Dr Jennifer Ann Kruger
BSc Witw., MSc PhD
Biography
Jennifer Kruger graduated with a BSc (Nursing and Midwifery) from University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. She developed an interest in Sport and Exercise, being a recreational runner for many years and completing a few half marathons and one full marathon.
She has over 15 years of experience in the field of midwifery, before returning to complete a MSc, at the University of Auckland in 2003, on Childbirth in Elite Athlete. Further development of this theme led to a PhD in Pelvic floor muscle function in the Elite Athlete, completed in 2008. During this time she tutored and taught the undergraduate Human Anatomy paper.
She held a six month post doctoral fellowship at the University of Montreal with the Centre de recherché de geriatrie de Montreal, using ultrasound imaging to investigate pelvic floor muscle function in elderly women with urinary incontinence.
In 2009, Jennifer joined the Auckland Bioengineering Institute as a postdoctoral fellow holding one of the inaugural Postdoctoral Rutherford Fellowships through the Royal Society of New Zealand.
Jennifer enjoys the challenges of bringing ‘clinician and engineer’ together. Realising the possibilities that bioengineering can add to clinical decision making and what clinicians really need from the bioengineer.
Jennifer is currently on an Aoteoroa Bioengineering Fellowship sponsored by the Julian Robertson Foundation.
Research | Current
- Pelvic floor muscle function
- Childbirth
- Development of pelvic floor dysfunction
Research group
Distinctions/Honours
Best Doctoral Thesis award 2009
Areas of expertise
- Pelvic floor disorders in women
- Pelvic floor ultrasound
- Bio-instrumentation development
Committees/Professional groups/Services
Pelvic Floor Reseach Network (NZ)
Selected publications and creative works (Research Outputs)
- Yan, X., Kruger, J., Nielsen, P., & Nash, M. (2015). Effects of fetal head shape variation on the mechanics of the second stage of labour. Journal of Biomechanics, 48 (9), 1593-1599. 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.02.062
Other University of Auckland co-authors: Martyn Nash, Poul Nielsen
Identifiers
Contact details
Primary office location
AUCKLAND BIOENGINEERING HOUSE - Bldg 439
Level 1, Room 101
70 SYMONDS ST
GRAFTON
AUCKLAND 1010
New Zealand