Biography

Janet Dufek received a bachelor's in physical education and health education along with accredited K-12 teaching certifications from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. She obtained a master's in scientific foundations of kinesiology from Illinois State University, and a doctorate in biomechanics from the University of Oregon. She is presently associate dean in the School of Integrated Health Sciences and professor in the department of kinesiology and nutrition sciences at UNLV. Dufek is also graduate coordinator for the doctorate programs in kinesiology and interdisciplinary health sciences, and is a fellow in UNLV’s Leadership Academy. She also holds associate graduate faculty status in the department of mechanical engineering at UNLV and is an adjunct professor in UNLV’s School of Medicine and at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

As a biomechanist at UNLV, Dufek is a founding advisory board member of the REBEL (Rehabilitation, Exercise Science, Biomechanics, Engineering and Life Sciences) Research Group. Her research focuses on lower extremity function with an eye toward injury prevention. More specifically, Dufek has used a landing model to assess kinematic and kinetic responses to various experimental conditions, but, more so, to examine individual responses to these experimental perturbations. Dufek has also used running and walking protocols to examine similar phenomena. 

Dufek regularly collaborates with colleagues in Physical Therapy, Engineering and Nursing to address questions of clinical concern. She has worked with pediatric populations with cerebral palsy and autism, and adult populations with diabetes.