Tay Gavin Erickson Lecture Series From Mechanisms to Mobility: Engineering Solutions for Healthy Aging Dr. Jason Franz; University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill Register Here! This lecture will explore how aging of the Achilles tendon and foot contributes to reduced walking efficiency and physical performance in older adults. Drawing on over 10 years of experimental and computational research, it will connect changes in tendon mechanics to muscle and limb function, walking economy, speed, and fatigue resistance. It will also discuss applications such as ankle exoskeletons, personalized treatment for Achilles tendinopathy, footwear design, fatigue reduction, and fall prevention. A broader theme will be the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, creativity, curiosity, and mentorship in advancing biomechanics research. About Dr. Franz Dr. Jason R. Franz is a Professor of Rehabilitation Engineering at UNC Chapel Hill and NC State University whose research focuses on biomechanics and rehabilitation technologies that help people maintain mobility and age more safely. He has 180+ publications and leads multiple NIH-funded projects on age- and disease-related mobility limitations and fall prevention. He also holds leadership roles in the Journal of Applied Biomechanics, the American Society of Biomechanics, and the UNC School of Medicine. In 2023, he cofounded VETTA Solutions, a startup developing wearable sensing and biofeedback technologies to help prevent and slow joint disease.