In 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.

Dr. 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 works on developing industry standards for inclusive fitness centers and other recreational equipment.

In 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 also delves into the experiences and career paths of the hosts after the podcast.