Shows
ImpacTechPrecision in Motion Part 2Host(s): Dr. Mary Goldberg, Co-Director of the IMPACT Center at the University of PittsburghGuest(s): Student Design Team - HAT, University of Washington: Yuka Fan, Emily Boeschoten, Adria Gonzalez, Sasha PortnovaIMPACT Center | Website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter HAT Team Information | Video, Website, Publication Discussion TopicsRESNA Student Design Challenge ExperienceBridging the Gap Between Technology and Real-World UseNext Steps for the Hand Assessment Tool (HAT)Advice for Other Student InnovatorsVision for Real-World Impact
2025-08-1916 minImpacTechPrecision in MotionHost(s): Dr. Mary Goldberg, Co-Director of the IMPACT Center at the University of PittsburghGuest(s): Student Design Team - HAT, University of Washington: Yuka Fan, Emily Boeschoten, Adria Gonzalez, Sasha PortnovaIMPACT Center | Website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter HAT Team Information | Video, Website, PublicationTranscript | Word Doc, PDF Discussion TopicsIntro & Episode OverviewTeam Formation and BackgroundsClinical Motivation Behind HATHow HAT WorksTech Design Choices (Leap vs Webcam)Reliability Testing InsightsInclusivity and Accessibility in DesignOT Perspective on Disability RepresentationClosing & Teaser for Part 2
2025-07-2925 min
Gears of Progress22. Martha Hall: on fashion science, wearable technology, and the 5F frameworkIn this episode of "Gears of Progress," we dive into the fascinating world of fashion science with Dr. Martha Hall (website, LinkedIn), a pioneer in integrating fashion design with health sciences and engineering. Discover how Dr. Hall's unique interdisciplinary approach is transforming wearable technology and adaptive fashion, enhancing the quality of life for diverse populations. From innovative smart materials to user-centered design, explore the cutting-edge projects that are redefining the boundaries of fashion and function. Join us for an inspiring conversation that challenges conventional design paradigms and celebrates the power of collaboration across disciplines.
2025-07-181h 03
BBC Music Introducing MixtapeWith a new Track of the Week from holybonesEmily Pilbeam presents a mixtape of her personal selection of tracks from BBC Introducing, with Reuben James feat. Jay Prince, Sasha Assad, Portnova, GREAT ADAMZ, Getdown Services, Bucktooth, Hotel Lux, Me Lost Me, Nina Cobham, Renee Stormz, Lambrini Girls, Divorce, MORN, Bonuru, and a new Track Of The Week from holybones
2025-06-2300 min
Gears of Progress21. Josh Caputo: on Humotech, robotic emulators, and entrepreneurshipJosh Caputo(LinkedIn, Google Scholar, personal website) is the founder and CEO of Humotech, a company that specializes in wearable robotic systems for biomechanics research, rehabilitation, and assistive device development. In this episode, we discuss his journey from mechanical engineering to the field of assistive technology and rehabilitation robotics. Josh shares insights into his PhD research on prosthetic ankles, the challenges and motivations behind starting Humotech, and the company's current focus on developing innovative solutions for the research field. The conversation also explores the open-source leg project, an initiative aimed at making advanced robotic prosthetic legs more accessible for...
2025-02-211h 12
Gears of Progress20. Jae Lee: on augmented reality, human computer interaction, and designing for everyoneIn this conversation, Sasha interviews Jay Lee (website, LinkedIn, Google Scholar), an HCI researcher from Makeability Lab at the University of Washington focused on augmented reality and accessibility for low vision individuals. They discuss Jay's journey into HCI, the importance of accessibility in technology, and various projects he has worked on, including AR applications for sports and cooking. The conversation highlights the growing interest in accessibility research within the HCI community and the potential for AR technologies to enhance daily life for individuals with disabilities. Jae expresses his vision for creating accessible AR solutions that cater to diverse populations...
2025-02-0755 min
Gears of ProgressSp 8. AT Innovation Lab at Blythedale Children's: on innovations in pediatric AT, role of rehabilitation engineers, and gaming as a form of rehabilitaitonIn this episode, Sasha speaks with Andres Guerrero, a rehabilitation engineer, and Jean Marie Florkowski, an occupational therapist, about their work at Blythedale Children's Hospital. They discuss the integration of rehabilitation engineering with clinical practices, the role of assistive technology in pediatric therapy, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. The conversation also touches on the challenges of communication between engineers and clinicians, the impact of adaptive toys on child development, and the future of assistive technology, including brain-computer interfaces and gaming.
Useful resources:
To learn more about the rehabilitation engineering work and at...
2025-01-1742 min
Gears of ProgressSp 7. ATPs at Blythedale Children's: on pediatric assistive technologies, AAC devices, and role of ATPs at BlythedaleThis conversation features a group of assistive technology professionals (ATPs) from Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla, NY, discussing their roles, experiences, and the evolution of assistive technology in pediatric care. They are:
Karen Conti (Assistant Director of Physical Therapy/Assistive Technology Professional)
Barbara Donleavy-Hiller (Senior Occupational Therapist/Assistive Technology Professional)
Marnina Allis (Assistant Director of Speech Pathology/Assistive Technology Professional)
They share personal journeys that led them to Blythedale, the importance of assistive technology in enhancing children's potential, and the challenges faced in accessing and delivering these technologies. The discussion also highlights the advancements...
2025-01-0358 min
Gears of Progress19. Max Ortiz-Catalan: on neuroprosthetics, phantom limb pain, and humanitarian efforts in UkraineDr. Max Ortiz-Catalan (LinkedIn, Google Scholar, website) shares his journey from electronics engineering to becoming a leading expert in neuroprosthetics. He discusses the challenges of medical device regulation across the world, the advancements in control mechanisms for prosthetics, and
the role of machine learning in decoding user intentions. The
conversation also touches on cultural perspectives regarding prosthetic acceptance and the importance of neuroplasticity in enhancing sensory feedback for users. Max discusses the complexities of neural interfaces and sensory feedback in
prosthetics, the challenges of treating phantom limb pain, and his humanitarian efforts in Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.
2024-12-201h 08
Gears of ProgressSp 6. Speech Accessibility Project: on speech recognition models, collaboration with tech giants, and the role of SLPsIn this conversation, Dr. Mark Hasegawa-Johnson (LinkedIn, Google Scholar), professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois, and Clarion Mendes (LinkedIn), a professor of Speech and Hearing Science at the University of Illinois, discuss the Speech Accessibility Project, which aims to improve speech recognition technology for individuals with speech impairments. They explore the evolution of speech recognition, the variability of speech
impairments, the role of clinicians, the recording process,
collaborations with tech giants, data privacy challenges, and the diverse populations involved in the project. They emphasize the importance of communication in daily life and express excitement...
2024-12-1142 min
SpotlightEpisode 19: Sasha Portnova: The Journey of a NIDILRR Fellow and the Role of Podcasts in Science
In this episode of NARIC's Spotlight Podcast, Jess Chaiken speaks with Dr. Sasha Portnova about Dr. Portnova's experiences as a NIDILRR-funded fellow, her work in rehabilitation research, and the inspiration behind her podcast, Gears of Progress. They discuss the importance of scientific communication, mentorship, and the future of research in assistive technology.
Resources discussed in this episode:
Dr. Portnova's Gears in Progress podcast.
Transcripts are available on our website:
Spotlight Podcast | National Rehabilitation Information Center.
2024-11-2022 min
Gears of Progress18. Susannah Engdahl: on upper-limb prosthetics, sonomyography, and health equityDr. Susanna Engdahl (Google Scholar, LinkedIn) shares her journey from a physics background to becoming a researcher in upper-limb prosthetics. She emphasizes the importance of user perspectives in prosthetic design and the need for a balanced approach to technology and patient care. She also highlights her post-PhD work in advocacy and the development of new prosthetic control systems, such as sonomyography. Susannah emphasizes the importance of considering user performance, device reliability, and the need for participatory design in research.
This episode was powered by:
Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology a...
2024-11-1549 min
Gears of Progress17. Rory Cooper: on rehabilitation engineering, evolution of wheelchair design, and Paralympic sportsIn this conversation, Dr. Rory Cooper (LinkedIn, Google Scholar) shares his journey into rehabilitation engineering, discussing the evolution of wheelchair design, to which he contributed a tremendous amount, the importance of designing with people with disabilities, and the challenges of accessibility in assistive technology. At the University of Pittsburgh, he heads the Human Engineering Research Laboratory. He emphasizes the need for evidence-based solutions and the impact of societal changes on the perception of disabilities. The discussion also touches on his experiences in the Paralympics as both an athlete and a sports scientist. The conversation also touches on the significance...
2024-11-011h 06
Gears of ProgressSp 5. CYBATHLON: on assistive technology competition, importance of user-center design, and its impact across the globeIn this conversation, Sasha and Anni Kern, Staff of Community & Outreach at ETH Zurich, discuss the CYBATHLON, an event that promotes the development of assistive technology through friendly competition. Anni shares insights on the event's evolution, the importance of user-centered design, and the various disciplines involved
in the competition. They also explore the impact of CYBATHLON on accessibility and inclusion, as well as future innovations in assistive technology, particularly in the realm of brain-computer interfaces.
The CYBATHLON competition will take place on Oct 25-27 in Zurich, Switzerland. It can also be streamed live here.
This...
2024-10-1844 min
Gears of Progress16. Drew Redepenning: on adaptive gaming, importance of accessibility features, and the role of assistive tech professionalsDrew Redepenning (University of Pittsburgh profile) is a physical medicine and rehabilitation resident physician, biomedical engineer, and certified assistive technology specialist, with a passion for adaptive gaming. In this episode, we discuss the evolution and importance of adaptive gaming, the challenges of funding and accessibility, and the creation of Gaming Readapted, a resource for adaptive gaming equipment. Drew shares insights on evaluating adaptive controllers, the growing field of adaptive e-sports, and the role of assistive technology specialists. You can find other useful resources on adaptive gaming here.
This episode is powered by:
CREATE (the Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology...
2024-10-0441 min
Gears of ProgressSp 4. HuskyADAPT: on toy adaptation, universal design, and importance of student-led organizationsHuskyADAPT is a student organization at the University of Washington that supports accessible design and inclusive play technology. It started as a toy adaptation club and grew into a larger organization that focuses on universal design and includes design teams that work on projects that address specific needs of individuals with disabilities with the goal to create usable and workable solutions. The organization also hosts toy adaptation events with partners like Microsoft and Google. The adapted toys are donated to individuals and organizations in the community. The main aim of HuskyADAPT to make play accessible for all children and...
2024-08-3057 min
Gears of Progress15. Megan O'Brien: on wearable technology, neuroeconomics of movement, and AI for personalized medicineIn this episode, Dr. Megan O'Brien (LinkedIn, Google Scholar, personal webpage) discusses her journey to becoming an Associate Director at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, her work in wearable technology for improving and tracking movement in people with disabilities, and the role of neuroeconomics in movement research. The conversation covers the challenges and opportunities of using wearable technology in rehab engineering, focusing on data accuracy, privacy concerns, and the role of AI.
This episode is powered by:
CREATE (the Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences) at the University of Washington
RESNA (the R...
2024-07-1252 min
Gears of Progress14. Mohanraj Thirumalai: on recreational assistive tech, accessibility of sports and exercise, and industry standard development for ATDr. Mohanraj Thirumalai (LinkedIn) is an assistant professor at the University of Birmingham, Alabama, and a director of the NIDILRR-funded Rehab Engineering Research Center on Recreational Technologies (RERC RecTech). In this episode, he discusses the work being done in the field of recreational assistive technology at the RecTech center. Founded in 2002, it focuses on developing and adapting technologies to increase access to exercise, sports, and recreation for people with disabilities. Examples of projects include the development of a low-cost, portable frame running device and an active video gaming controller that can be used with any game. The center also...
2024-06-2148 min
Gears of ProgressSp 3. Melissa Boswell and Hannah O'Day: on "Biomechanics on Our Minds" podcast and importance of science communicationIn this episode of Gears of Progress, Drs. Hanna O'Day (Google Scholar, Twitter, LinkedIn) and Melissa Boswell (Google Scholar, Twitter, LinkedIn), former PhD students of Scott Delp at Stanford University, discuss their journey into biomechanics, the creation of the podcast 'Biomechanics on Our Minds' (BOOM), and the impact of the International Society of Biomechanics on their work. They also share insights into their favorite episodes, the evolution of the podcast, and the role of the biomechanics community in supporting their endeavors. The conversation covers the journey of the 'BOOM' podcast, including its inception, growth, challenges, and future aspirations. It...
2024-06-0950 min
Gears of Progress13. Beth Halsne: on patient-centric prosthetic feet prescription, role of prosthetists in research, and engineering innovation in healthBeth Halsne (website, Google Scholar, LinkedIn) is a certified prosthetist/orthotist and a principal investigator at the Center for Limb Loss and MoBility (CLiMB) at the VA Puget Sound in Seattle, WA and an Affiliate Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington. Her major research project includes work on patient-centered prosthetic feet prescription, utilizing Humotech's emulator. In this episode, we discussed the winding road she took from the P&O school and to getting a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences.
This episode is powered by:
CREATE (the Center for Research and Education on Access...
2024-05-241h 02
Gears of Progress12. Chu Li: on accessibility of urban design, Project Sidewalk, and global efforts to improve urban accessChu Li (Twitter, Google Scholar, LinkedIn, personal website) is a PhD student in Makeability Lab at the University of Washington. Her work lies at the intersection of urban science and accessibility. In this episode, we talked about her journey into the field of human-computer interactions, Project Sidewalk and Chu's involvement in it, and pondered on what it would take to improve the perspectives on urban accessibility across the world.
This episode is powered by:
CREATE (the Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences) at the University of Washington
RESNA (the Rehabilitation Engineering and assistive technology Society of North America)
NIDILRR...
2024-05-1054 min
Gears of Progress11. Benjamin Conner: on exoskeletons for gait training, translational valley of death, and the value of MD/PhD programsBenjamin Conner (Google Scholar, LinkedIn) got an MD/PhD in clinical translational sciences from University of Arizona, shares his journey from studying biology and anthropology to biomechanics and exoskeleton implementation. He discusses the importance of mentors and the impact of movement as medicine. Ben explains the role of an MD/PhD in bridging the gap between basic science research and clinical care. He highlights the challenges of the translational valley of death and the disconnect between research priorities and patient needs. Ben also provides an overview of his PhD work on using an exoskeleton device as a training system...
2024-04-261h 05
Gears of ProgressSp 2. Rita Stanley: on policy making, role of reimbursement codes for assistive technologies, and how to make AT more accessible.Rita Stanely (LinkedIn) is a long-time advocate for making assistive technology more accessible. She has worked in and around the policy-making world for several decades and dedicated her life understanding how science can influence policy. In this episode, we have covered the topics of policy making in the spaces of rehab engineering and assistive tech, what researchers in AT should know about reimbursement codes and policy when developing new tech to ensure its accessible to the intended population, and how our government's view has changed about the importance of providing rehab and assistive tech in the last 20 years.
2024-04-1249 min
Gears of Progress10. Ben Schouten: on role of playful interactions in rehabilitation, serious games, and accessibility of gaming environmentsBen Schouten (Google Scholar, personal webpage) is a proffessor of Playful Interactions in Smart Environments at
Eindhoven University of Technology and a lector of Play & Civic Media Research at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. His work focuses on play and design for social innovations, citizen empowerment, and culture as well as toy development for the purpose of rehabilitation.
In this episode, Ben and I covered what serious games are, his work in incorporating playful interactions in medical settings, the powerful use of mixed-reality games to "step into someone's shoes", and the importance of participatory design.
...
2024-03-2945 min
Gears of Progress9. Spero Koulouras: on Autonomous Living Technologies, filling the gaps in current assistive tech, and paving the path for a more accessible futureSpero Koulouras is a computer engineer by training and an entrepreneur by heart. One of his latest ventures is Auli.Tech, a company that designs open-source applications and devices enabling individuals to overcome intramuscular and vocal impairments.
In this episode, Spero discusses his journey in the tech industry and his experience with ALS diagnosis 5 years ago, which got him on the path of developing assistive technologies like Cato. Cato is a small device that uses motion recognition and AI to enable control of things such as computer mouse, keyboard, game controller, and even a harness.
2024-03-1559 min
Gears of Progress8. Nataliya Rokhmanova: on haptic feedback, international PhD program, and fantastic figures and where to find themNataliya Rokhmanova (Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Scholar) is a PhD student in the joint program between Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Germany and Carnegie Mellon University in the US. In this episode, we discussed the role of haptics, specifically vibro-tactile feedback, in helping humans improve the way they walk, the benefits of participating in an international PhD program, and her incredible work teaching researchers how to make their scientific figures more readable, engaging, and appealing to improve science communication.
Resources:
SciFig repository for the workshop on explaining scientific findings through figures in publications, presentations, and...
2024-03-081h 00
Gears of Progress7. Alyssa Spomer: on biofeedback technology to improve motor control, ankle exoskeletons, and works as a clinical scientist in a hospitalDr. Alyssa Spomer (LinkedIn, Google Scholar) got her PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington. Her work focused on biofeedback technology to improve motor control in children with cerebral palsy and worked on understanding how interpretable machine learning methods can be used to identify factors of response to a resistive ankle exoskeleton (Biomotum).
In this episode, we discussed what it takes to write a winning NSF Graduate Research Fellowship application, how common emulation of disabled gait patterns are in rehab engineering research, and how different doing science in a hospital in comparison to academia.
2024-02-2356 min
Gears of ProgressSp 1. RESNA's guidelines and priorities for assistive technology and rehabilitation engineering researchIn this episode, I talked with Maureen Linden, an executive director of the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation at Georgia Tech and a former president of Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). The topic of our discussion was RESNA's Guidelines and Priorities for Assistive Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering Research. We discussed several aspects of how research in rehab engineering and AT should be pursued, such as user involvement, universal design approach, science translation, and performance standards. We also went over what areas RESNA identified as research priorities to be pursued back in 2014 when the...
2024-02-1658 min
Gears of Progress6. Jessica Garries: on pediatric exoskeletons, R&D industry of assistive technologies, and what makes an innovation successfulJessica Garries (LinkedIn) received her BSc and MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington. During her undergraduate capstone project for the Engineering
Innovation in Health class, she and her classmates got to work on transforming an existing exoskeleton for individuals with stroke from Cadence Biomedical into a pediatric solution for children with cerebral palsy - PlayGait. Jessica’s capstone team later patented the exoskeleton and she continued to develop it during her Master’s degree, receiving $95,000 in funding to support her work. Her work with PlayGait didn’t stop even after Jessica joined Orthocare Innovations, a Seattle-based R&D co...
2024-02-091h 04
Gears of Progress5. Kim Ingraham: on personalized controllers for lower-limb assistive robotics, powered mobility devices for kids, and a path to a faculty positionDr. Kim Ingraham (LinkedIn, Twitter) is an assistant professor at the University of Washington in the Department of Electrical &Computer Engineering. Kim has an extensive research background creating personalized controllers for lower-limb assistive robotics, such as exoskeletons and prosthetics, and evaluating powered mobility devices for children with disabilities. In this episode, we discussed her winding path to academic research, from an internship at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to a faculty position and leading her own lab (Ingraham Lab) at the University of Washington.
This episode is powered by:
CREATE (the Center for Research and Educ...
2024-01-2653 min
Gears of Progress4. Fatma Inanici: on spinal stimulation to restore hand function, wonders of noninvasive interventions, and research differences across the worldDr. Fatma Inanici (LinkedIn, Twitter) is a research faculty at the University of Washington’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, who has started her academic career back in Turkey, studying fibromyalgia. In this episode, we talked about how she has been applying the spinal stimulation technology to restore hand function in individuals with spinal cord injury and stroke, the
opportunities of noninvasive interventions, and cultural differences that affect how research is conducted in different countries. We also discussed unexpected yet positive effects of spinal stimulation on individuals with disabilities, such as improving thermoregulation, heart rate, and so much more.
...
2024-01-1246 min
Gears of Progress3. Charlotte Caskey: on spinal stimulation in children with cerebral palsy, fancy neuroscience, and balance between clinical research and real worldCharlotte Caskey (LinkedIn) is a fifth year PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington at
the Steele Lab. Her work focuses on studying how non-invasive spinal stimulation affects walking and neuromechanics in children with cerebral palsy. In this episode, we discussed her road to where she is now, the opportunities the non-invasive spinal stimulation brought to the field of lower-limb rehabilitation, what the hopes for it are in the research and rehab communities, and how to strive for the balance between research in clinical settings and outside world. More on the spinal stimulation work can be...
2023-12-2946 min
Gears of Progress2. Mia Hoffman: on early childhood mobility, young kids as participants, and accessibility of research for people with disabilitiesMia Hoffman is a third-year PhD student (personal page, Twitter) at the University of Washington’s Steele Lab. Her main research motto is “Let kids be kids”, and all of her work is a true reflection of it. In just two years at UW, she has engaged in multiple projects that we discussed in this episode that focus on early childhood mobility (ride-on cars and harness systems) and the development of simple switch access toolkits to improve accessibility of toys for kids of all abilities. We also discussed the importance of qualitative research in the field of assistive tech and to...
2023-12-151h 12
Gears of Progress1. Elijah Kuska: on computational biomechanics, synergies debates, and importance of education accessibilityDr. Elijah Kuska (Twitter, Google Scholar profile) received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington at the Steele Lab. His dissertation is titled In Silico Techniques to Improve Understanding of Gait in Cerebral Palsy and can be accessed here. We talked about the applicability of computation biomechanics and modeling in rehab engineering, discussed synergies and the never-ending debate around them, the importance of improving accessibility in higher education, and his goals for the teaching professor position at the Colorado School of Mines.
This episode is powered by:
CREATE (the Center...
2023-12-0259 min
Gears of ProgressTeaser: What "Gears of Progress" Is AboutLearn more about what is in store at "Gears of Progress", a podcast about exciting research and innovations in rehabilitation engineering and assistive technologies.
2023-09-0601 min