Category: Presentation

Joshua Gubler Presents at Research on Capitol Hill

Josh Gubler, an undergraduate student in biomedical engineering at the University of Utah, recently presented his research at the Research on Capitol Hill (ROCH) event on January 18th, 2024. The event, organized by the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Office of Government Relations, and the Office of Undergraduate Research, provides a platform for selected students to present their research findings to Utah State legislators. Gubler’s participation underscores the significance of undergraduate research and creative work from the University of Utah and Utah State University, the top two research universities in the state.

Gubler’s research at ROCH focused on finding strategies to downsample EMG (Electromyography) signals while maintaining good control. His work addresses practical applications at the intersection of biomedical engineering and signal processing. The event allowed him to engage with legislators, showcasing the real-world impact of his research and contributing to the broader conversation on the importance of supporting undergraduate academic endeavors, particularly in areas like biomedical engineering. The collaborative effort between university offices in selecting and showcasing students like Gubler reflects the institutions’ commitment to fostering a vibrant undergraduate research community across diverse disciplines.

See Josh’s poster here.

Next Steps in Clinical Translation

The Utah NeuroRobotics Lab is teaming up with Biological Input Output Systems (BIOS) to bring advanced neuroprostheses to the market. In this presentation at the Utah Life Sciences Summit, Dr. George, director of the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab, presents alongside Joshua Miller, CEO of BIOS. Check out their presentation below!

Rehab Week & ICORR 2023

On September 24-28, many members of the lab attended Rehab Week 2023 in Singapore to present their work at the International Consortium for Rehabilitation Robotics (ICORR). This meeting is sponsored by both the IEEE Robotics & Automation Society (RAS) as well as Engineering Medicine & Biology Society (EMBS). Rehab Week included simultaneous meetings from nine different physical rehabilitation and rehabilitation technology societies. Attendees participated in one day of conference workshops before the remaining four days of talks and presentations. In their free time, attendees explored Singapore’s famous hawker food centers, botanical gardens, and diverse cultural neighborhoods!

Lab alumnus Aaron Wang presented an impressive podium talk on his paper titled “Correcting Temporal Inaccuracies in Labeled Training Data for Electromyographic Control Algorithms.”

Ph.D. students Michael Adkins, Monika Buczak, and Connor Olsen each presented posters on their papers of the following titles:

  • Adkins: “Automated Quantifiable Assessments of Sensorimotor Function Using an Instrumented Fragile Object”
  • Buczak: “Intuitive, Myoelectric Control of Adaptive Sports Equipment for Individuals with Tetraplegia”
  • Olsen: “Wrist EMG Improves Gesture Classification for Stroke Patients

Presentations at the Utah Biomedical Engineering Conference

Several students presented posters at the Utah Biomedical Engineering Conference on Saturday, September 9th. Presentations included:

  • Fredi Mino – Co-Adaptive Myoelectric Control: A Framework that Equalizes Human Computer-Interaction for Stroke Survivors
  • Abigail Harrison – Transcutaneous Wrist Stimulation Provides Sensory Feedback for Augmented and Virtual Reality
  • Connor Olsen – Wrist EMG Improves Gesture Classification for Stroke Patients
  • Jared Zollinger – Development of a Surface Electromyography Integrated Low-Cost Control System for Assistive Robotic Devices
  • Michael Adkins & Nate Toth – Automated Quantifiable Assessments of Sensorimotor Function Using an Instrumented Fragile Object
  • Bret Mecham – MAV of Peripheral Nerve Activity Has More Predictive Power than Firing Rate for Neuroprostheses
  • Caleb Thomson – Proportional Myoelectric Control of a Bionic Arm in Participants with Chronic Hemiparesis, Muscle Spasticity, and Impaired Range of Motion
  • Monika Buczak – Intuitive, Myoelectric Control of Adaptive Sports Equipment for Individuals with Tetraplegia

    • Gould Distinguished Lecture on Technology and the Quality of Life: From a sci-fi dream to real-world impact

    In 2019, Jacob George, an assistant professor in the University of Utah Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and fellow researchers at the U made waves with the “LUKE Arm.” Named after the robotic hand given to Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back, the team’s prosthetic arm has the ability to feel objects by transmitting the appropriate signals to the brain. Not only can the arm feel, but it can be controlled by the user’s thoughts.

    Members of the campus and broader community are invited to attend a lecture from George scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. in the Gould Auditorium on the first level of the U’s J. Willard Marriott Library.

    As the featured speaker for The William R. and Erlyn J. Gould Distinguished Lecture on Technology and the Quality of Life, George will highlight this technology and the advances that have taken place since their breakthrough technology was first announced—including translation into bionic exoskeletons to aid individuals with paralysis and into smartwatches that could allow anyone to seamlessly control smart devices and augmented reality interfaces by thought.

    Click here to read the full press release.

    Utah NeuroRobotics Lab Commends Exceptional High School Researchers

    The Utah NeuroRobotics Lab recently welcomed two exceptional high school students, Mingchuan Cheng from West High School and Sophie Nelson from Murray High School, as participants in the College of Engineering’s Summer Research Internship program. Cheng and Nelson made impressive strides in their research project titled “Classification of Activities of Daily Living from Muscle Activity,” with the culmination of their efforts showcased at a symposium on August 4th, 2023.

    Their innovative study focused on the classification of activities of daily living (ADL) based on muscle activity data collected from the wrist, forearm, and bicep. This research could have far-reaching implications for fields such as assistive technology and rehabilitation medicine.

     

    Utah Conference of Undergraduate Research

    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:

    • Jeremi Godbout – Developing a Vibrotactile Sensory Feedback for Adaptive Skiing
    • Rebecca Urban – Engineering a Sense of Touch: Time Cues in Frequency Enhance Intensity Discrimination
    • Nathan Wallace – Low-cost, Multiarticulate, Upper-limb Exoskeleton

    Research on Capitol Hill

    Two undergraduate research fellows from the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab, Nathan Wallace and Rebecca Urban, presented their research at the Utah state capitol today. Utah’s Research on Capitol Hill (ROCH) is an annual celebration of undergraduate research. This event demonstrates and celebrates undergraduate research and creative work from the top two research universities in Utah: Utah State University and the University of Utah. Students of all disciplines from around the state share the results of their investigations with legislators and the public. Nathan's and Rebecca's presentations were:

    • Nathan Wallace - A Low-Cost, Multiarticulate, Upper-Limb Exoskeleton
    • Rebecca Urban - Timing Cues Enhance Intensity Discrimination at Low Electrocutaneous Pulse  Frequencies

    Dr. George Presents at Brain and Medicine

    Brain and Medicine (BAM) is a united effort to build a conversation around the emergence of technology in the Life Science Industry. At the BAM 2022 panel, investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators were invited to join in to hear the deep knowledge that the BAM speakers and attendees have.

    The BAM 2022 lineup of industry professionals included some of the brightest in their respective fields.

    The Guest Panelist asking inquisitive questions was Steven Christiansen a doctoral candidate in Biochemistry at BYU.

    Speaker #1
    Founder and Ceo of Vistim Labs, James Hamet covered the growth of AI and Machine Learning/ Diagnostics.

    Speaker #2
    Assistant Professor and Director of the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab, Dr. Jacob A. George covered brain interfacing technology and industry advancements.

    Speaker #3
    Reid Robison covered his 30+ years of experience in the psychology industry as well as the study and use of plant based Nootropics / Psychedelics.

    If you are, or have ever been interested in the field of Medtech, Biotech, Health Tech, BAM is the place for you.

    Dr. George Presents at NIH NCMRR Seminar

    Dr. George recently gave a presentation to the National Center of Medical Rehabilitation Research. The purpose of the series is to highlight the great rehabilitation research by NIH grantees. This Fall edition featured AI/ML. Dr. George gave a 15-minute talk about his ongoing NIH-funded work involving AI/ML. The audience for his talk was a unique mix of NIH staff and attendees from the rehabilitation research community. You can watch the talk here: https://videocast.nih.gov/watch=48519