The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) named Mark Geil, PhD and Matthew Wernke, PhD, as the recipients of the 2026 Howard R. Thranhardt Award.
The award-winning presentations will be featured during the AOPA National Assembly on September 11 in Las Vegas.
Presentations will include:
Dr. Mark Geil, professor, Kennesaw State University, will present Considerations for Crawling Locomotion Development in Infants with Cerebral Palsy. This groundbreaking study examined the kinetic and spatiotemporal biomechanics of crawling in infants with cerebral palsy compared to typically developing peers. The findings provide important new insights into factors that may influence early locomotor development in children with CP.
Dr. Matthew Wernke, director, research and development, Willowwood, will present Defining Optimal Pressure Profiles to Protect Limb Health. With limited data currently available to guide prosthetic socket pressure design, this study explores whether pressure application and relief should be balanced or concentrated at specific areas of the limb. Using limb health outcomes as a key differentiator, the research offers valuable evidence to help inform future prosthetic socket design and patient care strategies.
“The Howard R. Thranhardt Award recognizes the very best in clinical research and innovation within the O&P profession,” said Kimberly Hanson, CPRH, AOPA president. “Dr. Geil and Dr. Wernke are advancing our understanding of patient care in meaningful and impactful ways. Their work reflects the innovation, scientific rigor, and commitment to improving lives that continue to move this profession forward.”
Recognized as one of the highest honors in the O&P profession, the Howard R. Thranhardt Award is presented annually to the top clinical research abstracts submitted to the AOPA National Assembly. The award recognizes outstanding scientific contributions that advance evidence-based O&P care and improve outcomes for individuals with limb loss, limb difference, and mobility challenges.
