About Dr. Aitken:

Dr. Aitken received her BS in Mechanical Engineering from St. Ambrose University in 2015 and her MS in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Iowa in 2017. She earned her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Iowa in 2021, during which time she used three-dimensional computational modeling techniques to identify patient-specific surgical corrections that optimize the mechanical hip joint environment for young adults with hip dysplasia. Her current research focuses on musculoskeletal biomechanics of pediatric hip disorders, including hip dysplasia and slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Dr. Aitken’s research has received a Young Scientist Travel Award from the Force & Motion Foundation/Orthopaedic Research Society, Clinical Biomechanics Award (co-author) from the American Society of Biomechanics, Trainee Basic Research Award from ISHA – The Hip Preservation Society, and William H. Harris Award (co-author) from the Orthopaedic Research Society.