Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Kinesiology, University of Georgia, 2017
  • M.S., Textile Engineering, North Carolina State University, 2013
  • B.S., Textile Engineering, North Carolina State University, 2011
Licenses & Certifications
  • NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist (MD)
  • NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist (MD)
Professional Honors
  • Tau Beta Pi
  • New Investigator Award, 1st Place Poster Presentation, International Society of Biomechanics in Sports, 2017

Dr. Walker's areas of expertise include biomechanical analysis of the spine and lower extremities in various sport movements as well as textile comfort, moisture management, and heat stress mitigation with personal protective equipment. Specifically, she has studied gait, jumping, drop-landing, throwing, cutting, and stair ascent as they relate to sport performance and/or the development of injury with athletes and clinical populations with or without the use of athletic equipment. 

Dr. Walker has investigated the effects of multiple rib protector garments from large sports equipment companies on the performance and spinal mobility of quarterbacks while completing an overhand football pass. Additionally, she has evaluated methodologies used to quantify fabric- and garment-level effects on heat stress and has collected and interpreted data with these measures for various protective and/or athletic garments. She has consulted for several sport technology and equipment companies in various phases of research and development of their products.

Her biomechanical research studies have included the use of motion capture, force plates, electromyography, and dynamometry technology to assess movements. Additionally, she has utilized several moisture management, dry heat transfer, and evaporative resistance measurement systems, including instrumented manikins and physiological wear trials to assess the effects of various textile configurations in government, military, and athletic applications.

As a former athlete, personal trainer, corrective exercise specialist, and performance enhancement specialist, Dr. Walker is able to use a multifaceted approach, in conjunction with her research expertise, to assist clients with evaluating questions related to evaluating human performance and product development.