Category: Presentation

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 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

Dr. George recently presented at the Biohive summit. This was a full-day, in-person event that featured a line-up of incredible speakers. BioHive records more of our popular “BioHive Talks” which highlights thought-provoking and inspiring conversations for our community. Biohive amplifies voices for stakeholders around the state including industry and those outside life sciences. Biohive seeks to share the Utah story and highlight issues that need to be addressed.

The lack of true early-stage capital and innovation developmental support is a major challenge in advancing promising university technology from the lab to commercial and investment partners. Research institutions are leading through the implementation of university gap funding (proof of concept, startup, venture) and accelerator programs to bridge this “valley of death”. Over the past 15 years, these programs have evolved into sophisticated investment, evaluation, development, and commercialization support mechanisms to nurture the most promising opportunities in emerging, high-growth technology areas. Smart companies and investors are taking notice and making it a strategic, external innovation and investment priority to partner with these university gap fund and accelerator programs through applied research, proof of concept projects, corporate venture investments, and advisory/mentorship in return for insights, competitive positioning, and access to future technology and start-ups. COVERGENCE is where we meet, learn, and talk about what we can do together to catalyze innovation through university gap fund and accelerator programs. Dr. George presented at COVERGENCE this year, highlighting his successes bridging academic research and entrepreneurship.

The Utah NeuroRobotics Lab will be at the 2022 Myoelectric Controls Symposium! MEC is a triennial symposium of special interest to those who work in the fields of upper limb prosthetics and myoelectric control (including upper and lower limb). As in previous years, it was hosted by the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, a research institute recognized worldwide for its pioneering work in myoelectric controls. This year, the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab will give six presentations!

• Troy N. Tully, C. J. Thomson, G. A. Clark, J. A. George, “User-Specific Mirror Training Can Improve Myoelectric Prosthesis Control”
• Monika K. Buczak, B. S. Baum, C. D. Olsen, J. A. George, “Disentangling Sensory and Motor Deficits of Fine Hand Function Using an Electronic Grip Gauge (EGG) to Simulate Transferring Fragile Objects”
• Marshall A. Trout, T. C. Hansen, C. D. Olsen, D. J. Warren, J. L. Segil, J. A. George, “Shared Control Decreases the Physical and Cognitive Demands of Maintaining a Secure Grip”
• Caleb J. Thomson, J. A. George, “Proportional Electromyographic Control of a Bionic Arm in a Participant with Chronic Hemiparesis, Muscle Spasticity, and Impaired Range of Motion: A Case Study”
• Abby R. Citterman, T. C. Hansen, E. S. Stone, T. N. Tully, C. M. Baschuk, C. C. Duncan, J. A. George, “Universal Low-Cost Transradial Check Socket for Rapidly Validating Myoelectric Control”
• Connor D. Olsen, T. N. Tully, E. S. Stone, N. R. Olsen, G. A. Clark, J. A. George, “An Inexpensive and Adaptable Prosthetic Wrist Improves Dexterity and Reduces Compensatory Movements”

Each year in Spring, the Department of PM&R holds the Annual James R. Swenson, MD, Scientific Symposium. The Symposium, referred to as "Swenson Day," is in recognition of the founding Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dr. James R. Swenson (November 18, 1933-October 11, 2014), pictured above with a patient. The purpose of the symposium is to encourage the research mission of the department by highlighting recent research produced by department faculty, residents and students. The symposium also brings in external speakers on topics relevant to the department’s research activities. Two graduate students from the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab presented at the 2022 Swenson Day. Connor Olsen, ECE, gave a presentation titled "Electromyographically Controlled Prosthetic Wrist Improves Dexterity and Reduces Compensatory Movements" and Monika Buczak, BME, gave a presentation titled "EGG: A Quantitative Assessment of Hand Dexterity."