About Me

I am a fourth-year PhD Candidate, co-advised in both the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington. I am also a student member of the Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences (CREATE) at the University of Washington. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame with a minor in bioengineering. My research is at the intersection of biomechanics, accessibility, and rehabilitation medicine and focuses on the design and translation of mobility and accessible play technologies for young children. My goal in my work is to “just let kids be kids” exploring the world around them.

Research Interests

1. On-time Mobility
2. Accessible Play Technologies
3. Environmental Accessibility

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Featured Publications

1. Hoffman, Mia E., Katherine M. Steele, Jon E. Froehlich, Kyle N. Winfree, and Heather A. Feldner. “Off to the Park: A Geospatial Investigation of Ride-on Car Usage.” Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2024. [link]
2. Abuatiq, Reham A., Mia E. Hoffman, Alyssa L. Fiss, Julia Looper, Heather A. Feldner. “Exploring the Efficacy of a Dynamic Harness System on Gross Motor Development and Motivation for Infants With Down Syndrome: A Pilot Study.” Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2024. [link]
3. Hoffman, Mia E., Bethany Sloane, Anna Fragomeni, Lisa K. Kenyon, Sam W. Logan, Katherine M. Steele, Heather A. Feldner. “Exploring the World on Wheels: A Geospatial Comparison of Two Pediatric Mobility Devices.” RESNA 2023. [link]

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Research Experience

Biomechanics & Accessibility Ability & Innovation Lab, University of Washington | IMPACT Collaboratory, University of Washington

• Co-advisors: Kat M. Steele and Heather A. Feldner
• Years: 2021 - Present

Medical Imaging & Solid Mechanics CoMMaND Lab, University of Notre Dame

• Advisor: Maria A. Holland
• Years: 2018 - 2021

Auditory Neuroscience & MRI Auditory Perception and Cognition Lab, University of Minnesota

• Advisor: Andrew Oxenham
• Year: Summer 2019

Auditory Neuroscience & Signal Processing Carney Lab, University of Rochester

• Advisor: Laurel H. Carney
• Year: Summer 2018

Data-Driven Methods Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

• Advisor: William C. Ray
• Year: Summer 2016

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Highlighted Honors

• National Institute of Health INCLUDE TL1 Awardee, March 2024
• RESNA Student Scientific Paper Award Winner 2023
• 2022 NextProf Pathfinder Workshop, Oct 2-4, 2022, San Diego, CA [link]
• Honorable Mention for Accessibility, CREATE Accessible and Inclusive Textiles Hackfest
• Bioengineering Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award, University of Notre Dame
• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship [link]
• Glenna R. Joyce Merit Scholarship, University of Notre Dame [link]

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Academia Outside of the Lab

University of Washington

1. HuskyADAPT [link]
   • Student Executive Chair
   • Design Chair
   • GoBabyGo UW Leadership Team
2. Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student Association [link]
   • Social Chair

University of Notre Dame

1. Enable ND [link]
   • President
   • Vice-President
   • Director of Research and Development
2. AccessABLE [link]
3. Society of Women Engineers
   • Director of Diversity
   • Director of Outreach

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The future is accessible.