Category: Social

BioHive Features BIOS–U of U Collaboration on Bionic Sensation

BioHive recently highlighted Jacob A. George, Chief Scientist at Biologic Input Output Systems (BIOS), discussing how their Universal Neural Interface is helping people with limb loss regain both movement and real, emotional sensation—often for the first time in decades. In a recent LinkedIn post featuring a video interview, BioHive showcases how BIOS is working with the University of Utah and the NeuroRobotics Lab to engineer advanced prosthetic limbs that reconnect patients with the world around them.

AI & Bionics: Utah NeuroRobotics Lab Featured in U of U AI Story

The University of Utah’s Office of Artificial Intelligence recently highlighted the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab for its groundbreaking work using AI to design bionic devices that restore movement and sensation for people with neuromuscular impairments. Led by Solzbacher-Chen Endowed Professor Jacob A. George, the lab bridges engineering, medicine, and advanced AI to create prosthetic and assistive technologies that improve independence and quality of life. Read the full feature here.

2024 Annual Lab Ski Day

Another great annual lab ski day! This year we went to Solitude with some uncertain conditions in the forecast. We always plan our annual ski day in the Spring, around late April, when there's a good chance for a warm sunny spring skiing day. This year, the forecast called for cold rain! We went up anyway, and fortunately the forecast was wrong! It was light snow most of the morning, blue skies in the afternoon, and then it started snowing again after lunch. It turned out to be surprisingly good snow for such a late season storm. We had some pizza, beer, and shots (?!) at The Thirsty Squirrel bar in Solitude Village. A great time as always!

Farewell Lunch for Manya Murali

On Thursday, August 24th, the lab held a farewell lunch for Manya Murali, an undergraduate in Computer Engineering at University of California, Davis. Manya was awarded a summer fellowship through the SPUR program here at the U, and we all enjoyed having her as a member of the lab the last few months. We are wishing the best of luck to her in the continuation of her studies!

Happy Holidays from the PM&R Family

Happy Holidays from the PM&R Family! Each winter the PM&R faculty and staff gather to celebration another year of success. This year, we reflected on our impressive research growth, including new faculty members, new research space, and new funded projects. Here's to a great 2023!

2nd Annual Lab Ski Day

Today we celebrated another great year together in the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab! And we couldn't have asked for better weather! It was 70 and sunny on the slopes and most of us skied in a t-shirt. After a couple of laps down the mountain, we brought out the grill and had a cookout on the ski "beach." A great annual tradition to celebrate our successes, strengthen our team, spark new ideas, and to just relax in the mountains.

Welcome to Monika, Tara and Carlee

Today we officially welcome Monika Buczak, Princess (Tara) Zamani and Carlee Hardy to the lab.

  • Monika is pursuing her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and will be leading the development of new measures of hand dexterity and thought-based control of adaptive sports technology.
  • Tara is pursuing her M.S. project in Electrical & Computer Engineering and will be working to develop novel neural features for estimating motor intent from implanted peripheral nerve interfaces.
  • Carlee is pursuing her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and will be exploring how we can modify fingertip grip to improve dexterity.

The Utah NeuroRobotics lab is excited to officially have these three join our team, and we look forward to seeing their exciting projects develop!

Welcome to Brandon, Shaila, and Connor!

Today we officially welcome Brandon Baum, Shaila Collins and Connor Olsen to the lab. After a fun summer rotation, we're excited to have them join us full time this Fall.

  • Brandon is pursuing his M.S. thesis in Mechanical Engineering and will be leading the design and validation of a new sensorized object for rapid, quantifiable and systematic measures of hand dexterity.
  • Shaila is pursuing her M.S. project in Electrical & Computer Engineering and will be exploring how hand kinematics change after neurological impairments such as stroke or spinal cord injury.
  • Connor is pursuing his Ph.D. in Electrical & Computer Engineering and will be exploring how semi-autonomous bionic devices can be used to enhance dexterity and reduce cognitive load.

The Utah NeuroRobotics lab is excited to officially have these three join our team, and we look forward to their exciting projects!

Dillon Crytser Wins the Summer Games Tournament!

The NeuroRobotics social committee hosted a summer games tournament where lab members competed across various games throughout the summer to see who will be crowned the ultimate winner! Today we finished out the tournament with a double-elimination bracket of ladder toss. Matt took first place, Shaila came in second, Dillon got third, and Adrian finished in fourth. This brings us to the final standings... drum roll please!

FINAL STANDINGS
1. Dillon Crytser (10 points)
2. Matt Ludlow (7 points)
2. Jake George (7 points)
3. Wyatt Fullmer (4 points)
4. Ruby Law (3 points)
4. Caleb Thomson (3 points)
4. Shaila Collins (3 points)
5. Kennedy Powell (2 points)
6. Adrian Porras (1 point)

Congratulations to Dillon Crytser - the 2021 NeuroRobotics Summer Games Champion!