1,200 times, indicating strong academic engagement. Laboratories and Teams: While no formal lab name is mentioned, her research group appears to focus on sport and exercise psychology, with ongoing projects involving darts performance, rehabilitation through rugby, and cognitive development in children.
Dr. Ellen Geminiani is an Attending Physician at Boston Children's Hospital's Sports Medicine Division and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School. She serves as Chair of the Sports Science & Medicine Committee for US Figure Skating and Medical Director/Club MD at The Skating Club of Boston. With clinical expertise in figure skating injuries, dance medicine, and general musculoskeletal trauma, she provides care across multiple locations including Boston, Waltham, and Lexington. Wheaton College (Undergraduate) Albany Medical College (Medical School) Harrisburg Hospital (Family Practice Residency) Harrisburg Hospital (Sports Medicine Fellowship) Her research focuses on sports medicine with emphasis on figure skating injury patterns, dancer health, and concussion recovery dynamics. Key publications examine hallux sesamoid injuries in athletes, dual-task gait analysis post-concussion, and sport specialization impact on musculoskeletal development. Specializing in pediatric sports medicine, her clinical work integrates dance medicine and figure skating injury prevention. While no explicit awards are listed, her leadership roles with US Figure Skating and Boston Ballet affiliation demonstrate professional recognition. She works closely with Boston Children's Hospital's multidisciplinary team including orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and mental health specialists in the Sports Medicine Division.
Charles D. Rosen, M.D. is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, where he practices and teaches spinal surgery. He is also actively involved in medical ethics, serving as President of the Association for Medical Ethics, an organization he co-founded to combat industry influence in medicine. His research spans spinal biomechanics, surgical outcomes, and ethical challenges in orthopaedics. Dr. Rosen has published extensively on artificial disc replacement failures, spinal fusion, and the ethical implications of physician-industry relationships. His recent publications reflect a dual focus: advancing the biomechanical understanding of spinal motion and advocating for ethical transparency in medical practice. Articles from 2010–2018 emphasize informed consent, conflicts of interest, and complications of spinal procedures such as rhBMP-2 use and heterotopic ossification. U.S. Surgeon General short list for nomination by Obama administration in December 2008 Albert M. Betcher Scholarship Award for Fellowship Study in Orthopaedic Surgery Robert Hamburger Memorial Thesis Award - Runner-up for Senior Medical School Thesis Gold Medal in Figure Skating (Ice Dancing) Dr. Rosen has advised on ethical policy and testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging. He mentors medical students and residents at UCI and volunteers weekly at the Long Beach VA. His work integrates clinical excellence with a strong commitment to patient safety and ethical integrity. He is associated with research teams focusing on spinal biomechanics and outcomes, and leads initiatives through the Association for Medical Ethics to promote unbiased research and education in spine care.
Joanne C. Gerstner is a Lecturer and Brandt Fellow in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at Michigan State University (MSU), serving as coordinator of the Sports Journalism program. She teaches intermediate/advanced sports journalism courses, directs the Paris-Rome study abroad initiative, and participates in the MSU Athletics Department Faculty Council. Specializes in sports media, concussion research, women's leadership, and athlete mental health Author of 6 books including 2017 Clarion Award winner Back in the Game 2019-2023 Fulbright Specialist in journalism leadership Pioneering 2015 Jacobs Foundation neuroscience fellow Detroit Chapter Headliner Award winner Research Focus: Interdisciplinary examination of sports through neurological, sociological, and media lenses. Key areas include concussion impacts on youth athletes, gender equity in sports leadership, and media's role in mental health advocacy. Recognitions: 2021 Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame induction 2017 Faculty Impact Award winner 2020 Oakland University Distinguished Alumni 2014 Ann Miller Award for advancing women in media 2021 Brandt Fellowship for creative scholarship Industry Contributions: Regular expert commentary for CNN, BBC, and NPR. Former AWSM president and 2012-13 Knight-Wallace concussion researcher at University of Michigan.
Dr Samuel Wood is a Tutor in the Department of Sport and Exercise Science at Manchester Metropolitan University . A Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist (CPsychol) and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS), his work bridges academic research and applied practice in elite sport. He specializes in performance psychology, neurodiversity in sport, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) applications. Dr Wood collaborates with organizations like British Cycling, contributing to coach education systems and program design. His teaching spans undergraduate (Levels 3–7) and postgraduate programs, emphasizing evidence-based pedagogy and technology-enhanced learning. Core units include Research Methods, Sport Psychology Consultancy, and Professional Skills. He supervises trainees on British Psychological Society and Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences accreditation routes. Research interests include inclusive coaching practices, ACT interventions for athletes, and the psychological challenges faced by cycling coaches. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Health), 4 (Education), 10 (Inclusion), and 16 (Strong Institutions). Awards include Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Key Collaborations: British Cycling, National Governing Bodies of Sport Professional Memberships: BPS Division of Sport & Exercise Psychology, CASES Labs/Teams: Sport Psychology Research Group (MMU), British Cycling Education Team
Julie Han, MD is an Instructor at Harvard Medical School and Attending Physician in the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Department at Boston Children's Hospital. She specializes in non-surgical orthopedic care for conditions affecting tendons, bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments, with clinical sites in Peabody and Waltham, Massachusetts. As a Sports Medicine physician, Dr. Han prioritizes evidence-based conservative management approaches for active patients and athletes across all levels of competition. Dr. Han's educational background includes undergraduate studies at The Ohio State University, medical degree from Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Internal Medicine residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital, and dual fellowships in Sports Medicine at Cleveland Clinic and Musculoskeletal-Sports Ultrasound at Boston Children's Hospital. Her clinical and research interests focus on artistic sports medicine, musculoskeletal ultrasound applications, platelet-rich plasma, and regenerative medicine approaches. As a former professional figure skater who performed onboard cruise ships prior to her medical career, she maintains a unique perspective on performance-related injuries and serves as a team physician for United States Figure Skating. Dr. Han's publications from 2018-2023 demonstrate consistent research activity in specialized areas including figure skating injuries, musculoskeletal considerations during pregnancy, ultrasound-guided interventions, and lower back pain in weightlifters. Her work shows particular expertise in translating clinical ultrasound findings into practical treatment approaches for athletes. Board certified by both the American Board of Emergency Medicine (Sports Medicine) and the American Board of Internal Medicine (General), Dr. Han provides comprehensive care for conditions including ankle sprains, hip pain, Osgood-Schlatter disease, overuse injuries, patellofemoral pain, plantar fasciitis, Sever's disease, sprains and strains, stress fractures, and tennis elbow. Dr. Han's approach emphasizes individualized care to help patients return to active and healthy lifestyles, whether they are high-level athletes with acute injuries, recreational athletes with chronic conditions, or elderly patients seeking to maintain activity levels. Her dual background in internal medicine and sports medicine provides a holistic perspective on athlete care.
Dr. Kathryn Ross is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chiropractic Science at the University of Western States (UWS), where she has been employed since 2016. She graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in 2009 and holds a bachelor's degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. Her clinical and academic work integrates mentoring chiropractic interns with patient care focused on prenatal, post-partum, and pediatric chiropractic needs, as well as sports injury rehabilitation. Dr. Ross combines her professional expertise with a background in competitive gymnastics and figure skating. She actively coaches and organizes strength and conditioning programs for a local gymnastics club. Her personal interests include outdoor activities in the Pacific Northwest, such as wakeboarding, skiing, and paddleboarding with her family.
Lyle Micheli, MD is an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, and serves as a Part Time Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School. He maintains clinical practice at Boston Children's Hospital's Sports Medicine Division with locations in Boston, Norwood (at The Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention), and Waltham. Dr. Micheli earned his BS from Harvard College in 1962 and his MD from Harvard Medical School in 1966. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery in both General Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. His research focuses on pediatric and adolescent sports injuries, with particular expertise in ACL injuries, figure skating injuries, dance medicine, and overuse injuries in young athletes. Dr. Micheli has pioneered research on skeletally immature patients with ACL injuries and has contributed significantly to understanding growth plate considerations in pediatric orthopedic surgery. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a continued focus on ACL injuries in pediatric populations, with increasing attention to psychological readiness for return to sport, sex differences in outcomes, and advanced imaging techniques for assessment. His work spans clinical outcomes research, biomechanical studies, and innovative surgical techniques like bridge-enhanced ACL restoration. Dr. Micheli serves in several prominent roles including as Board of Directors for the US Rugby Football Foundation, Team Physician for US Figure Skating, and Finish Line Director for the Boston Marathon. His clinical practice specializes in Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury, Orthopedic Trauma, Performing Artist Athletes Program, and the Throwers Clinic. At The Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention in Norwood, he leads efforts in sports injury prevention and treatment, particularly focusing on young athletes across various sports disciplines. His work bridges clinical practice with academic research to advance pediatric sports medicine.
Håkan Gauffin is an Associate Professor and Senior Physician at the Orthopedic Clinic of Linköping University. He holds dual affiliations with the Department of Surgery, Orthopaedics and Oncology (KOO) and the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV). Dr. Gauffin's research spans multiple domains within sports medicine, with primary focus on knee injuries, athletics, and football. His work has evolved from biomechanics and orthopedic surgeries to incorporate psychological and contextual factors. Key research areas include: Long-distance running (both elite and recreational) Women's soccer (where he serves as team doctor) Figure skating injury mechanisms Advanced knee imaging using MRI and CT through CMIV collaboration Cardiac screening in sports physiology His recent publications demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches to understanding injury mechanisms, treatment efficacy, and prevention strategies across various sports. The NACOX study on ACL injuries represents a significant longitudinal investigation into surgical versus nonsurgical approaches. As an educator, Dr. Gauffin is the primary responsible for the four-week elective Sports Medicine course within the K10 medical education program at Linköping University, where he teaches orthopedics and knee injury management. He actively contributes to the Athletics Research Center (ARC), an international hub for interdisciplinary athletics research, and collaborates with the Center for Medical Imaging and Visualization (CMIV) on advanced diagnostic techniques for sports injuries.
Erica Rand is a Professor of Art and Visual Culture and Gender and Sexuality Studies at Bates College. Her work centers on queer and trans studies, particularly through the lens of sports and embodied practice. She co-leads a gender non-conforming adult figure skating pairs team with Anna Kellar, advocating for inclusion in a historically exclusionary sport. Rand has authored several books including Skating Away From the Binary (2025), which critiques gender binaries in figure skating, and Barbie’s Queer Accessories (2020), analyzing queer material culture. She also serves as co-editor of the Writing Matters! series for Duke University Press. Her current courses explore intersections of gender and visual culture, research methods in art studies, and a first-year seminar on challenging gender binaries in sports. Rand’s research spans anti-racism, queer migration studies, and the politics of teaching. Her activism extends into institutional reform through her role as inaugural Faculty Fellow at Bates’ Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning. Her work bridges academic writing with embodied practice, using skating as a site to challenge racialized heteronormativity. Collaborations with the Future of Figure Skating podcast highlight her commitment to transforming sport through critical engagement.
Professor Toni Arndt holds a dual role as Professor of Biomechanics at The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH) and Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics at Karolinska Institutet, where he also directs the Podiatry program. He leads the Biomechanics section within the Department of Physiology, Nutrition and Biomechanics at GIH. His research focuses on tendon loading asymmetries, muscle-tendon interactions in sports, foot biomechanics influenced by footwear, and cycling biomechanics. With a PhD from the German Sport University Cologne, his career spans over two decades, including roles at Karolinska Institute and extensive collaborations internationally. Education: Undergraduate in New Zealand; PhD (1993-1997) on Achilles tendon asymmetry at Köln. Leadership: President-elect of the International Footwear Biomechanics Group (ISB-affiliated). Research interests center on Achilles tendon strain measurement, injury prevention through footwear innovation, and optimizing athletic performance via biomechanical analysis. His work bridges experimental biomechanics with clinical applications, notably in para-athletics and aging populations. Over 90+ publications span peer-reviewed journals like Sports Biomechanics and Journal of Biomechanics . Awards: Not explicitly named, but recognized through professional leadership roles. Grants and advising: Extensive research funding (not detailed here) and supervision of numerous collaborative projects. Active in peer review for journals including Journal of Biomechanics . Labs/Teams: Head of biomechanics laboratory at GIH, collaborating with international groups on footwear and sports injury research.
Lina Lundgren is a Senior Lecturer at Halmstad University, affiliated with the School of Business, Innovation and Sustainability and serving as Acting Head of the Engineering & Innovation department. Her research focuses on Health Technology, Health Innovation, Information-driven care, and Biomechanics, with a strong emphasis on AI-driven decision support systems in healthcare. She actively leads projects within the CAISR Health research profile and the National Research School of Health Innovation, supervising three doctoral students in Health and Lifestyle, and Innovation Science. Her teaching spans Mechanical Engineering, Sustainable Design, Innovation, and Biomedicine with a specialization in exercise physiology. Key research initiatives include developing AI-based tools to reduce hospital readmissions for heart failure patients and enhancing digital transformation in healthcare systems. She has published extensively on topics ranging from AI in mental health decision support to biomechanical analyses of sports injuries and performance. Recent work highlights interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in aligning technological innovations with clinical needs through rigorous implementation science frameworks. Her projects emphasize stakeholder engagement, usability analysis, and ethical considerations in healthcare technology adoption.
