The University of Pittsburgh has established a hub to research the use of smart technologies to improve the lives and increase the independence of individuals with paralysis.
The SmartTech Implementation Hub for Paralysis Care will combine researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) and the School of Medicine.
"As smart technology continues to develop, it is our mission to find novel ways to integrate the most cutting-edge technology with the latest patient care initiatives," Gwendolyn Sowa, chair of the School of Medicine's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, said in a prepared statement.
The hub will be led by Dan Ding, vice chair for research and translation for SHRS' Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, and Lynn Worobey, an assistant professor with research interests in spinal cord injury and assistive technology.
"With technology now increasingly woven into every facet of our lives, the system approach we are taking promises to bridge the technology gap, ensuring accessibility and full utilization for individuals with paralysis," Ding said in a prepared statement. "I am very excited and grateful to have this opportunity to bring together a great team that shares our vision and passion, pooling resources and expertise toward a meaningful mission to empower people with paralysis through emerging technology."
Work to establish the hub began after an anonymous donor gifted the university $5 million to fund the research.
