How Science Helps Forge UVA Olympians

Ken Ono

Dr. Ken Ono is the STEM Advisor to the Provost at the University of Virginia. He is the Marvin Rosenblum Professor of Mathematics, and he also holds faculty appointments in the Department of Statistics, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the School of Data Science. He is a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society, as well as its former Vice President. He is currently the Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the Institute for Advanced Study, and he is a member of the NSA Advisory Board. He has received numerous honors for his research including a Presidential Career Award from Bill Clinton, the National Science Foundation Director’s Distinguished Teaching Scholar Award and the University of Chicago Alumni Medal for Professional Achievement.  Pertinent to this event, Dr. Ono has been advising elite swimmers since 2016, applying his extensive background in mathematics, data science, physics and statistics to the sport. His contributions to swimming research has included applying new sensor technology, developing new analysis techniques, utilizing computational fluid dynamics, and pioneering how researchers communicate with coaches and athletes to give actionable feedback (including using the concept of a “digital twin” to measure athlete progress). He was also a 3-time member of (age group) Team USA Triathlon (2012-2014) earning top 40 finishes in the World Championships each year. 

Kate Douglass

Kate Douglass is a 2x Olympian, 5x Olympic medalist and 15x NCAA champion. She is a 2023 graduate of the University of Virginia College of Arts and Sciences with a degree in statistics. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Douglass won her first individual gold medal and reset her American record in the 200 meter breaststroke. She added a silver in the 200 individual medley and two relay medals in Paris in addition to the bronze medal she won at the Tokyo Olympic games in the 200 individual medley. She holds numerous American and World records in both short course and long course. Competing for the University of Virginia from 2019-2023, Douglass broke many NCAA records, including in her senior year at the NCAA Championship meet where she set the standard in the 200 yard individual medley, 200 yard breaststroke and 100 yard butterfly. Her range of events have made her widely regarded as one of the most versatile swimmers in the world. During her time at UVA, Douglass won the Honda Sports Awards the best college female swimmer in 2022 and 2023. Douglass is currently pursuing her masters in statistics while she trains and lives full time in Charlottesville. 

Paige Madden

Paige Madden is an American competitive swimmer who swam for the University of Virginia (UVA) from 2017 to 2021, who earned NCAA titles in the 200, 500, and 1650 freestyles along with the inaugural 800 freestyle relay.  She won a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics, which she believed would be her last at the time. However, she made a comeback at the 2024 Paris Olympics, securing another silver in the same relay event and capturing a bronze medal in the 800-meter freestyle, marking her first individual Olympic podium finish.  Beyond her athletic achievements, Madden graduated with a degree in Kinesiology and has aspirations to become a Physician Assistant, aiming to leverage her knowledge of health and leadership in her future endeavors.  Throughout her career, Madden has been recognized for her resilience and dedication, overcoming a battle with an autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto’s disease and earning the Perseverance Award at the 2024 Golden Goggle Awards. Her journey reflects a commitment to excellence both in and out of the pool, inspiring many in the swimming community and beyond.