Sommer L. Amundsen

Sommer is a 2008 – 2012 Self Fellow pursuing a Ph.D. in bioengineering.  She received a B.S. (2007) in a dual major of engineering with a mechanical emphasis and dance from Hope College in Holland, Mich.  At Hope, Sommer was on the Dean’s List each semester and also received numerous awards and grants including a four-year Presidential Scholarship. As a student she was involved with Strike Time and Sacred Dance Companies.  As part of her senior design project she helped design a water system for a small rural village in Cameroon through Engineers Without Borders.  She was also involved in undergraduate research at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.  During her first year in the bioengineering program at KU she helped design a tool to be used in spine surgery.  Sommer is involved in multidisciplinary research developing effective physical therapies for people with Parkinson’s Disease.  She hopes to use her knowledge of the science of movement in industry, therapy and possibly entrepreneurship.  Mentor:  Carl W. Luchies, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering.