McKenzie White
I am current Postdoctoral Scholar in the Radiology Department at Stanford University where I work at the intersection of machine learning, medical imaging, and biomechanics. I’m committed to developing tools that bridge gaps between computational methods, musculoskeletal research, and clinical care – enabling more precise analyses, efficient workflows, and improved surgical decision-making.
I earned my Master’s in Biomedical Engineering from the University at Buffalo, where I played NCAA Women’s Soccer (Go Bulls!) and my PhD from the University of Michigan where my research focused on neuromuscular adaptations following knee injuries with emphasis on using advanced imaging modalities to assess muscle & joint function through metrics of muscle quality, muscle architecture, lower extremity biomechanics, subchondral bone, and articular cartilage health as it pertains to the development of osteoarthritis.
Education
- PhD Movement Science University of Michigan
- BS Business Administration University at Buffalo
- MS Biomedical Engineering University at Buffalo
Interest
- Skeletal Malalignment
- Pre-operative planning
- Muscle function & Joint Health
Skills
Programing
python, R, MATLAB
Other Related
Linux (Ubuntu), MacOS, Windows
Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Dixon, Diffusion Tensor Imaging, T1rho/T2 Mapping
Ultrasound
B-mode of Cartilage, Muscle, Tendon and Shear Wave Elastography of Muscle and Tendon
Computed tomography
Human and animal models
Motion Capture
Vicon, Visual 3D, Qualisys, Motion Analysis, Optitrack, Markerless Motion Capture (DeepLabCut), Electromyography
Technical
MATLAB Application and GUI Development, Computer vision, Automatic and Semi-Automatic workflows, Signal processing (MATLAB, Neuralynx, python)
Professional
Project Management, Team Management, Organizational Management and Leadership, Strategic Planning, Mentorship
Research Experience
My research is grounded by my experiences as a patient who has navigated the musculoskeletal care continuum through many surgical interventions with sub-optimal outcomes. These experiences have dictated the approach I take to research that is largely characterized by improving and standardizing methodology to collect higher quality data to develop the appropriate interventions to serve our patients. My experience as a patient drives my passion to uncover factors that play essential roles in post-operative success with goals of developing more comprehensive pre-operative assessments and targeted rehabilitation programs and to optimize surgical outcomes and improve patient care.
Research Experience
Post Doctoral Scholar
Stanford University
Post Doctoral Scholar
University of Michigan
- Developed custom application for musculoskeletal ultrasound image processing
- Static B-mode imaging for quantifying muscle size and quality, and patella tendon length and thickness
- Dynamic shear wave elastography for quantifying mechanical properties of muscle and tendon
- Built collaborations with the Bioinformatics and Artificial Intelligence Cores to develop fully automated image analysis pipelines for processing B-mode Ultrasound
01/2025 – Current
09/2023 – 11/2024
Graduate Research Assistant in Kinesiology
University of Michigan
- Custom workflow development for the following data sources
- Dynamic B-mode ultrasound imaging for quantifying muscle fascicle and tendon mechanics
- Knee cartilage composition via T1rho/T2 magnetic resonance imaging
- Static B-mode ultrasound assessments of femoral trochlear cartilage health
- Multi-stack quadriceps muscle fat infiltration via Dixon magnetic resonance imaging
- Software implementation for quadriceps muscle architecture (diffusion tensor imaging)
- Automated workflow development that utilizes 3D marker-less motion capture (DeepLabCut)
- Developed multiple project structures, management plans for 20+ undergraduate students with emphasis on strategic planning, productivity, and building a sustainable lab culture centered on the following core values: trust, integrity, teamwork, dedication, and celebration
06/2019-08/2023
Graduate Research Assistant in Kinesiology
University of Connecticut
- Implemented 2D marker-less motion capture (DeepLabCut) into rodent lab and created a semi automatic program to assess lower extremity gait (python)
08/2018-06/2019
Graduate Research Assistant in Kinesiology
University at Buffalo
- Lower extremity gait analyses using Vicon Motion Capture Systems and Visual 3D C-Motion software
08/2016-01/2018