Yi Kang

Yi Kang is a PhD student in the Movement Science program within the Department of Physical Therapy. She graduated from Benedictine College in 2021 with a degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Mathematics. During her pursuit of a clinical degree in Physical Therapy, Yi contributed to biomechanics research to understand mechanisms related to hip and spine factors and lower back pain. She also worked in an epidemiology lab to identify the association between lifestyle risk factors, such as circadian rhythm dysregulation, and gastrointestinal cancer risk using accelerometer data. Driven by her passion for both clinical practice and research, Yi earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2024 while developing robust analysis and coding skills. Her current PhD research focuses on identifying factors contributing to tendon pathology, utilizing clinical performance measures, advanced diagnostic imaging, and fundamental science mechanisms. Yi is particularly interested in imaging science and the potential application of large datasets through quantitative MRI for tendon research. With a clinical background, she is passionate about interdisciplinary study and collaborative efforts. Yi is dedicated to bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical healthcare applications and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to drive meaningful advancements in patient care and research.