Caitlin Hengge

Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Health, Physical Education and Recreation

Caitlin Hengge is completing her bachelor’s degree in Human Movement Science. She began her undergraduate research career in the Utah Water Research Lab (PI: Dr. Ryan Dupont) by studying pH levels in samples of different water quality, but became increasingly interested in human biomedical science, particularly in aging and neurorehabilitation.

While completing her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) licensure offcampus, she joined the Motor Rehabilitation and Learning Lab (PI: Dr. Sydney Schaefer) in 2013 to study how the aging brain learns voluntary movement. Caitlin received an URCO grant in 2014 to investigate how dual-task conditions (i.e., counting backwards while manipulating small objects) can quantify the extent of motor skill learning in older adults.

Caitlin became the head Lab Coordinator in 2015, and currently manages all lab activities, such as recruiting and screening participants, collecting and analyzing data, and mentoring other students. To date, Caitlin has presented her own research at two national conferences, numerous regional meetings, and has recently published her first peer-reviewed paper.

Since 2014, Caitlin has also been a resident advisor for 48 students in USU’s leadership House dormitory, and creates programs and events to foster civic responsibility and leadership in her residents.