Sara Arena

Lab

Granata Lab

Research Areas

• Biomechanics

Research Interests

• Cooperative learning strategies in engineering
• Problem-based learning within engineering
• Human movement biomechanics
• Postural balance and balance recovery
• Modeling and simulation of human movement

Teaching Interests

• Musculoskeletal biomechanics
• Modeling and simulation of human movement
• Introductory biomedical engineering
• Statics
• Dynamics
• Professional development

Education

• Virginia Tech: Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, 2011
• Virginia Tech: M.S., Biomedical Engineering, 2008
• Virginia Tech: B.S., Engineering Science and Mechanics, 2007

Awards, Honors, and Service

• Leader in Teaching, BEAM, Virginia Tech, May 2019 and 2023
• National Science Foundation, Panelist, 2018 - present
• Department of Defense and American Society of Engineering Education, Panelist, 2014 - present
• National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship, 2008-2011

Select Publications

Rathod, V, Vasquez BN, Teater MA, Arena SL, and Queen RM. (2026). Biofeedback Impact on Limb Stiffness and Joint Power in Patients With ACL Reconstruction-A Secondary Analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 44(1), e70131. https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.70131

Hansen RM, Weiss SI, Arena SL, and Queen RM. (2026). Bilateral Balance Improves in Low and High Fall Risk Groups after Unilateral Total Ankle Arthroplasty. Journal of Clinical Biomechanics, 131, 106719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2025.106719

Choudhury R, Arena SL, and Queen RM. (2026). Dynamic Margin of Stability During Walking Differs Between End-stage Hip, Knee, and Ankle Arthritis. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 44 (2), e70091. https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.70091

Barylak M, Arena SL, Hamlin S, Queen RM. (2025) Gait Stability During Gait Improves Following Unilateral Total Ankle Arthroplasty. Journal of Orthopaedic Research ;43(2):388-395. doi: 10.1002/jor.25992. Epub 2024 Oct 10. PMID: 39390826; PMCID: PMC11701398.

Carpentier S, Barylak M, Arena SL, and Queen RM. (2024). Gait asymmetry persists following unilateral and bilateral total ankle arthroplasty. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. ISSN 0736-0266, https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.25932.

Kugach K, Stark NEP, Farah HG, Hansen RM, Arena SL, and Queen RM. (2024). Total Ankle Arthroplasty Improves Gait Symmetry. Gait and Posture. 113: 272-9, ISSN 0966-6362, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2024.06.022.

Gioia A, Libera T, Burks WG, Arena SL, Hamel RN, and Zukowski L. (2024). The Effect of Virtual Reality Treadmill Training on Obstacle Crossing Performance in Older Adults. Human Movement Science. 96, 103247, ISSN 0167-9457, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2024.103247.

Hansen RM, Arena SL, and Queen RM. (2024). Validation of Upper Extremity Kinematics using Markerless Motion Capture. Biomedical Engineering Advances. In Press, 100128, ISSN 2667-0992, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bea.2024.100128.

Barylak M, Arena SL, Hamlin S, Queen RM. (2024). End-Stage Ankle Arthritis Alters Dynamic Stability During Gait as Measured by Margin of Stability Between Limbs and Compared to Healthy Controls. Gait & Posture. 113: 13-17,  ISSN 0966-6362, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2024.05.021.

Hansen RM, Arena SL, and Queen RM. (2024). Characterizing upper extremity kinematics in typically developing children during box and blocks test. Journal of Biomechanics. 163, 111946. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2024.111946

Arena SL, Lee YW, Verbridge SS, Muelenaer AA, VandeVord PJ, and Arena CB. (2021). Web Conferencing Facilitation within Problem-Based Learning Biomedical Engineering Courses. Biomedical Engineering Education, Teaching Tips Special Issue - COVID, doi:10.1007/s43683-020-00020-1.

Arena SL and Davis JL. (2020). The concept-specific effects of cooperative learning in an introductory engineering mechanics dynamics course. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 1-11. doi:10.1080/14703297.2020.1777886.

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