Mia Hoffman

Mia Hoffman is a fifth-year PhD Candidate, co-advised in both the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington. She is also a student member of the Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences (CREATE) at the University of Washington. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame with a minor in bioengineering. Mia’s 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. Mia’s goal in her work is to “just let kids be kids” exploring the world around them.

Research Interests

1. On-time mobility
2. Assistive technology
3. Pediatric rehabilitation

---

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. Sloane, Bethany M. & Mia E. Hoffman, Samuel W. Logan, Lisa K. Kenyon, Katherine M. Steele, Heather A. Feldner. “Comparison of three tracking methods to assess usage of two pediatric powered mobility devices for young children with cerebral palsy.” Assistive Technology.2025. [link]
3. Hoffman, Mia E., Abuatiq, Reham A., Kate Bokowy, Alyssa L. Fiss, Julia Looper, Katherine M. Steele, Heather A. Feldner. “Up and down: analyzing physical activity and posture with wearable sensors during partial bodyweight supported play for young children with down syndrome.” Developmental Neurorehabilitation. 2026. [link]

---

Research Experience

Pediatric rehabilitation & Upper extremity Pediatric and Rehabilitation Lab, The Ohio State University

• Advisor: Jill Heathcock
• Years: 2026 - 2028

Biomechanics & Accessibility Neuromechanics and Mobility Lab, University of Washington | IMPACT Collaboratory, University of Washington

• Co-advisors: Kat M. Steele and Heather A. Feldner
• Years: 2021 - 2026

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 statistical modelling Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

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

---

Highlighted Honors

• University of Washington Graduate School Medal Recipient [link]
• University of Washington, Husky 100 [link]
• RESNA Student Scientific Paper Award Winner, 2025 [link]
• National Institute of Health INCLUDE TL1 Awardee, March 2024
• RESNA Student Scientific Paper Award Winner 2023 [link]
• 2022 NextProf Pathfinder Workshop, Oct 2-4, 2022, San Diego, CA [link]
• 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]

---

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

---

The future is accessible.