Abigail Carpenter Schmitt, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and in the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation at the University of Arkansas.  She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Northern Colorado.  She then completed her Ph.D. in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology in Applied Neuromechanics Laboratory at the University of Florida. Dr. Schmitt worked for the leading developer of motion capture technologies, Vicon Motion Systems.  She also spent several years as a biomechanics researcher in the Michael W. Krzyzewski Human Performance Lab at Duke University.

Research Focus
Dr. Schmitt is currently pursuing an interdisciplinary research program exploring the challenges associated with neuromuscular dysfunction. By combining techniques from biomechanics, medicine, neurophysiology and exercise science, she is improving assessments of human movement with the goal of improving neuromechanical control. Specifically, she is assessing measurement techniques to identify underlying gait instability in people with orthopedic diseases and neuromuscular dysfunction.

• Understanding how gait and postural control are altered by injury and disease.
• Factors that contribute to gait and balance instability in people with orthopedic diseases and neuromuscular dysfunction.
• Understanding the interaction between musculoskeletal biomechanics and sensorimotor control and coordination in human movement.
  Improving biomechanics measurement techniques to enhance performance and reduce pain.