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

康复工程采用系统的方法来设计、修改、定制和/或制造残疾人辅助技术。康复工程的研究工作集中在识别和解决关键问题，以实现和保持最高水平的功能，在有关领域的流动性，通信，感官（例如，听觉、触觉、视觉）和认知，以及与就业、独立生活和教育相关的活动。以康复工程为研究重点，由匹兹堡大学人类工程研究实验室（HERL）主办的ASPIRE REU计划将提供一个示范性的指导和资源丰富的环境，使本科生能够1）从依赖过渡到独立思考者，2）培养对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。在这个REU计划中，招聘计划强调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，讲习班和实地考察补充了实验室以外的教育经验。在这个REU网站的学生是一个多学科的研究团队的积极参与者，并获得一个较大规模或试点研究项目的一部分的所有权。改善残疾人（Iw/D）的生活质量是HERL的使命的核心，这个REU为发展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IW/D的大量人口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价值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.