“Eighty percent of Achilles tendon ruptures occur in men while just 20% occur in women, whereas Achilles tendinopathy injuries are more of a 50/50 split,” Potter said. “Alongside my adviser and lab, we are trying to determine why the incidence rates between men and women are so different in these two injuries. Additionally, current research suggests that men and women don’t follow the same recovery trajectory, with women not recovering to the same extent. So, we want to understand that better.”

Prior to starting in the UD Department of Physical Therapy program, Potter spent two years as a research assistant at the Sports Medicine Center and Musculoskeletal Research Center at Children’s Hospital in Colorado.

When she arrived at UD, Potter started volunteering in Karin Grävare Silbernagel’s lab and eventually decided to pursue her doctorate in biomechanics and movement science. Silbernagel, professor and associate chair of the department, has mentored Potter throughout her time at UD.

“It has been amazing to see Morgan build on her previous research experience and develop her independent research on how to improve outcomes in women with Achilles tendon injuries,” Silbernagel said. “Her research is critical in our aim to develop better individualized treatments to avoid long-term pain and deficits in patients with Achilles tendon injuries.”