Graduate Students
Shahab Karimi
M.S. in Technology 2016 Shahab is studying the bandwidth of human neuromuscular control. Through his research we hope to reduce the occurrence of low back pain by developing more sensitive diagnostic methods and improving the overall understanding of how the brain...
Mitra Shabanisamghabady
M.S. in Technology 2016Mitra is developing better models to understand tumor growth and progression. Through her research we hope to develop a better understanding of how cancer can be treated and ultimately improve patient outcomes. She is now a PhD studnet in...
Kevin Babecki
M.S. in Technology 2014 Kevin's research project is to gain a better understanding of how humans interact with machines, i.e. the Human Machine Interface. He is developing interactive computer simulations to better understand how humans and machines work together to...
Ainhoa Iglesias Díaz
M.S. in Technology 2014 Ainhoa is interested in understanding overuse injuries associated with the overhead movement in tennis. She played on the Tennis Team at WCU and has a BS in Electrical Engineering. She will use computer simulations and human subject experiments...
Justin Guy
M.S. in Technology 2013 Justin is creating a device that uses neuromuscular electrical stimulation to artificially control the activation of muscles. This research will support our research efforts in rehabilitation engineering and the development of assistive devices.
Walter Fox
M.S. in Technology 2013 Walter is developing a Basin of Stability Chair that will be used to measure the stability of the human spine. This device is the first apparatus capable of tracking spinal movement in both the stable and instables regions of state space.
Undergraduates
Jazz Click
Junior Electrical Engineering
Jazz is developing a device to provide positive biofeedback to assist people during stroke rehabilitation gait retraining. The device includes a Arduino Nano microcontroller, foot pressure sensor, microphone, and lithium batteries. During gait retraining, when the patient’s heel strikes the ground (as desired) a positive tone is emitted from the device providing biofeedback to reinforce the motion.
Jason McCurry
B.S. in Electrical Engineering 2015 Jason is working on the electrical design of the powered ankle orthosis. He will also assist with the gait analysis experiments and the development of the FES orthosis.
Arlynn Baker
BS in Engineering, Mechanical Concentration 2018 Arlynn is a Spirit Scholar at WCU. She is studying differences in gait associated with differences in tibial torsion angle. This research is being conduction in colaboration with Dr. Hudson in Physical Therapy. In...
Merab Mushfiq
B.S. Chemistry 2016 Merab is currently investigating how Google Glass can be used to assist people with disabilities. After completing this project she will work with Mitra on cancer modeling. She will be attending graduate school at Virginia Commonwealth University...
Jennie Coffel
B.S. in Anthropology 2013 Jennie studied the axial strength of cadaveric deer bone specimens using a Instron universal testing machine. This research was presented at the 2013 National Conference for Undergraduate Research
Preston Helms
Senior Engineering Technology Preston researched the use of functional electrical stimulation to better understand how it can be used in the design and development of assistive devices.
Rachel Stamey
BA History 2017 Rachel researched the history of "Animal Electricity" to develop a better understand the origins of functional electrical stimulation. There are links to Mary Shelly's Frankenstein and torpedo fish in ancient Greece.
Kaley Geyer
B.S in Chemistry 2013 Kaley is conducting experiments on human stability and balance control. Her work will help improve gait in persons with disabilities. She is interested in developing prosthetics and orthotic devices.
