Exercise Science Student Builds Her Career Path in Prosthetics and Orthotics Research

Carson Wasemiller combines athletics, advocacy in her research studying prosthetics for athletes in need

When Carson Wasemiller arrived at Belmont in 2024 as an exercise science student in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, she assumed a career in orthotics and prosthetics was too specialized — and too difficult to break into as a first-year student. Two weeks into her first semester, that assumption changed, thanks to an industry connection from Belmont. 

A presentation given by Brett Parrish, one of Nashville’s leading prosthetists and orthotists, inspired Wasemiller to ask about completing her required observation hours at his clinic. The result reignited her passion for orthotics and prosthetics development and led to a research project that’s set Wasemiller up for her dream career: advocating for athletes with limb differences and fitting them for custom prosthetics that will change their lives forever. 

“My earliest memory of wanting to be in this field is from seventh grade,” Wasemiller said. “Accessibility in athletics is a cause I hold really close to my heart, so being able to break down those barriers for others is something I’m deeply passionate about.” 

Seizing Educational Opportunities 

During her first two years at Belmont, Wasemiller spent significant time observing at the Hanger Clinic, one of the nation’s leading providers of prosthetic and orthotic care. As a part of her observation hours, Wasemiller committed herself to learning the communication skills necessary for a career working with prosthetics and orthotics, including technical language used to describe equipment and how to be well-informed when working with patients who have limb differences.  

“There’s so much niche terminology involved with the field; it really is a super unique world to be in,” Wasemiller shared. “That made my time with the Hanger Clinic even more important. If I’m going to conduct research for this community and connect with a new population of people the same way I connect with people I'm familiar with, I want to know how I can be clear, accurate and respectful to them. That will define my career as a clinician.” 

At the encouragement of supportive faculty mentors, Wasemiller also found ways to explore her passions and raise awareness for athletes with limb differences outside of clinical settings. In her freshman year writing class, she wrote a narrative essay exploring the importance of insurance coverage for children’s prosthetics and their positive psychosocial impacts, which won a writing award later that year.  

“We couldn’t be prouder of Carson,” said Dr. Holly Huddleston, professor and exercise science program director. “She actively seizes every opportunity that comes her way, and her work is made even more special by her heart for this profession. We’re so excited about where this journey will take her.”  

Since winning her first-year writing award, Wasemiller wrote a follow-up piece to her original paper in her third-year writing class, which focused on ancient medical literature and how it has shaped our perception of limb differences today. Both papers have provided a strong foundation for Wasemiller’s current research with Amputee Blade Runners, a Nashville-based nonprofit that provides free, highly specialized running prosthetics to amputees. Wasemiller’s work focuses on gathering qualitative data on the risk of injury when athletes wear insurance-issued prosthetics versus custom-built prosthetics, in hopes that she can raise awareness of ABR’s mission and help them gain funding to remove financial barriers for people in need of custom prosthetics.  

 Working Hard to Make a Difference 

As a member of the University’s track and cross-country team, Wasemiller is no stranger to the positive impact of hard work. As a student, teammate and now researcher, allowing her passions to fuel one another has only motivated her to dig even deeper into the difference she wants to make in the lives of others.  

“Being incredibly involved with my education has reframed how I think about my impact on others,” said Wasemiller. “I can let my interests enhance the conversations and bonds I have with my teammates, which creates a culture where we’re not trying to project an image and can celebrate what’s important to each other. It’s hard to be that vulnerable, but Belmont has a culture that pushes me to know others more deeply and has opened me up to be more deeply known, which is beautiful and motivating for my future career.” 

As the next step in her academic journey, Wasemiller is preparing for graduate school applications and focusing on her research with ABR. She plans to present her findings at a national biomechanics conference next spring in hopes of helping ABR and similar nonprofit organizations secure financial grants for even more custom prosthesis work.  

To Wasemiller, being able to share research within the orthotics and prosthetics community is a priceless milestone in her journey to better the lives of those around her. “To me, research should be the opposite of self-serving,” she shared “I would love for my time and resources to go toward greater awareness and opportunities for advancements in this field. There’s so much opportunity and value in sharing research outside of building a resume, and being supported by my professors and community in my journey to get there means everything to me.” 

As she works on her research and looks towards the future, Wasemiller is approaching every milestone and challenge with the same mindset she brings to her work: one of service, humility and determination to make a difference.