Dr. Jessica Zendler holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, an M.S. in Kinesiology, and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Kinesiology. She has extensive experience in injury biomechanics and human performance. She investigates human movement as it relates to the cause and prevention of injury, its effect on physical and sport performance, and how it is affected by interactions with products and equipment in complex environments, such as the sports field or a warehouse floor. Her professional experience includes the evaluation of footwear, sports equipment, and wearable sensors. She is the Program Manager for the National Basketball Association (NBA) and NBA Players Association Wearables Validation Program, advises sports organizations and national governing bodies on sport technology, and conducts research and validation for product manufacturers, such as Adidas and Xenith (helmets).

Dr. Zendler’s doctoral research focused on understanding the mechanical properties of the knee cartilage in order to investigate the effect of knee injury on musculoskeletal health. After completing her Ph.D., Dr. Zendler spent several years researching sports and injury biomechanics at the University of Michigan, where she directed the Michigan Performance Research Laboratory and where she continues to maintain an adjunct research faculty position. During her academic career, she conducted research on the effects of footwear and equipment on biomechanics, performance, and user experience during sports and daily activities. She led movement analyses of athletic and non-athletic populations to understand the role of movement in injury, physical performance, and health, and specialized in the use of wearable technology to monitor individuals outside the lab. She remains active in research and continues to lecture on biomechanics, kinesiology, and sport technology.

Dr. Zendler is co-chair of the Sports Tech Research Network’s Quality Assessment of Sports Technologies Group, a member and conference abstract reviewer for the American Society of Biomechanics, and a member of the NBA Sport Science Committee, International Society of Biomechanics Footwear Technical Group, the ASTM International Committee F13 on Pedestrian/Walkway Safety, the Scientific Advisory Board of Xenith, and the Scientific Advisory Board of Know Labs.

• Mechanical Engineering and Kinesiology, Ph.D.: University of Michigan (2013)

• Mechanical Engineering, M.S.: University of Michigan (2012)

• Kinesiology, M.S.: University of Michigan (2010)

• Biomedical Engineering, B.S.: Washington University in St. Louis (2008)