Emily A. Bywater
Hi! I’m Emily. I am a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, working in the Neurobionics Lab under the mentorship of Dr. Elliott Rouse.
My research lives at the intersection of robotics and human biomechanics. I work with wearable robotic systems—specifically lower-body orthoses, exoskeletons, and prostheses—to augment human mobility. My current work focuses on the evaluation of a Variable Stiffness Orthosis (VSO) in assisting individuals with foot drop. This project is funded under an NIH F31 National Research Service Award that I received in 2024.
I hold an M.S. in Robotics from Michigan and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. When I’m not in the lab, you can find me running, cycling, and exploring Michigan’s outdoors.
Latest Updates
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Jun. 2026I presented my video abstract, “User-Informed Trade-Offs Between Cam Modules for Foot Drop Mitigation,” at Dynamic Walking in Seattle, WA.
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May-Jun. 2026I participated in the Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) Seminar. I developed a syllabus for Engineering 100 and learned backwards course design.
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May 2026Welcomed two M.S. student mentees to the VSO team. We will be presenting preliminary results at Dynamic Walking in June.
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Feb. 2026I launched this website!