Staff Leadership

Amelia Knarr, PhD

Executive Director

[email protected]

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.

Alli Grunkemeyer, Ph.D.

Program Manager

[email protected]

Alli Grunkemeyer is the Program Manager for The Perry Initiative. She has a Ph.D. in Biomechanics from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she investigated haptic perception and stochastic resonance in populations with sensorimotor deficits. Her research integrated 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.

Staff Specialists

Jania Williams

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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.

Maddie Rozmajzl

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Maddie Rozmajzl is a second-year Master's student in the Department of Biomechanics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is a student ambassador at her university and has a strong passion for STEM outreach. She is driven to inspire the next generation to explore STEM and showing them the exciting possibilities that a career in these fields can offer.

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!

Carsyn Dykes

Carsyn Dykes is a medical student at SUNY Upstate in Syracuse, NY. She is currently engaging in a research year at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where her work centers on pediatric orthopaedic sports medicine, specifically patellofemoral instability and outcomes in pediatric populations. She earned her BS in Biology from Siena College, where she discovered a passion for mentoring and outreach - a passion that's grown into a lifelong mission to lift others as she climbs, contribute to building the pipeline for future surgeons, and hold the door open for those coming after her. Carsyn is thrilled to be a part of the Perry Initiative team. In her free time, she can be found in the gym or with her two cats (Sartorius and Oddi) and her mini goldendoodle (Mylo).

Ruby Rader

Ruby is a medical student at George Washington University currently completing an orthopaedic sports medicine research fellowship at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. She is passionate about pursuing a career in orthopaedic surgery, with particular interests in sports medicine, mentorship, and advancing opportunities for women in the field. Outside of medicine, she enjoy running, trying new restaurants, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She is excited to be a Perry Initiative Fellow and to help inspire the next generation of women interested in orthopaedics and engineering.

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.

Georgia Sullivan

Georgia grew up near Philadelphia (Go Birds!) before moving to Arizona for school. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in Biomedical Engineering at Arizona State University and attended medical school at Mayo Clinic Arizona. She is currently a research fellow with the trauma service at Florida Orthopaedic Institute in Tampa and will be applying for Orthopaedic Surgery residency this year. Georgia loves spending time outdoors playing ultimate frisbee, hiking, paddleboarding, and skiing. She has two cats (WIllow and Juniper) who do not enjoy any of those activities.

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.

Karen Walker

Karen is a third-year PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah. Her research focuses on applying biomechanics to the development of assistive technologies that improve mobility and reduce disability, with a particular focus on powered prostheses for individuals with lower-limb amputation. She is passionate about using engineering to improve the quality of life and is excited to share that passion through The Perry Initiative. Outside of research, she enjoys running, biking, swimming, doing yoga, and spending time outdoors. She is also an avid animal lover and especially loves dogs!

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!

Tracy Eng

Tracy Eng is an MD-PhD student at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. She graduated from Emory University, where she worked as a research specialist in the Orthopaedics Department for two years. Her research focused on developing stem cell therapies for osteoarthritis. She is now beginning her first year of her PhD in Upstate’s Ophthalmology Department. Her research utilizes hydrogels to study the trabecular meshwork in the eye’s outflow tract. She hopes to carry what she learns from the eye field back to orthopaedics in the future as a physician-scientist. In her free time, Tracy enjoys running, hiking,
and spending time with her cat, Eigen (yes, the name came from eigenvalues and vectors).

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.

Hana Kalco

Hana Kalco 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 cross-talk and sustained inflammatory processes to multi-tissue degeneration during rotator cuff injury.

Kayley Hart

Kayley recently graduated from the University of Delaware with a Honors Bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering and has chosen to continue to pursue a 4+1 program to earn her Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Her undergraduate research focused on how magnetic resonance elastography can be used as a predictor for Alzheimer's disease and her current master's thesis work evaluates breast biomechanics and impact to female athletes in high impact sports. Outside of school, she continues to pursue her greatest passion of dance, but also loves quality family time and getting to visit her two dogs back home, Sophie and Turbo!