Girija Chetty is a Full Professor in Computing and Information Technology at the University of Canberra's School of Information Technology and Systems. She holds a PhD in Information Sciences and Engineering and has over 35 years of experience in academia and research leadership roles, including Head of Software Engineering and Program Director of ITS courses. Her research focuses on multimodal systems, medical image computing, AI, and data science. She leads a dynamic research group comprising PhD students, postdocs, and international collaborators. Education: PhD in Information Sciences (Australia, 2007), MSc and BSc in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science (India). She has held visiting roles at Deakin University and CSIRO. Research interests span computer vision, pattern recognition, and medical diagnostics, with 200+ publications in top journals/conferences. Her work addresses global challenges via AI-driven solutions in healthcare (e.g., pain assessment systems, malaria diagnostics) and sustainability (SDG impact frameworks). Projects include AI for remote ultrasound imaging and smart farming systems. She actively collaborates with industry and global research institutions. Grants/Projects: 12 funded initiatives including AI for extreme environment healthcare, malaria pathogen detection, and big data-driven population health. Awards: Senior IEEE/Australian Computer Society membership, editorial roles in IEEE/Elsevier journals. Labs/Teams: Leads a multidisciplinary research group focused on medical AI and multimodal systems.
Enzo Mastinu is an electronic engineer specialized in embedded systems for biomedical applications, holding an Associate Professor qualification in Bioengineering. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in electronic engineering from the University of Cagliari and a PhD in biomedical signals and systems from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden. His research focuses on advanced prosthetics and neuroprostheses for upper limb amputations, incorporating embedded systems design, control algorithms, sensory feedback, signal processing, AI, and osseointegration. Key projects include the HAND and HAND2 initiatives, funded by the EU and the Italian Ministry of Research, aiming to develop semi-autonomous prosthetic hands. He has published 25 journal articles (75% in Q1) and 21 conference papers, contributing to a PCT patent. Mastinu is a Senior Member of IEEE EMBS and RAS, reviews for ~90 journals/conferences, and edits Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics (IEEE) and Scientific Data (Nature). He has supervised ~40 students across PhD, master's, internships, and postdocs, and teaches courses in biomedical engineering and STEM education. His scientific awards include the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship (2021), National Qualification as Associate Professor (2024), and a Young Researcher Grant (2025). Research emphasizes clinical implementation of prosthetics with neural feedback and intuitive control, as highlighted in high-impact journals like the New England Journal of Medicine.
Prof. Dr. Katrijn KLINGELS is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences , Hasselt University , Belgium. Her work centers on Motivational Control , Developmental Neuroscience , and Pediatric Rehabilitation , with a focus on neurodevelopmental disorders like Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Coordination Disorder . Supervision of 11 ongoing doctorates, including studies on balance control heterogeneity , intensive balance training , and somatosensory deficits in children with motor disorders. Leadership roles in the OMT Bachelor ReKi program and the Examination Board for Rehabilitation Sciences. Her research integrates brain imaging , neuromechanics , and functional assessments to understand motor impairments and design targeted therapies. Current projects include CO-OP interventions for autism , ICP-Move implementation for intellectual disabilities, and muscle fatigue studies in cerebral palsy. She teaches courses like Evidence-Based Clinical Reasoning and Advanced Pediatric Rehabilitation .
Carlos Cifuentes is an Associate Professor in Human-Robot Interaction at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL) , part of the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) . He also serves as the Deputy Director of the VIVO Hub , a £13.4M UK-funded research initiative (2024-2030) focused on robotics for rehabilitation and healthcare. His research spans Human-Robot Interaction , Rehabilitation Robotics , Healthcare Robotics , and Socially Assistive Robotics , with applications for conditions such as cardiac diseases , post-stroke recovery , spinal cord injuries , cerebral palsy , Parkinson's disease , musculoskeletal disorders , and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) . Carlos has over 15 years of experience and 200+ publications in robotics for rehabilitation and assistive technologies. His recent work explores smart walkers with multimodal feedback, soft prosthetics using polymeric optical fiber sensors , and machine learning models for fatigue and stress estimation. He also investigates inclusive design for social robots in global contexts , including a CASTOR Robot for ASD therapy and collaborative design processes with Colombian communities. Carlos serves as an Associate Editor for IEEE Robotics and Automation Magazine (since 2021), ICRA , and IROS (since 2023). He leads projects integrating wearable sensors , deep learning , and haptic feedback to enhance mobility, autonomy, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. As Deputy Director of the VIVO Hub, he focuses on long-term deployment of robotic systems in real-world healthcare settings, emphasizing collaboration with clinicians , caregivers , and neurodiverse communities . His work bridges robotics , biomedical engineering , and human-centered design .
Qiushi Fu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Central Florida, focusing on neuromuscular control, human-robot interaction, and biomechanics. His work leverages assistive and rehabilitation technologies to improve motor function and performance. Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering – Arizona State University M.S. in Mechanical Engineering – State University of New York at Buffalo B.S. in Automation – Tsinghua University Research interests include sensorimotor learning, bioinspired robotics, and rehabilitation prosthetics, integrating neuroscience, robotics, and machine learning. His recent publications emphasize adaptive control in dexterous manipulation, haptic communication, and wearable rehabilitation devices. Fu leads a multidisciplinary lab advancing human movement through technology, with applications in stroke recovery and prosthetic design. His work demonstrates trends in machine learning integration for neural decoding, bioinspired exoskeletons, and collaborative human-robot systems. Though no specific awards are listed, his research has been published in high-impact journals like Frontiers in Neurorobotics and Journal of Neuroscience .
Dr. Tom E. Nightingale is a Lecturer in Exercise Physiology at the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK. He holds a PhD from the University of Bath and has held postdoctoral positions at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of British Columbia. His research focuses on improving health outcomes in individuals with neurological conditions, particularly spinal cord injury, through exercise and neuromodulation. Education: PhD in Exercise Physiology, University of Bath, UK (2016) BSc in Sport and Exercise Science, University of Bath, UK (2010) Dr. Nightingale's research lies at the intersection of exercise physiology and neurorehabilitation. He investigates how therapeutic interventions like neuromodulation and structured exercise can mitigate cardiometabolic and cerebrovascular risks in individuals with spinal cord injury. His work emphasizes autonomic regulation, cerebrovascular health, and the use of neuroprosthetics to enhance exercise capacity. He has published extensively on wearable technologies, clinical trial protocols, and consensus guidelines for SCI research. His recent publications highlight trends in transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation, autonomic dysreflexia prevention, and the integration of wearable devices in monitoring health outcomes. These works reflect a strong focus on translating physiological research into clinical rehabilitation strategies. Scientific Awards: Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health Innovation Fund Postdoctoral Trainee Award Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research/ICORD Trainee Award Poster Presentation Winner, 4th International Conference on Ambulatory Monitoring Shortlisted for Ede & Ravenscroft Prize Dr. Nightingale supervises PhD and Master’s students on topics related to SCI and exercise physiology. He has received research support from the Wellcome Trust and the International Spinal Research Trust. He is actively involved in editorial boards for Spinal Cord and Spinal Cord Series and Cases , and serves on the National Rehabilitation Centre Research Board. He maintains ongoing collaborations with ICORD in Vancouver and is involved in multi-center clinical trials such as E-STAND. Labs and Teams: He collaborates with the International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) and contributes to research at the Centre for Human Brain Health at the University of Birmingham. His work often involves interdisciplinary teams focusing on spinal cord injury, neuromodulation, and rehabilitation science.
Dr Hannah Gullo is a Senior Research Fellow at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences , The University of Queensland . With a focus on neurorehabilitation, her work spans traumatic brain injury, stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and neurodevelopmental conditions. Masters (Coursework) of Occupational Therapy Studies, The University of Queensland Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland Her research interests include: Cognitive assessment and intervention - exploring relationships between cognitive impairment, depression, and fatigue Technology-enhanced therapy - leveraging smartphones, smartwatches, and tele-rehabilitation Recent publications highlight her work in CO-OP approaches for Parkinson's , technology-enabled rehabilitation , and technology accessibility for vision impairment . Awards include NHMRC MRFF PPHR grants and Advance Queensland Women's Academic Fund support. She supervises PhD projects on: Smart technology for cognitive rehabilitation Remote occupational therapy delivery Metacognitive strategies in neurorehabilitation Current funding (2024-2027) focuses on co-creating virtual environments for brain injury recovery. She leads feasibility trials and validation studies in cognitive assessment tools.
Jan Frich is a Professor at the Department of Health Management and Health Economics, University of Oslo, with concurrent appointments as Professor II (2019-present) and previous Professor I (2011-2018) positions. He served as Visiting Professor at Yale University (2013-2014) and currently serves as Editor of Michael (since 2023) and Associate Editor of BMJ Leader (since 2018). His academic interests span healthcare management, medical leadership, neurology, and global health. Specialist in Neurology (2008), University of Oslo dr.med. and Cand.med. (2008 and 1996), University of Oslo Master in Health Administration (2008) and Master of Science (2001) from Brunel University London Executive education at Harvard University (2019), SEI/INSEAD (2019), NHH Executive Board Program (2022), and NHH Board Program (2024) His research focuses on healthcare leadership development, prioritization criteria in clinical settings, and neurological disorders like Huntington's disease and myotonic dystrophy type 1. Recent publications examine rehabilitation technologies, healthcare cost forecasting, and leadership competency models. He contributes to healthcare policy discussions through editorships and has led projects on primary healthcare team evaluations, sepsis management improvements, and leadership development during the COVID-19 pandemic. His work appears in leading journals like BMC Medicine, BMJ Leader, and Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary applications.
Dr. Andrea Bauer is an Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School and an Orthopedic Surgeon at Boston Children's Hospital, where she serves as Director of the Brachial Plexus Program and Director of Faculty Development. She also serves as Co-School Physician at Berklee. Dr. Bauer is a specialist in pediatric hand, upper extremity, and peripheral nerve surgery, with a particular focus on brachial plexus birth injury, congenital hand differences, and peripheral nerve injuries. Dr. Bauer completed her undergraduate education at Princeton University (2001), medical school at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (2005), orthopedic surgery residency at Harvard Combined Orthopedic Residency Program (2010), hand surgery fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital (2011), and pediatric hand surgery fellowship at Shriners Hospital for Children in Sacramento, CA (2011). Dr. Bauer's research primarily focuses on improving outcomes for children with brachial plexus birth injuries through early diagnosis and intervention. She has extensive expertise in congenital hand differences and peripheral nerve injuries in children. Her work bridges clinical practice and research to advance pediatric orthopedic care, particularly in complex nerve injuries and congenital conditions. She has been instrumental in developing protocols for diagnosing and treating brachial plexus injuries in infants, with an emphasis on improving functional outcomes. Analysis of Dr. Bauer's recent publications reveals a strong focus on brachial plexus birth injuries, congenital hand differences, and pediatric orthopedic conditions. Her work spans diagnostic techniques (particularly MRI), surgical interventions, and outcomes research. She has made significant contributions to understanding the relationship between perinatal factors and injury severity, developing return-to-play protocols for young athletes, and improving diagnostic accuracy for nerve injuries. Her research often involves multi-center collaborations and registry-based studies, reflecting her commitment to evidence-based practice in pediatric orthopedics. Dr. Bauer received the competitive Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society Traveling Fellowship in 2014, which she used to visit three centers specializing in brachial plexus birth injury treatment. This fellowship allowed her to bring innovative techniques and approaches back to Boston Children's Hospital, continuing the institution's legacy of advancing care for children with brachial plexus injuries. As Director of the Brachial Plexus Program at Boston Children's Hospital, Dr. Bauer oversees a comprehensive program dedicated to the care of children with brachial plexus injuries. The program includes multidisciplinary teams of surgeons, therapists, and researchers working together to provide optimal care from diagnosis through rehabilitation. Dr. Bauer also serves as Director of Faculty Development, playing a key role in mentoring junior faculty and shaping the educational mission of the department. Her clinical work spans multiple locations including Boston, Lexington, and Waltham, ensuring broad access to specialized pediatric orthopedic care.
Dr. John Zettel is an Associate Professor at the University of Guelph, specializing in biomechanics and motor control of human movement. His research focuses on postural control, balance recovery, and the integration of voluntary movements with rapid compensatory stepping reactions, particularly in aging populations and clinical groups such as stroke survivors. Education : B.Sc. in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo; M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. His work examines how attention, visual feedback, and vestibular input modulate balance recovery strategies, with applications to fall prevention and mobility enhancement in older adults. Recent studies include vibrotactile feedback systems for sensory substitution and dual-task paradigms for assessing age-related declines in dynamic stability. Dr. Zettel's research is funded through grants focused on clinical rehabilitation and aging populations. He supervises graduate students, including MSc candidates like Cassidy, and teaches courses in biomechanics and biophysics at the Guelph-Humber campus.
Josep M. Font-Llagunes is a Full Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), where he leads the Biomechanical Engineering Lab (BIOMEC) within the Research Centre for Biomedical Engineering (CREB). His work bridges engineering and clinical rehabilitation, focusing on robotics, biomechanics, and computational modeling for human movement disorders. His research interests include rehabilitation robotics, biomechanics of human movement, multibody system dynamics, gait analysis, wearable exoskeletons, and neuromuscular rehabilitation. He employs advanced computational techniques to model human motion and optimize assistive devices, with a strong emphasis on clinical translation. The trends in his recent publications highlight a focus on predictive simulation of human movement, clinical evaluation of exoskeletons, musculoskeletal modeling, and upper limb assessment in neuromuscular diseases. His work integrates biomechanical modeling with wearable sensor technology and virtual reality to enhance rehabilitation outcomes. Agustín de Betancourt y Molina Medal by the Royal Academy of Engineering (2017) OpenSim Outstanding Researcher Award (2018) He actively mentors students and collaborates on numerous research projects involving PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers. His lab conducts clinical trials and develops novel computational protocols for prosthetic alignment, exoskeleton control, and muscle force estimation. The Biomechanical Engineering Lab (BIOMEC) at UPC is a key hub for innovation in rehabilitation technology, focusing on personalized, evidence-based solutions for gait and upper limb rehabilitation.
Katherine Saul is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at North Carolina State University's College of Engineering, where she also serves as Director of Graduate Programs. Her research focuses on dynamics and neural control of the musculoskeletal system, upper limb biomechanics, orthopaedic rehabilitation, computational simulation of movement, and musculoskeletal imaging. Dr. Saul directs the Movement Biomechanics Lab (MoBL), which investigates musculoskeletal structure-function relationships in the upper limb through integrated approaches combining MR imaging, strength assessments, functional testing, and computational simulations. The lab characterizes neuromuscular control mechanisms in both healthy populations and those with impairments such as brachial plexus injuries and cerebral palsy. Her recent publications (2023-2025) reveal consistent focus on upper limb biomechanics across diverse conditions including birth brachial plexus injuries, transtibial amputation, and hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Key methodological themes include computational modeling of musculoskeletal systems, analysis of motor unit properties, and development of rehabilitation frameworks that bridge engineering principles with clinical applications. Scientific awards were not explicitly mentioned in the source material. As Director of Graduate Programs, Dr. Saul oversees MAE's graduate curriculum and mentorship while leading externally funded research. Her active grants portfolio includes projects on brachial plexus birth injury mechanisms, neural interfaces for rehabilitation, military injury evaluation frameworks, rotator cuff repair analysis, MRI segmentation for clinical applications, and exoskeleton control for post-stroke rehabilitation. The Movement Biomechanics Lab (MoBL) serves as the primary research vehicle, employing interdisciplinary teams to translate engineering principles into clinical orthopaedic solutions through advanced imaging and simulation techniques focused on upper limb function.
Andre Nyberg is a Professor at the Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Section of Physiotherapy, Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine. He serves as Group leader of Umeå Translational Respiratory EXercise group (U-TREX), a multidisciplinary research group dedicated to patient-centered research for individuals with respiratory diseases. His educational background includes: Associate Professor, Physiotherapy (2019) Ph.D. in Physiotherapy, Umeå University (2014) Master's degree in sports medicine, Umeå University (2013) Master's degree in physiotherapy, Umeå University (2013) Bachelor's degree in sports medicine, Umeå University (2011) Bachelor's degree in physiotherapy, Umeå University (2009) Bachelor's degree in health sciences, Umeå University (2007) Dr. Nyberg's primary research focuses on developing new strategies for the assessment and management of extrapulmonary manifestations among people with COPD. His work examines the effects and explanatory mechanisms of different forms of physical exercise on extrapulmonary manifestations such as impaired muscle, cardiovascular, and cognitive function. He investigates the reliability, validity, and feasibility of different strategies for assessing thigh muscle function in COPD and develops new treatment strategies optimizing physical exercise in COPD through both in-vivo and in-vitro experiments using quantitative and qualitative research methods. His recent publications (2023-2024) demonstrate a strong emphasis on high-intensity interval training for COPD patients, muscle function assessment, and digital health interventions. The research spans from physiological mechanisms to clinical implementation and patient-centered outcomes, reflecting a comprehensive translational approach that bridges laboratory findings with practical clinical applications. Scientific awards and recognitions: Erik K Fernströms Pris for young promising researchers (2023) European Research Council Starting Grant (2022) Heart and Lung Foundations Mentor Program for promising young scientists (2022) Prince Daniel's Research Grant for Promising Young Researchers (2021) Best Abstract at CR-IUCPQ, Quebec, Canada (2020) Best Poster presentation at Nordic Lung Congress (2017) Best abstract in COPD at European Respiratory Society, Munich (2014) Dr. Nyberg serves as a supervisor for bachelor's and master's level projects and has been teaching undergraduate and master's training for physiotherapists and occupational therapists since 2011. He became a Senior Lecturer in 2016 and was recognized as a distinguished university teacher in 2021. He is responsible for the course 'Physiotherapy - clinical evaluation and measurement methodology' and delivers lectures at Master and Research levels. He leads multiple research projects including 'Countering stigma in self-management in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease' (2024-2026) and 'COPD-HIIT' (2021-2028), and serves in various leadership roles including Chair of the European Respiratory Society - Physiotherapy Subgroup (2024-2027).
Dr. Alejandro Melendez-Calderon is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland (UQ), holding dual affiliations with the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (primary appointment) and the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. He also serves as a Principal Research Fellow at the Jamieson Trauma Institute, leading the Rehabilitation and Outcomes theme. With over 19 years of interdisciplinary experience in robotics, biomedical engineering, and clinical research, his work focuses on human augmentation technologies, neuromuscular control, and neurorehabilitation engineering. He earned his PhD in Robotics and Biomedical Engineering from Imperial College London (2011) and has held roles at institutions such as Northwestern University, ETH Zurich, and industry leader Hocoma AG. His lab, the NeuroEngineering, Rehabilitation and Medical Robotics Lab at UQ, develops innovative solutions for movement disorders, wearable robotics, and sensorimotor rehabilitation. Research interests include human-robot interaction strategies, computational modeling of motor control deficits, and clinical translation of assistive technologies. His recent work emphasizes adaptive robotic systems for gait training, competition-driven physical effort modulation, and sensor-based assessments for stroke and spinal cord injury populations. Publications highlight contributions to movement smoothness metrics, robotic exoskeleton control algorithms, and interdisciplinary frameworks for sensorimotor evaluation. Collaborations span academic, clinical, and industrial partners to bridge engineering innovation with clinical needs.
Pamela Roberts is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California (USC) Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. She holds a PhD in Health Sciences from Touro University International, an MS in Health Administration from California State University, Northridge (1994), and a BS in Occupational Therapy from Washington University School of Medicine (1982). Her research focuses on neurological rehabilitation, stroke recovery, and healthcare services research. Notable contributions include studies on electronic health record (EHR) data utilization, functional outcomes in acquired brain injuries, and brain imaging biomarkers for stroke recovery. She has collaborated with the ENIGMA Stroke Recovery Working Group on neuroimaging and big data projects. Roberts is a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA) and the National Academies of Practice (FNAP), and holds certifications in healthcare quality (CPHQ). Her work emphasizes improving patient care transitions, optimizing rehabilitation protocols, and understanding the role of subcortical structures in post-stroke sensorimotor function. She has authored or co-authored over 25 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, addressing topics such as motor learning, inpatient rehabilitation outcomes, and discharge planning strategies. Education: PhD in Health Sciences, Touro University International (2007) MS in Health Administration, CSU Northridge (1994) BS in Occupational Therapy, Washington University (1982) Key Awards: Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA) Fellow of the National Academies of Practice (FNAP) Roberts has contributed to initiatives on value-based healthcare, stroke rehabilitation metrics, and reducing hospital readmissions. Her research bridges clinical practice, neuroimaging, and health policy to enhance patient-centered care outcomes.
