JoEllen Sefton
Professor
Director - Warrior Research Center
Director - Neuromechanics Research Laboratory
Short Bio
JoEllen Sefton,Ph.D., ATC Ret. is the Director Auburn University’s Warrior Research Center (WRC) which serves as a point of collaboration and a catalyst for change between researchers, the military and tactical athletes to develop and implement new knowledge in human factors. Her research focuses on reducing injury and improving health, wellness and performance in our military, firefighters, and law enforcement. Sefton collaborates with academia, military research laboratories, Tactical Athlete units, small businesses, industry and government agencies. She developed and organizes the biennial WRC Tactical Athlete Summit, an international event that brings together researchers and tactical athletes to share problems and provide solutions.
Professional Experience
- Ph. D., University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2007.
Major: Interdisciplinary Biology & Sports MedicineDissertation/Thesis Title: Sensorimotor Measures in Chronic Ankle Instability - M.S., Central Connecticut State University, 2003.
Major: Exercise Science
Dissertation/Thesis Title: Examination of Factors that Influence Knowledge of and Reporting of Head Injuries in College Football - Central Connecticut State University, 2001. Major: Athletic Training
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy, 1995.
Major: Medical Massage Therapy
Supporting Areas of Emphasis: sports massage - B.S., Ohio University, 1981.
Major: Zoology
Dissertation/Thesis Title: Field Study of Fishing Spider Behavior
Professional Experience
- Auburn University, Auburn Alabama. School of Kinesiology, Professor (2018)
- Auburn University, Auburn Alabama. School of Kinesiology, Associate Professor (2011 – 2018)
- Auburn University, Auburn Alabama. School of Kinesiology, Assistant Professor (2007 – 2011)
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Doctoral Fellow/Instructor. (2005 - 2007)
Engagement
My outreach, teaching, research and service is interrelated. The applied/transitional nature of my research requires that most of my projects are conducted in the field with laboratory support to improve the understanding and treatment of injuries and pathologies and to improve performance and quality of life and applying that knowledge to tactical athletes. Most of my research can be considered outreach research. The Warrior Research Center (WRC) is the natural expansion of the outreach/research efforts of the Neuromechanics Research Laboratory and Warrior Athletic Training Program. The Warrior Athletic Training Program was an 8 year WRC program that provided identification, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of injuries in our military personnel, with an integral education/research program. Vital to this program was research on best practices for physical training, performance, Warrior training, equipment modifications, and injury recognition, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation protocols grew out of this effort and we have expanded the reach and impact of our work in this area.
