Directory

Kimberly Bigelow

Interim Associate Dean for Academics and Student Success; Professor; Joint Appointment with Bioengineering Graduate Program; Director Engineering Wellness through Biomechanics Lab

Full-Time Faculty

School of Engineering: Office of the Dean, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Profile

Dr. Bigelow's primary research focus is in the area of biomechanics. She studies human movement to understand and improve how individuals walk, move and balance. A primary research interest is in the use of force plates and wearable sensors to measure and analyze an individual's postural control and determine if they are at likely risk of falling. Working closely with her collaborators in the department of physical therapy and health and sports science, she conducts transdisciplinary research to help individuals with neurological and other health conditions improve their movement and quality of life. Dr. Bigelow has a long-standing history engaging students in creating assistive devices and adaptive equipment as well as co-designing in tandem with individuals with disabilities, their families and their care teams. Dr. Bigelow's research also includes a focus on undergraduate research engagement, driven by her own work engaging undergraduate students in the Engineering Wellness through Biomechanics Lab.

Learn more about Engineering Wellness through Biomechanics Lab

Selected Publications

• Smith K, K. Jackson, K. Edginton-Bigelow, and L. Laubach. A multi-directional treadmill training program for improving gait, balance, and mobility in individuals with Parkinson’s disease: A case series. International Journal of Exercise Science. Accepted.
• Taylor M., E. Sutton, W. Diestelkamp, and K. Edginton Bigelow. (2015, June). Subtle difference during posturography can influence postural sway results: The effects of talking, time prior to data acquisition, and visual fixation Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 31(5). doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jab.2014-0279
• Edginton Bigelow, K. In press. Raising awareness of universal design in an engineering curriculum: Strategies and reflections. Invited chapter in Universal Design in Higher Education: From Principles to Practice – 2nd Edition, ed. Sheryl Burgstahler and Rebecca Cory.
• Smoot S., K. Jackson, and K. Edginton Bigelow. In press. Using posturography methods to examine the immediate effects of a vestibular swing therapy session on children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A feasibility study. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics. Currently available on-line. doi:10.3109/01942638.2014.975313
• Edginton Bigelow, K., and K. Jackson. 2014. The immediate influence of carbon composite ankle foot orthoses on balance and gait in individuals with Peripheral Neuropathy: A pilot study. Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics 26, no. 4: 220-227.
• Jackson, K., and K. Edginton Bigelow. 2013. Measures of balance performance are affected by a rested versus fatigued testing condition in people with multiple sclerosis. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) 5, no. 11: 949-956.
• Jackson, K., and K. Edginton Bigelow. 2013. Kickboxing: A creative approach to improving balance in patients with MS. Lower Extremity Review. (March). Edginton Bigelow, K. 2012. Designing for success: Developing engineers who consider Universal Design principles. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability (Just, Usable, Sustainable, Transformational Design Special Issue) 25, no. 3: 211-225.
• Bigelow, K.E. 2012. Student perspectives in an all-female first-year engineering innovation course. International Journal of Engineering Education: Special Edition for Mudd Design Workshop VIII: Design Education: Innovation and Entrepreneurship 28, no. 2: 286-292.
• Jackson, K., K. Edginton-Bigelow, C. Cooper, and H. Merriman. 2012. A group kickboxing program for balance, mobility, and quality of life in individuals with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy 36: 131-137.
• Jackson, K, K. Edginton-Bigelow, C. Bowshire, M. Weston, and E. Grant. 2012. Feasibility and effects of a group kickboxing program for individuals with multiple sclerosis: A pilot report. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 16, no. 1: 7-13.
• Edginton Bigelow, K., and N. Berme. 2011. Development of a protocol for improving the clinical utility of posturography as a fall-risk screening tool. Journal of Gerontology A: Biological and Medical Sciences 66A, no. 2: 228-233.
• Edginton Bigelow, K. 2010. Utilizing on-line forums within course management systems to create beneficial relationships between first-year students and practicing engineers. Journal of Applications and Practices in Engineering Education 1, no. 2: 70-78.
• Edginton Bigelow, K. 2010. Reflections of college students promoting engineering through biomechanical outreach activities indicate dual benefits. Proceedings of the 117th Annual American Society of Engineering Education Conference and Exposition.
• Edginton Bigelow, K., G. Wheatley, and D. Tomasko. 2010. Gains in knowledge and perception of engineering after participation in an engineering design web-experience are gender-dependent. Proceedings of the 117th Annual American Society of Engineering Education Conference and Exposition.
• Edginton Bigelow, K. 2009. Detrended fluctuation analysis of center of pressure data reveal underlying complexity of postural control. ASME Early Career Technical Journal: Proceedings of the 2009 Early Career Technical Conference 8: 11.1-11.7.
• Edginton (Bigelow), K.A., and N. Berme. 2008. Usage of fractal analysis in evaluating health and disease. In Technology and Aging: Selected Papers from the 2007 International Conference on Technology and Aging, ed. A. Mihailidis, J. Boger, H. Kautz, and L. Normie, 97-104. Amsterdam: IOS Press.
• Bigelow, C., K.A. (Bigelow) Edginton, M. Talaty, and N. Berme. 2007. Better fits for lower-limb prosthetics. Proceedings at the Growing Older with a Disability, June 16-19, in Toronto, Canada.
• Edginton (Bigelow), K.A., H.C. Guler, J.J. Ober, and N. Berme. 2007. Instrumented treadmills: Reducing need for gait labs. Proceedings at the 30th Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Conference, June 16-19, in Toronto, Canada.

Selected Research and Work

• Director, Engineering Wellness Through Biomechanics Lab
• Safety with every step they take: Fall prevention assessment and intervention for older adults with dementia participating in Easter Seals Adult Day Services. Del Mar Grant. Multi-institute effort between Goodwill Easter Seals, Reach Out Montgomery, University of Dayton and Wright State University. 9/14-8/16.
• Assistive device design projects: Addressing everyday needs for patients of Kettering Health Network’s NeuroRehab and Balance Center. Kettering Medical Center Foundation Grants. Renewed annually since 11/11.
• Changing mindsets: Framing design-for-the-disabled and other service-learning projects as entrepreneurial opportunities. Kern Family Foundation – Kern Entrepreneurship Engineering Network (KEEN) Topical Grant. 5/13-6/14.

Selected Honors and Awards

• Nominee for American Society of Engineering Education – North Central Section Outstanding Teaching Award, 2013, 2014
• Top Engineering Female Professor, University of Dayton Society of Women Engineers, 2011
• American Society of Engineering Education Women in Engineering Division Apprentice Educator Award, 2010
• U.S. Bone and Joint Decade's Young Investigators Initiative Selection, 2010
• Best Presentation Award — Biomechanics/Human Factors, American Society of Mechanical Engineers Dayton Engineering Sciences Symposium, 2009