Congratulations to Michael Adkins for passing his Electrical Engineering thesis proposal! Michael Adkins developed the Electronic Grip Gauge (EGG), a new kind of device to help assess and rehabilitate the hand function of those with neurological deficits. Michael’s PhD research will focus on using this device with hemiparetic stroke patients to determine its efficacy as an assessment and rehabilitation tool.
Congratulations to Michael Adkins on being awarded the University of Utah’s 2024 “Excellence in Innovation Graduate Student” Award at this years Innovation Awards. Michael Adkins was the sole awardee of this years award which recognizes a graduate student who has had an exceptional commitment to the development and translation of new technologies, devices, and innovations.
https://technologylicensing.utah.edu/news-events/university-of-utah-announces-2024-innovation-awards-recipients
“Michael Adkins exemplifies the intersection of clinical, business, engineering and scientific innovation. A standout M.D.-Ph.D. student in the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab, Adkins has earned multiple accolades, including an NIH diversity fellowship, a $50,000 NSF I-Corp grant, and $51,000 in business competition awards. His research has led to patents and multiple research articles, is not only scientifically rigorous but also demonstrates commercial viability and immediate clinical impact. Adkins’s ability to immerse himself in customer discovery and entrepreneurial competitions while developing groundbreaking technologies positions him as a rising leader in healthcare innovation.”
Congrats to Michael Adkins for being selected as one of three advisors for the NIH NICHD professional develop planning group. Michael will be advising NIH program staff on professional development programs, info sessions, and workshops for trainees in biomedical research. Through this unique experience he will network directly with NIH program officers, gain exposure to NIH processes, opportunities, and careers, and enhance the way NIH supports trainees. Congrats Michael!
A paper led by Caleb Thomson was recently published in the Journal of Neural Engineering. The paper is titled: “Enhancing neuroprosthesis calibration: the advantage of integrating prior training over exclusive use of new data” and was coauthored by Troy N Tully, Eric S Stone, Christian B Morrell, Erik J Scheme, David J Warren, Douglas T Hutchinson, Gregory A Clark and Jacob A George.
Three undergraduate research fellows from the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab, Jeremi Godbout, Rebecca Urban, and Nathan Wallace, presented their research at the Utah Conference of Undergraduate Research (UCUR) held at the University of Utah. UCUR is an annual conference celebrating and highlighting undergraduate research. This event demonstrates and celebrates undergraduate research and creative work from 10 colleges and universities in Utah. Students of all disciplines from around the state share the results of their investigations with other students, faculty, field specialists, and the public. Jeremi’s, Rebecca’s, and Nathan’s presentations were:
Congratulations to Caleb Thomson on being selected as a recipient of the Trainee Professional Development Award (TPDA) by the Society for Neuroscience (SfN). This prestigious award recognizes trainee researchers who have demonstrated scientific merit and excellence in research. As part of the award, Caleb will receive complimentary registration to the SfN 2022 Annual Meeting and $1,000 to help with travel costs to the conference. Additionally, Caleb will present his poster in a session with other awardees, attend at least two Professional Development Workshops, and access the TPDA online community for the next year.
At SfN, Caleb will present his work on improving myoelectric control for assistive robotic devices and inclusive virtual reality experiences.
Congratulations to Cassandra, Mia, Nathan, and Jérémi for being awarded undergraduate research fellowships for Spring 2022! Their award-winning research projects are listed below:
These prestigious research fellowships are awarded through the University of Utah’s Office of Undergraduate Research. Congratulations to these super-star undergraduates!