Dr. Andrea Porter

Dr. Andrea Porter lived her dream at Texas A&M University, earning a PhD in Multidisciplinary Engineering with a focus on women’s body armor ergonomics. Her groundbreaking research was inspired by four young women she mentored while living in Amarillo—three who joined the military and one who entered law enforcement—whose stories revealed the physical harm and operational challenges caused by poorly fitting armor.

With materials science currently limiting major design changes, Dr. Porter took an innovative approach: she examined controllable factors like bra selection and load carriage placement as key solutions to improving comfort and performance. Her work gained national attention, including a feature on Houston’s NBC affiliate, and was ranked among Texas A&M’s top three news stories in April 2025.

Her ability to translate engineering research into accessible, real‑world impact led her to the TEDx stage, where she delivered the talk “Bras, Breasts, and Bulletproof Vests,” highlighting the interaction between the female chest and torso‑borne personal protective equipment as a critical factor in women’s ergonomics and occupational health. (Her TEDx talk will be released in June!)

An important extension of Dr. Porter’s research was recognizing that bra fit and design play a role in musculoskeletal loading, directly affecting women’s neck, back, and shoulders as well as overall comfort and endurance. Applying an engineering perspective to bra fit and load distribution, she also teaches women how to find and fit bras that reduce neck, back, and shoulder strain while improving comfort and performance.

Today, Dr. Porter continues to

– Speak at conferences for women in law enforcement about body armor ergonomics

– Help female athletes find and fit sports bras that enhance performance

– Educate women on essential bra knowledge