REU Site: American Student Placements and Internships in Rehabilitation Engineering (ASPIRE)

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Rehabilitation engineering employs a systematic approach to the design, modification, customization and/or fabrication of assistive technology for persons with disabilities. Research efforts in rehabilitation engineering are focused on identifying and addressing problems critical to achieving and maintaining the highest possible level of function in areas related to mobility, communications, sensory (e.g., hearing, tactile, vision), and cognition and in activities associated with employment, independent living, and education. With a research focus on rehabilitation engineering, this ASPIRE REU program hosted by the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) in the University of Pittsburgh is to provide an exemplary mentoring and resourceful environment that enables undergraduate students to 1) transition from dependent to independent thinkers, 2) develop a sense of excitement about entering an engineering or technical field and 3) be well prepared for their future careers. In this REU program, recruitment initiatives emphasize minorities and students with disabilities. Additionally, students who come from institutions with limited research opportunities will receive special consideration. Seminars, workshops, and field trips supplement the educational experience outside of the laboratories. Students in this REU Site are an active participant of a multi-disciplinary research team and acquire ownership of part of a larger-scale or pilot research project. Improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities (Iw/D) is central to the mission of HERL, and this REU offers a unique and supportive environment for developing future research scientists and engineers. The REU experience allows participants to learn from experienced researchers and talented clinicians. These interactions will help them develop their own research skills and carry out future research topics that are important to the large population of Iw/D. HERL's research development objectives will deepen student's understanding related to rehabilitation robotics design, human-robot interaction, and technology transfer.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.