NC State Student Contributes to Athletic Footwear Research 

Even before setting foot on NC State’s campus, Andrianna Hodges knew she wanted to be an engineer. With interests spanning from biomedical engineering to industrial engineering, she tried a little bit of everything as an Exploratory Studies student. 

That’s when her advisor suggested looking into the textile engineering program at the Wilson College of Textiles. Not long after, Hodges found her niche: footwear and sports performance textiles. 

“I’m interested in working to fill the gap between comfort and fashion within the footwear industry,” she says. 

Last summer, Hodges took this passion all the way to Los Angeles, where she completed an internship in materials development with Adidas. This summer, she chose to stay local and experience the research side of product development through the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. 

The REU program is a paid summer research opportunity offered by the Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science (TECS) department where students conduct research in the lab and attend workshops and seminars that help them build confidence in their field of study. 

Testing footwear performance

This summer, Hodges is working with her REU mentor, postdoctoral researcher Kedena Henriques-Thompson, researching how athletic socks and different footwear components – like the toe, side foot or heel collar of the shoe – affect comfort. This research is conducted under Professor Emiel DenHartog. 

To get a thorough understanding of the current athletic footwear on the market, she’s testing two different socks, one predominantly polyester and one cotton, against three different shoes’ heel, side foot, toe and tongue. By conducting friction tests with each sock and footwear component, Hodges can determine the level of friction present. 

Both high and low coefficients of friction, a value that represents the force of two surfaces against each other, can result in pain for the wearer. High friction can restrict movement or increase risk of injury, while low friction can cause slipping and instability, Hodges writes in her research poster.  

“I don’t think a lot of people realize how important footwear is in the textile industry, or how important it is to understand how comfort and ergonomics play a part in your day-to-day activities. I think this research and trying to pair comfort and fashion together is really crucial.” 

The uniqueness of the program 

The REU program is structured to benefit students who have no previous experience in research. The program includes a wide range of workshops and informational courses, set up to guide students through the vast world that is academic research. 

These workshops teach students research-specific skills like how to use microscopes and write research manuscripts, as well as professional skills like how to write a strong resume and navigate the interview process.  

Hodges says one thing she appreciates about the program is the flexibility her advisors have granted her. 

“They have really motivated me and shown me that I can eventually get to where I want to be within this field,” she says. 

Setting students up for success 

Learning to conduct research, present findings and collaborate with faculty are tools and experiences that undergraduates will continue to benefit from, whether they pursue a second degree or enter the industry upon graduating. 

For Hodges, the next step is completing a master’s degree in textile engineering this fall.

“After that, hopefully I can work with a big sports performance company like Adidas, Nike, Alo Yoga or Lululemon and contribute to their new products.” 

Her advice to students interested in the REU program? Advocate for yourself and remember the Wilson College faculty are there to help you find your footing.

“Make sure you articulate what you want out of the experience,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and reach out to different professors. They’re going to want your help. And if you like it, that’s great. If you don’t, ask them if there is another thing they can recommend for you.”

This post was originally published in Wilson College of Textiles News.