The O&P Foundation and American Board of Certification for Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics (ABC) partner to identify and celebrate outstanding research by orthotic and prosthetic students.
Three ABC Student Poster Prizes were awarded to student-created posters accepted for presentation at the 2024 American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium.
First Prize
Megan Grunst
Effects of Prosthetic Design Features on Osteoarthritis Risk in the Sound Limb: A Scoping Review
Megan Grunst, MPO is a recent graduate of theNorthwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center and an incoming ProstheticResident at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering from theUniversity of Iowa, where she worked as a research assistant in the Human Performance and Clinical Outcomes lab studying carbon fiber custom dynamic orthoses.
Thank you to collaborators
Pauline M. Porucznik, MPO, is a recent graduate from the NUPOC and a P&O Resident at Ability Ottobock.care in Mechanicsburg/Harrisburg, PA. She earned her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from the University of Scranton.
Kate M. Grylicki, MPO, is a graduate of NUPOC and is a current P&O resident at Evergreen P&O in New Bern, NC. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science and Gerontology from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
Second Prize
Jacob Wilbert
Exposure to Orthotics and Prosthetics in Undergraduate Kinesiology Students in the Southern Unites States.
Jacob Wilbert is graduating from the Alabama State University’s P&O program in May 2024. He will continue on to a combined O&P residency with Hanger Clinic in Knoxville, TN. Jacob developed a passion to promote the awareness of O&P because he wishes that someone would have introduced him to the field much earlier in his education. He hopes to be the one to provide prospective students with this formal introduction so they too may come to know the value of careers in O&P.
Third Prize
Brogan Comstock
Tensile Strength of Bio-propylene and Recycled Polyethylene as Alternative Materials for Ankle Foot Orthoses.
Brogan Comstock is a second-year master’s student in O&P from California State University – Dominguez Hills. She completed her undergraduate degree in psychology and kinesiology from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Her education and experiences are influenced by learning how to better the physical and psychological well-being of others. Her research experience focuses on motion analysis and interpersonal interactions.
