Dr. Koontz received her PhD degree in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh in August 2001. Dr. Koontz’s B.S. and M.S. degrees are in Biomedical Engineering, with a concentration in Rehabilitation Engineering from Wright State University, Fairborn, OH in 1993 and 1994, respectively. She is a recipient of a VA Research Career Development Award which is investigating the biomechanics of transfers among wheelchair users with spinal cord injury. Dr. Koontz’s research interests are in the areas of rehabilitation biomechanics, assistive technology, and secondary injury prevention. She is a certified Rehabilitation Engineering Technologist and provides clinical services to veterans in the VA Seating and Wheelchair Clinic. Dr. Koontz is the first author of over 35 peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings and book chapters. She is a member of RESNA, ASB, Tau Beta Pi, and Sigma Xi.