Dr. Nathan Usevitch received his Master’s degree in
Mechanical Engineering in 2017 and his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in
2020 from Stanford University. His doctoral research focused on soft,
shape-changing robots. From 2020 to 2023, he worked at Meta Reality Labs, where
he helped design haptic gloves for virtual reality. In 2023, he joined the
Department of Mechanical Engineering at Brigham Young University as an
Assistant Professor. His research topics mainly include the following: soft robotics,
compliant robotic systems, and human–robot interaction.
Prof. Ulrike Mitchell received her BS in Physical Therapy in
Germany and a Master’s degree in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from the
University of St. Augustine in Florida in 2000. After working as a physical
therapist for 20 years and earning certifications in McKenzie and manual
therapy, she pursued a Ph.D. in Exercise Sciences at Brigham Young University,
which she completed in 2005. Since 2008, she has served as a faculty
member in the Department of Exercise Sciences at BYU. She completed a
fellowship with the American Academy of Orthopaedic and Manual Physical
Therapists in 2016. Her research topics mainly include the spine and intervertebral disc, and low back pain, its etiology, and interventions.
