Tara L. Diesbourg, Ph.D., R.Kin

Title: Coordinator, Assistant Professor - Environmental Health and Safety
Office: 1017 Human Health Building
Phone: (248) 364-8653
Fax: (248) 364-8657
E-mail: tdiesbourg@oakland.edu

Educational Background:
Dr. Diesbourg completed her Honours Bachelor of Human Kinetics with a concentration in Movement Science Co-op at the University of Windsor. She stayed in Windsor to complete her Masters of Human Kinetics focusing on Biomechanics. Her Masters thesis examined muscle recruitment patterns in the neck in various working postures. She moved to Kingston, Ontario to complete her PhD at Queen’s University where she evaluated changes in tissue material properties in the spine with age.

Teaching Interests:
Dr. Diesbourg’s teaching interests lie in the areas of Occupational Biomechanics and Ergonomics. She is currently slotted to teach the Ergonomics and Occupational Safety and Health Administration courses within the department.

Research/Scholarship:
Dr. Diesbourg has published in the areas of pregnancy biomechanics, muscle recruitment patterns in occupational postures, occupational sitting-induced discomfort, and ergonomic interventions in daycare and ophthalmological clinic settings. Her future research interests at Oakland University will focus on tissue material properties and ergonomics in special populations including older, pregnant, obese, or chronically ill individuals. She is also interested in collaborations with local businesses and industries to tackle on-site ergonomics research aimed at solving job-specific problems.

Professional Affiliations:
Dr. Diesbourg is a Registered Kinesiologist and has 7 years of experience conducting ergonomic assessments for Queen’s University, the Kingston Police Department, the Canadian Federal government, and the Department of National Defence of Canada.

Personal Interests:
Dr. Diesbourg enjoys spending time with her family. She also likes working with her hands and being creative in the garden, in the kitchen, and around the house.