Abbie Ferris

Faculty

Associate Professor

Email Abbie.Ferris@unco.edu
Phone (970) 351-1238
Location Gunter Hall, Office 2710
Address 501 20th St., Campus Box 39, Greeley, CO 80639

Education

PhD, University of Northern Colorado, 2015.
Area of Study: Biomechanics/Exercise Science

MS, University of Southern California, 2009.
Area of Study: Biokinesiology

MS, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, 2004.
Area of Study: Animal Science

BS, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, 2001.
Area of Study: Animal Science

Professional Experience & Affiliations

Biomechanics Laboratory Director, University of Northern Colorado
Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Dietetics (2023 – Present)

Biomechanics Program Director, University of Northern Colorado
Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Dietetics (2023 – Present)

Associate Professor, University of Northern Colorado
Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Dietetics (2021 – Present)

Research Expertise & Interests

Areas of Interest

Abbie’s research motivation is to better understand amputee gait and improve functional ability. Currently she is investigating the biomechanical effects of various socket suspension techniques in individuals with lower limb amputation. Specifically, she is interested in functional outcomes of these devices and how they may alter loading and gait.

Recently, Dr. Ferris has begun investigating the use of cannabis and its possible effects on gait, balance, and functional ability in adults. As cannabis has been fairly recently legalized, it has opened opportunities for investigation previously closed to researchers. While the majority of research has been focused on the physiologic changes, little research has been performed on the biomechanical effects use may trigger. The primary focus is to identify if acute Cannabis usage affects gait in users vs non-users. In particular, she is investigating kinematics and kinetics of gait in both groups as well as dynamic and static balance changes.

Comparison of Prosthetic Suspension Systems on Function and Satisfaction
Identification of biomechanical variables correlated to reduction in balance
Investigation into seated balance during unstable situations

Publications

  • Ferris, A., Christiansen, C., Heise, G., Hahn, D., Smith, J. (2019). Biomechanical analysis of curb ascent in persons with non-Ertl and Ertl amputations. Prosthetics and Orthotics International. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309364619885717
  • Ferris, A. , Christiansen, C. L., Heise, G. , Smith, J. , 27th Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics/43rd Annual American Society of Biomechanics Meeting, “Functional Comparisons Between People with Ertl and Non-Ertl Transtibial Amputation,” American Society of Biomechanics, Calgary, AB Canada. (August 2019).
  • Robey, N., Buchholz, K. O., Richmond, S., Ferris, A., Smith, J., Heise, G., 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, “The influence of localized knee fatigue on lower limb dynamics during walking.,” Rochester, MN. (2018).
  • Kellems, V. , Rentuma, G. , Smith, J. , Ferris, A., 42nd Annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, “Comparison of Gait Kinematics and Spatiotemporal Measures Between Lock And Pin and a New Vacuum Suspension System in Transtibial Amputees,” American Society of Biomechanics, Rochester, MN. (August 2018).
  • Rentuma, G. , Kellems, V. , Smith, J., Ferris, A. , 42nd Annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, “Comparison Of Socket Suspension Systems During Stair Ascent in Individuals With Transtibial Amputation,” American Society of Biomechanics, Rochester, MN. (August 2018).
  • Alunan, A. , Kellems, V. , Rentuma, G. , Smith, J. , Ferris, A. , 42nd Annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, “Postural Stability In Unilateral Transtibial Amputees Using Two Suspension Systems: Smartpuck™ Vs Lock And Pin,” American Society of Biomechanics, Rochester, MN. (August 2018).
  • Kellems, V. , Rentuma, G. , Ferris, A., Smith, J., 8th Annual meeting of the Rocky Mountain American Society of Biomechanics, “Comparison of Gait Kinematics and Spatiotemporal Measures Between Lock and Pin and a New Vacuum Suspension System in Transtibial Amputees,” American Society of Biomechanics, Estes Park, CO. (April 2018).
  • Rentuma, G. , Kellems, V. , Ferris, A. , Smith, J. , 8th Annual meeting of the Rocky Mountain American Society of Biomechanics, “Comparison Of Socket Suspension Systems During Stair Ascent In Individuals With Transtibial Amputation,” American Society of Biomechanics, Estes Park, CO. (April 2018).
  • Rentuma, G. M. , Ferris, A. , Kellems, V. A. , Heise, G., Christiansen, C. L. , Smith, J., 41st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, “Postural stability during quiet standing in persons with Ertl and non-Ertl transtibial amputations,” Boulder, CO. (August 2017).
  • Robey, N. J. , Buchholz, K. O. , Richmond, S. B. , Ferris, A., Smith, J., Heise, G. , 41st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, “Stabilogram diffusion analysis applied to static stability: Rigid versus compliant surfaces,” Boulder, CO. (August 2017).
  • Ferris, A. , Christiansen, C. L. , Heise, G. , Smith, J. , 41st American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting, “Do kinetic differences exist during curb ascent in persons with ertl and non-ertl transtibial amputations?,” American Society of Biomechanics, Boulder, CO. (August 11, 2017).
  • Buchholz, K. O. , Robey, N. J. , Richmond, S. B. , Ferris, A., Smith, J., Heise, G. , 41st American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting, “Assessment of single leg postural control using a stabilogram diffusion analysis after stabilizing from a forward or sideways hop,” Boulder, CO. (August 9, 2017).
  • Rhodehouse, G. , Murphy, S. P. , Schornstein, B. J. , Ferris, A. , Heise, G. , Smith, J. , 41st American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting, “Relationship between running economy and kinematics of the upper extremity and trunk,” Boulder, CO. (August 9, 2017).
  • Murphy, S. P. , Ferris, A. , Heise, G. , Christiansen, C. L. , Smith, J., 41st American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting, “Using approximate and sample entropy to measure postural control in individuals with Ertl and non-Ertl transtibial amputations,” Boulder, CO. (August 9, 2017).
  • Buchholz, K. O. , Robey, N. J. , Richmond, S. B. , Ferris, A., Smith, J., Heise, G. , 7th Annual Meeting of the Rocky Mountain American Society of Biomechanics, “Assessment of single leg postural control using a stabilogram diffusion analysis after stabilizing from a forward or sideways hop,” Estes Park, CO. (April 2017).
  • Rentuma, G. M. , Ferris, A. , Kellems, V. A. , Heise, G., Christiansen, C. L. , Smith, J., 7th Annual Meeting of the Rocky Mountain American Society of Biomechanics, “Postural stability during quiet standing in persons with Ertl and non-Ertl transtibial amputations,” Estes Park, CO. (April 2017).
  • Rhodehouse, G. , Murphy, S. P. , Schornstein, B. J. , Ferris, A. , Heise, G. , Smith, J. , 7th Annual Meeting of the Rocky Mountain American Society of Biomechanics, “Relationship between running economy and kinematics of the upper extremity and trunk,” Estes Park, CO. (April 2017).
  • Robey, N. J. , Buchholz, K. O. , Richmond, S. B. , Ferris, A., Smith, J., Heise, G. , 7th Annual Meeting of the Rocky Mountain American Society of Biomechanics, “Stabilogram diffusion analysis applied to static stability: Rigid versus compliant surfaces,” Estes Park, CO. (April 2017).
  • Murphy, S. P. , Ferris, A. , Heise, G. , Christiansen, C. L. , Smith, J., 7th Annual Meeting of the Rocky Mountain American Society of Biomechanics, “Using approximate and sample entropy to measure postural control in individuals with Ertl and non-Ertl transtibial amputations,” Estes Park, CO. (April 2017).
  • Ferris, A. , Smith, J. , Christiensen, C. L. , Heise, G. , 40th American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting, “Kinetic Comparisons Of The Sit To Stand Task In Persons With Burgess And Ertl Transtibial Amputations,” American Society of Biomechanics, Raleigh, NC. (August 3, 2016).
  • Ferris, A. , Smith, J. , Christiensen, C. L. , Heise, G. , 6th Annual Rocky Mountain American Society of Biomechanics Regional Meeting, “Kinetic Comparisons Of The Sit To Stand Task In Persons With Burgess And Ertl Transtibial Amputations,” American Society of Biomechanics, Estes Park, CO. (April 16, 2016).
  • Rhodehouse, G., Jansson, C., Dames, K. D., Ferris, A., Smith, J., 6th Rocky Mountain American Society of Biomechanics Regional Meeting, “Influence of filtering ground reaction force data: Treadmill versus over-ground,” American Society of Biomechanics, Estes Park, CO. (April 15, 2016).
  • Ferris, A., Smith, J., Heise, G., Hinrichs, R. N., Martin, P. E., 39th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, “Predicting Inertial Properties For Individuals With Transtibial Amputation,” American Society of Biomechanics, Columbus, OH. (August 7, 2015).
  • Ferris, A., Smith, J., Heise, G., Hinrichs, R. N., Martin, P. E., 5th Rocky Mountain American Society of Biomechanics Regional Meeting, “Inertial Property Predictions For Individuals With Transtibial Amputation,” American Society of Biomechanics, Estes Park, CO. (April 17, 2015).
  • McCann, M., Dames, K. D., Ferris, A., Smith, J., 5th Rocky Mountain American Society of Biomechanics Regional Meeting, “Preliminary Study: Effect of Stride Frequency on Metabolic Costs During Barefoot and Shod Running,” American Society of Biomechanics, Estes Park, CO. (April 17, 2015).