Staff Leadership

Amelia Knarr, PhD

Executive Director

al.knarr@perryinitiative.org

Dr. Amelia Knarr is the Executive Director for The Perry Initiative. She has a Ph.D. in Biomechanics and Movement Science from University of Delaware where she studied neuromuscular control after anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Previously, she worked as an Instructor and Outreach Coordinator at the University of Nebraska at Omaha where she taught courses on Biomechanical Statics & Dynamics, Ethics of Scientific Research, and Orthopedic Biomechanics. Dr. Knarr aims to develop and implement innovative and impactful youth STEM experiences through the lens of biomechanics. She is a native of the Pacific Northwest and now lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband Brian, her two kids, and their two cats.

Tara Sinicropi, MPH

Program Manager

tsinicropi@perryinitiative.org

Tara is a mission-driven program manager with nearly a decade of experience in program development, community engagement, and volunteer management, with a background spanning hunger relief, mentorship, and equity-focused initiatives. Tara earned her Master of Public Health and a B.A. in Anthropology from Baylor University and lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and two young daughters. In her free time, she enjoys experiencing new cultures through travel, trying new recipes, and camping with her family.

Staff Specialists

Rachel Bonfini

Logistics Lead

Rachel is a Mechanical Engineering PhD student at the University of Delaware and joined the Perry Initiative team in Spring 2025. She received her Bachelor's degree in Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering from Penn State University. Her research focuses on additive manufacturing of orthopedic implants for guided bone regeneration and enhanced implant integration, with the goal of reducing graft failure rates and improving patient outcomes through bioinspired architectures and bioresorbable scaffolds.

Kayley Hart

Logistics

Kayley is an undergraduate student at the University of Delaware studying biomedical engineering with minors in dance, disability studies, and biomechanical engineering. She currently does pre-Alzheimer's research in the Mechanical Neuroimaging Lab and hopes to continue to graduate school to complete her PhD in biomedical engineering.

Kristy McGuire

Program Support

Anika Sen

Logistics

Anika Sen is a senior Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Delaware and a member of ASME. She has worked with biomechanical mechatronics, robotics, and medical technology through the Institute for Engineering Driven Health (IEDH) and other research labs. She plans to pursue a career developing innovative healthcare solutions that enhance patient outcomes and advance the field of orthopaedic engineering.

Jania Williams

Logistics

Jania Williams is a PhD candidate in Biomechanics and Kinesiology at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Her research focuses on exoskeletons, assistive technologies, and rehabilitation strategies to improve mobility and functional outcomes in clinical populations. She is also passionate about STEM outreach, serving on advisory boards and leading programs that expose students to biomechanics and engineering at an early age.

Perry Initiative Fellows

Kikelola Afolabi-Brown

Kikelola Afolabi-Brown is a medical student at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, NJ. She is currently on a research year for Orthopedic Surgery. Kikelola received her Bachelor of Science in Anthropology and Human Biology from Emory University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education, and a Masters of Science in Medical Sciences from the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Kikelola is passionate about education, mentorship, and service, and she is excited to be joining the Perry Initiative as a fellow for the 2025-2026 year.

Frances Akwuole

Frances Akwuole is a fourth-year medical student at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and a spine research fellow at Northwestern Medicine. Her current research focuses on the use of peptide amphiphiles for the optimization of spinal fusion capacity. Frances received a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and an American Sign Language Certificate from the University of Pittsburgh. Frances has a passion for teaching and mentorship and is excited to be a part of the Perry Initiative team!

Stacy Bawuah

Stacy Bawuah is a rising 4th year medical student at Quinnipiac University Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine pursuing a research year. She earned a BS in Molecular & Cell Biology from UConn and an MS from Elms College. She is passionate about academic medicine, STEM, and pipeline programming. Stacy has served as SNMA Region VII Director, class president, and an AmeriCorps member. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her dog Bella.

Mac Bradbeer

Mac Bradbeer is a recent graduate of Arizona State University where she earned her BS in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Biomedical Devices and a minor in Music. During undergrad, she worked with Phoenix Children's Hospital to develop an adaptive spinal implant for pediatric kyphosis patients and is currently working as a Manufacturing Engineer at BMSEED while applying to graduate school. She is a Perry Alumni and passionate about expanding access to biomedical engineering.

Christina Capobianco

Christina Capobianco is a Ph.D. student in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at the State University of New York at Binghamton. Her research is focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying impaired fracture healing and improving healing through therapeutic intervention. Christina began volunteering with the Perry initiative in 2022 and became a Fellow in 2024.

Tiana Clemons

Tiana Clemons is a third-year medical student and Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force pursuing a career in orthopaedic surgery. She is deeply committed to increasing diversity within the field and supporting future physicians through mentorship and outreach. Tiana is especially drawn to the intersection of musculoskeletal health, advocacy, and hands-on surgical care.

Kaitlyn Downer

Kaitlyn Downer is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Florida. She received her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Delaware. Her research is focused on using musculoskeletal modeling to understand mobility in older adults and individuals with neuromuscular impairments.

Anna Freund

Anna Freund is a third year Ph.D. student in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Delaware. Her research focuses on using mechanoresponsive molecules to understand fundamental interfacial mechanics of polymer composites. Anna received her B.A. in Chemistry from Smith College in 2020 and M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Washington in 2022. Anna is excited to be a part of the Perry Initiative for the 2025-2026 year.

Alli Grunkemeyer

Alli Grunkemeyer is a Ph.D. candidate in Biomechanics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she investigates haptic perception and stochastic resonance in populations with sensorimotor deficits. Her research integrates biomechanics, nonlinear dynamics, and sensory feedback to enhance perception and motor control, particularly in prosthesis users. She is passionate about applying science to rehabilitation and expanding access to STEM through outreach and mentorship.

Mickayla Harris

Mickayla Harris is a Mechanical Design Engineer at W.L. Gore & Associates, where she focuses on machine design for the life sciences industries. She received her Mechanical Engineering degree with a minor in Biomechanical Engineering from the University of Delaware. Mickayla has a passion for teaching and mentorship and is excited to continue learning through the Perry Initiative program as a Fellow for the 2025-2026 year.

Hana Kalčo

Hana Kalčo is a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at Boston University. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Cell and Tissue Engineering and a minor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Rochester. Her research uses a unique explant co-culture of muscle, tendon, and bone to understand the influence of tissue crosstalk and sustained inflammatory processes to multi-tissue degeneration during rotator cuff injury. Hana joined the Perry Initiative as a Fellow in the fall of 2023.

Swara Kalva

Swara Kalva is a medical student at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. She is currently on a research year at NYU Langone Health working with the Division of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Swara received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences with a specialization in Global Health Studies from the University of Chicago. She is excited to be joining the Perry Initiative team as a Fellow for the 2025-2026 year!

Julia Nicolescu

Julia Nicolescu is a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She earned her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, with a minor in Spanish, from Union College in 2022, where she researched embryonic heart and brain biomechanics. Now in the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Lab, Julia studies bone stress injuries in athletes using motion capture and computational modeling, with a broader interest in how social, economic, and political structures influence engineering, medicine, and education.

Ashley Rosenberg

Ashley Rosenberg is a medical student at New York Medical College currently completing a yearlong research fellowship in orthopedic sports medicine at University Orthopedics, affiliated with Brown University. Her research focuses on injury prevention, surgical innovation, and performance outcomes in athletes. She earned her BS in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology from Emory University. As a former president of her school’s American Medical Women’s Association chapter, Ashley is passionate about mentorship and outreach, and she is thrilled to be joining the Perry Initiative team as a fellow.

Maneesha Sahni

Maneesha Sahni is a Ph.D. student in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Delaware. She received her Bachelor's in Science in Engineering (Concentration in Biomedical Engineering) from Drexel University. Her current research focuses on understand and improving the fracture mechanics of high solids loaded polymer composites. Previously Maneesha was doing research to develop nanoparticles for the diagnostics and treatment of endometriosis. She is passionate about creating opportunities to introduce students to the wonders of STEM.

Jacquelyn Xu

Jacquelyn Xu is a medical student at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, NY. She is currently on at research year at NYU Langone with the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Division of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Jackie received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Northwestern University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. She is excited to be joining the Perry Initiative as a fellow for the 2024-2025 year.