Jennifer Chambers is a doctoral student in Kinesiology under the mentorship of Dr. Grant Norte in the Cognition, Neuroplasticity, & Sarcopenia (CNS) Laboratory. Originally from Ireland, she earned her B.S. in Physical Education, summa cum laude, from Catawba College in North Carolina and her M.S. in Kinesiology (Biomechanics) from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Jennifer’s research focuses on lower extremity injuries, particularly anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and reconstruction. Her work aims to improve rehabilitation outcomes by identifying neuromuscular deficits and developing strategies that support safe and effective return to sport. She is currently investigating the Nordic hamstring exercise as both an assessment and rehabilitation tool, integrating inertial measurement units, hamstring dynamometry, and surface electromyography to evaluate neuromuscular control. This approach allows her to characterize compensatory movement patterns and inform evidence-based injury-prevention and performance-optimization strategies.
She has co-authored peer-reviewed publications, presented at national and international conferences, and received recognition, including the Southeast ACSM Biomechanics Interest Group Master’s Research Award. Beyond her own research, Jennifer mentors undergraduate and graduate students throughout the research process, from study design to the interpretation and dissemination of findings. She has also taught or assisted in courses such as Assessment and Evaluation in Kinesiology and Injury Management & Emergency Care. Through these roles, she strives to bridge the gap between clinical rehabilitation and strength and conditioning practices.
