Author: Admin

NeuroRobotics Lab Awarded NVIDIA Jetson Nanos!

Dr. George was recently awarded a grant from NVIDIA to supply Jetson Nanos for the NeuroRobotics course! A Jetson Nano is a small, powerful computer (similar to a Raspberry Pi) with an embedded GPU to run multiple neural networks in parallel for applications like image classification, object detection, segmentation, and speech processing. It's an easy-to-use platform that runs in as little as 5 watts. These new modules will allow for a variety of deployable AI models for decoding biological signals (to control bionic devices by thought) and encoding neural stimulation (to provide haptic feedback or to animate limbs). Read more about the award here.

Three Undergraduate Researchers Awarded Summer Fellowships!

NeuroRobotics Lab Undergraduates Elaine Wong, Rebecca Urban and Kennedy Powell received research fellowships for Summer 2021 through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. This competitive research fellowship provides a $1,200 stipend and educational programming for undergraduate researcher to carry out a project of their own under the supervision of a faculty member. The awarded proposals were:

  • Elaine Wong, "Wireless Miniature Wearable Surface Electromyography Device for Intuitive Control of Smart Technology"
  • Rebecca Urban, "Discriminability of Electrocutaneous Sensory Feedback"
  • Kennedy Powell, "Robotic Supernumerary Digit to Explore Biological Control of External Devices and Shared Human-Machine Dexterity"

Annual Lab Ski Day!

The Utah NeuroRobotics Lab held out first annual lab ski day at Brighton Ski Resort on April 10, 2021! Less than a 30-minute drive from the lab, Brighton is a excellent ski resort for both beginners and advanced skiers. It was true spring skiing: 70 degrees, sunny bluebird day, and some fresh snow from earlier in the week!

Dr. George awarded the 2021 ACTS Outstanding Trainee: Post-Doctoral Award

Dr. George was awarded the 2021 ACTS Outstanding Trainee: Post-Doctoral Award. This award recognizes those whose translational research progress will have either immediate impact or potential to impact policy, care or public health in the short term. The award is sponsored by Translational Science 2021, the joint annual meeting of the Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS), co-supported by the American Federation for Medical Research (AFMR), Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the PhRMA Foundation and Clinical Research Forum.

Spencer Iverson is now a NeuroRobotics alumni!

Congratulations to Spencer Iverson for landing a stellar job at Icon Health and Fitness. Spencer has been an invaluable asset to our research since 2018. During his time in the lab, Spencer achieved two co-author abstracts, 1 first-author abstract, 2 competitive research fellowships, and 2 competitive research awards! He pioneered the tech behind two new devices in the lab: A tiny low-cost 8-channel EMG chip, and an Arduino-based high-voltage transcutaneous stimulator for sensory feedback and animating limbs. Both of these technologies have enabled exciting new directions for our lab. And Spencer's hard work has paid off - his new job is a stellar gig!  Moving forward, he'll be working on systems-level engineering for a variety of fitness devices and health applications. Congratulations Spencer and thank you for your many contributions to our lab!

Abby Citterman wins first place presentation!

Congratulations to Abby Citterman for winning first place for her poster presentation at the Utah Biomedical Engineering Conference! Abby's research explores how electrocutaneous sensory feedback is perceived - providing insight into the neural basis of touch and guiding the development of novel sensorized bionic devices. You can watch her award-winning presentation below!

Dr. George awarded NIH Director’s Early Independence Award

Dr. George was awarded the NIH Director's Early Independence Award. Part of the NIH’s High-Risk, High-Reward Research program, the Director’s Early Independence Award supports exceptional junior scientists who have recently received their doctoral degree or completed their medical residency to skip traditional post-doctoral training and move immediately into independent research positions. George is one of 13 in the nation who have received this year’s award. He is the first awardee from the University of Utah since the award was established in 2011 and the first awardee in the field of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. George’s award provides $1.8 million over five years to develop thought-controlled bionic exoskeletons to assist and rehabilitate stroke patients. Read more here.