Francine Leung

Fulbright-Loughborough University PhD Award

Francine graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2023 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an additional major in Biomedical Engineering. During her time at Carnegie Mellon, she was a member of the varsity track and field team, competing in the long jump and triple jump. She also worked as a part-time route setter at a local climbing gym. Her passion for sports inspired her to pursue research in biomechanics. 

While working as a research assistant in the Human Movement and Balance Lab at the University of Pittsburgh, Francine collaborated on a project to predict slips and falls during ladder climbing using a motion capture system and inertial measurement units (IMUs) 

At Loughborough, her research will focus on investigating the effects of running shoes and surface properties on running performance using forward dynamics musculoskeletal simulation. After the completion of her Ph.D., she hopes to apply her knowledge at a sports equipment or shoe manufacturing company and improve equipment for athletes in a way that enhances both safety and performance.  

Outside of academics, she plans to continue climbing through Loughborough’s mountaineering club and volunteer as a track coach in the local community with the university's Coach and Volunteer Academy.