Graduate student attends conference in Japan
Author: Melanie Nason
Posted on Sep 1, 2023
In July, our Masters student, Ethan Wilkie (MScKin Oct '23), attended the Footwear Biomechanics Symposium 2023 in Osaka, Japan. The theme of the conference was "Footwear for Everybody". Ethan gave an oral presentation entitled "Technological advances in track spike design facilitate enhanced running performance".
I had the amazing privilege and opportunity to attend and present at the 16th Biennial Footwear Biomechanics Symposium in Osaka, Japan (at Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences). The theme 'footwear for all' was on full display with works ranging from high-performance track & field, works on fall prevention thru tweaking of the insole of a shoe, to even works on hockey skates fit (the childhood hockey geek in me loved that).
Truthfully it was an excellent networking opportunity; but really, I met a lot of individuals (students, industry and researchers alike) who were simply wonderful people. Open to chat, expressing words of wisdom applicable not just in research, but in life as a whole. I hope to continue to nurture these relationships over the foreseeable future and see them bear fruit for all parties involved. One of these individuals was UNB Kin Alumnus Aiden Hallihan, now the Biomechanics Researcher Manager for CCM.
Beyond that, the trip gave me the wonderful opportunity to explore the world and immerse myself in Japanese culture. The people are incredibly polite and just a pleasure to interact with. I look forward to visiting again.
I'd like to thank Wayne Albert and Wouter Hoogkamer for supporting me in this endeavour from a research and financial perspective. Without them, I would not have been able to pursue the project that resulted in my Master's Thesis or present my work at this international conference!
Additionally, I would like to thank Jeremy Noble for fostering my love for biomechanics and enabling all the relationships I've built in research thus far to happen. Without his guidance, I would not be in the position I am right now, pursuing a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Biomechanics at McGill University as a member of their Ice Hockey Research Group. I will be forever grateful.