Professional Biography
Dr. Catalina Mantilla is a Biomechanist II at YA Group with over 10 years of experience working in collaborative and integrative environments to develop investigative projects. Her responsibilities include investigating and analyzing incidents from a scientific perspective using principles of human movement biomechanics, human factors, and applicable building codes and standards. She is highly skilled in analyzing data using advanced kinematic, statistical, and computer-based simulation tools.
Catalina has extensive experience investigating slip, trip, and stairway fall incidents through biomechanical analysis and human movement evaluation. Her work incorporates scientific assessment of locomotion and injury causation, supported by detailed data analysis and simulation modeling to evaluate movement patterns and environmental interactions.
Catalina’s academic background includes master’s and doctoral level research focused on evaluating the human body’s response to changes in substrate properties and surface inclination during locomotion. Her doctoral dissertation specifically examined locomotion over compliant, particle-composed ground commonly found in outdoor environments, such as gravel and sand, which can contribute to slip and trip incidents. Using high-speed 2D and 3D motion tracking to measure foot and leg kinematics, combined with analysis of particle dynamics, her research identified novel compensatory strategies that enable individuals to adapt to substrate changes and maintain effective locomotor performance.
Credentials & Certifications
- PhD
Professional Experience
- Biomechanist II | YA Group | 2025 - Current
- Senior Biomechanist | ARCCA, LLC. | 2022 - 2024
- Adjunct Assistant Professor | Temple University | 2022 - 2022
- Research/Teaching Assistant | Temple University | 2017 - 2021
- Research/Teaching Assistant | Florida International University | 2012 - 2017
Practices & Skillsets
- Premises Liability
- Slip and Fall Evaluations
Publications and Presentations
- Slip & Trip Insights: Approaches to Case Analysis.
- Mantilla, C., Kefala, V., Levitan, A., Joganich, T. “The Importance of Foot Posture Strategies at Initial Contact during Stair Descent”. Slips, Trips, and Falls (STF) International Conference. Toronto, Canada. Virtual Presentation. 2023 (2023)
- Kefala, V., Mantilla, C., Levitan, A., & Joganich, T. 2023. The Importance of Understanding Foot Posture Strategies during Stair Descent for Forensic Incident Investigations. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting. Vol. 67, No. 1, pp. 2437-2440. (2023)
- Mantilla C., Tucker E.L., Hsieh S.T. “Subsurface foot flexibility and positioning may improve running performance on granular slopes”. Society for the Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) Annual Meeting. Virtual presentation. Phoenix, Arizona. 2022 (2022)
- Mantilla C., Tucker E.L., Chang B., Hsieh S.T. “Sand specialists and non-specialists use similar kinematic strategies when running on incline granular media”. Society for the Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) Annual Meeting. Austin, Texas. 2020 (2020)
- Mantilla C., Tucker E.L., Chang B., Hsieh S.T. “Kinematics of specialist and generalist lizards running on level and incline granular media”. Society for the Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) Annual Meeting. Tampa, Florida. 2019 (2019)
- Mantilla C., Tucker E.L., Chang B., Hsieh S.T. “Cinemática de Lagartos Especialistas y Generalistas Corriendo Sobre Material Granular Horizontal e Inclinado”. V Congreso Colombiano de Zoología. Bogota, Colombia. 2018 (2018)
- Mantilla C., Hsieh S.T. “The Role of Claws and Adhesive toepads in anole lizard Running Performance”. BioSymposium of the Biology Department at Florida International University. Miami, Florida. 2017 (2017)
- Mantilla C., Hsieh S.T. “Evaluating the role of Claws and Toepads during running in Anole lizards”. Society for the Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) Annual Meeting. New Orleans, Louisiana. 2017 (2017)
- Mantilla C., Hoyos J.M. “Myology of the Foot-Leg Mechanical Unit of Anolis antonii (Boulenger, 1908) (Squamata, Polychrotidae)”. San Francisco, California. 2013 (2013)
- Mantilla C., Hoyos J.M. III Congreso Colombiano de Zoología. “Descripción Miológica de la Unidad Mecánica pie-pierna del lagarto Anolis antonii (Boulenger, 1908) (Squamata, Polychrotidae)”. Medellin, Colombia. 2010 (2010)
- Mantilla C., and Levitan A. National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association (NRRDA). "Slips, Trips and Falls in the Hospitality Industry: The Role of Forensic Experts During Incident Investigations" December 2022 Newsletter. (December 2022)
Education
- Bachelor of Science (BS), Biology, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota - Colombia
- Master of Science (MS), Biology/Biomechanics, Florida International University, Miami, Florida
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Biology/Biomechanics, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Training Courses
- 2021 International Building Code Essentials, International Code Council (2022)
- Injuries, Anatomy, Biomechanics and Federal Regulation, SAE International (2025)
- Recon-3D LiDAR Scanning, Ai2-3D Forensics (2026)
- Certificate Holder in Walkway Tribometry, Slip-Test LLC (2026)
Affiliations
- Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES)
- International Code Council (ICC)
- ASTM F13 Committee for Pedestrian/Walkway Safety and Footwear