Sara Arena

Research Areas

• Biomechanics

Research Interests

• Cooperative learning strategies in engineering
• Problem-based learning within engineering
• Human movement biomechanics
• Postural balance and balance recovery
• Modeling and simulation of human movement

Teaching Interests

• Musculoskeletal biomechanics
• Modeling and simulation of human movement
• Introductory biomedical engineering
• Statics
• Dynamics
• Professional development

Education

• Virginia Tech: Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, 2011
• Virginia Tech: M.S., Biomedical Engineering, 2008
• Virginia Tech: B.S., Engineering Science and Mechanics, 2007

Awards, Honors, and Service

• Leader in Teaching, BEAM, Virginia Tech, May 2019 and 2023
• National Science Foundation, Panelist, 2018 - present
• Department of Defense and American Society of Engineering Education, Panelist, 2014 - present
• National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship, 2008-2011

Select Publications

Franck CT, Arena SL and Madigan ML. (2023). Approximate Bayesian Techniques for Statistical Model Selection and Quantifying Model Uncertainty-Application to a Gait Study. Ann Biomed Eng. 51 (2): 422-429. doi: 10.1007/s10439-022-03046-4. Epub 2022 Aug 20. PMID: 35987947.

Peebles AT, Arena SL, & Queen RM. (2021). A new method for assessing landing kinematics in non-laboratory settings. Physical Therapy in Sport, 49, 21-30. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.01.012

Arena SL, Lee YW, Verbridge SS, Muelenaer AA, VandeVord PJ, and Arena CB. Web Conferencing Facilitation within Problem-Based Learning Biomedical Engineering Courses. Biomedical Engineering Education, Teaching Tips Special Issue - COVID, doi:10.1007/s43683-020-00020-1.

Arena SL, Kenny MC, Muelenaer AA, Lee YW, VandeVord PJ, and Arena CB. “Work in Progress: Student and faculty perceptions of rotating faculty facilitators for introductory biomedical engineering problem-based learning”. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Engineering Education, Virtual Conference, June 21-24, 2020. 

Arena SL and Davis JL (2020). The concept-specific effects of cooperative learning in an introductory engineering mechanics dynamics course. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 1-11. doi:10.1080/14703297.2020.1777886.

Campelo SN, Valerio M, Ahmed HU, Hu Y, Arena SL, Neall II RE, Emberton M, and Arena CB (2017). An Evaluation of Irreversible Electroporation Thresholds in Human Prostate Cancer and Potential Correlations to Physiological Measurements. Applied Physics Letters Bioengineering 1 (1); 016101.

Arena SL, Garman CR, Nussbaum MA, Franck CT, and Madigan ML (2017). Required friction during overground walking is lower among obese compared to non-obese older men, but does not differ with obesity among women. Applied Ergonomics 62: 72-82.

Arena SL, McLaughlin K, Nguyen A, Smoliga JM, and Ford KR (2017). A Comparison of Body Segment Inertial Parameter Estimation Methods and Joint Moment and Power Calculations During a Drop Vertical Jump in Collegiate Female Soccer Players. Journal of Applied Biomechanics 33(1); 76-79. 

Arena SL, Davis JL, Grant JW, and Madigan ML (2016).  Tripping elicits earlier and larger deviations in linear head acceleration compared to slipping. PloS One  11(11); e0165670. 

Campelo SN, Valerio M, Ahmed HU, Hu Y, Arena SL, Neall II RE, Emberton M, and Arena CB (2017). An Evaluation of Irreversible Electroporation Thresholds in Human Prostate Cancer and Potential Correlations to Physiological Measurements. Applied Physics Letters Bioengineering 1 (1); 016101.

Arena SL, Garman CR, Nussbaum MA, Franck CT, and Madigan ML (2017). Required friction during overground walking is lower among obese compared to non-obese older men, but does not differ with obesity among women. Applied Ergonomics 62: 72-82.

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