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

康复工程采用一种系统的方法来设计、修改、定制和/或制造用于残疾人的辅助技术。康复工程学的研究重点是确定和解决在与行动、通信、感觉(例如，听觉、触觉、视觉)和认知相关的领域以及与就业、独立生活和教育相关的活动中实现和保持尽可能高水平功能的关键问题。这项由匹兹堡大学人类工程研究实验室(HERL)主办的ASPIRE REU项目专注于康复工程的研究，旨在提供一个模范的指导和足智多谋的环境，使本科生1)从依赖思维的人转变为独立的思考者，2)培养进入工程或技术领域的兴奋感，3)为他们未来的职业生涯做好准备。在这项REU计划中，招生计划侧重于少数民族和残疾学生。此外，来自研究机会有限的机构的学生将得到特别考虑。研讨会、研讨会和实地考察补充了实验室以外的教育经验。该REU网站的学生是多学科研究团队的积极参与者，并获得更大规模或试验性研究项目的部分所有权。提高残疾人士的生活质量(IW/D)是HELL使命的核心，该REU为培养未来的研究科学家和工程师提供了一个独特的支持性环境。REU的经验使参与者能够向经验丰富的研究人员和有才华的临床医生学习。这些互动将帮助他们发展自己的研究技能，并开展对大量IW/D人群重要的未来研究课题。Herl的研究开发目标将加深学生对康复机器人设计、人机交互和技术转让的理解。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

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.