Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech is one of the nation’s top research universities, distinguished by its commitment to improving the human condition through advanced science and technology. The Institute is located in midtown Atlanta, where over 20,000 students receive a focused, technologically based education. It consistently ranks among U.S. News & World Report’s top ten public universities in the U.S., and ranks 4th among engineering graduate schools.
Rehabilitation Engineering and Applied Research (REAR) Lab
The REAR Lab undertakes applied research and development targeting the increased health and function of persons with disabilities. Specific areas of interest include: wheeled mobility and seating, pressure ulcer prevention and treatment; design of diagnostic tissue interrogation devices; and design of assistive technologies. The Mobility RERC operates as a part of the REAR Lab and the Principal Investigator of the Mobility RERC director, Dr. Stephen Sprigle, is also the director of the REAR Lab.
GT Bionics Laboratory
The GT Bionics Laboratory is located in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Its director, Dr. Maysam Ghovanloo has developed the Proportional Tongue Drive System for Wheelchairs/Computers. This type of assistive technology Assistive helps severely disabled persons communicate their intentions and effectively control their environment, especially to operate a computer, can greatly improve the quality of life for this group of people and may even help them to be employed.
GT Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory
Directed by Dr. Minoru Shinohara, the Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory is part of the Department of Applied Physiology at Georgia Tech. This lab monitors the neuromuscular functions of healthy, older adults, in order to understand the physiological mechanisms in healthy people so that they may be applied to the clinical population.
Georgia State University’s Division of Physical Therapy
Georgia State University’s Division of Physical Therapy is located in downtown Atlanta, two miles from the Georgia Tech campus. The program is dedicated to rehabilitation and prevention of disability specifically related to movement and function of the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary and integumentary systems. The program has 7500 sq feet in three research/clinical laboratories. The Biomechanics and Wheelchair Locomotion Research Laboratory is equipped with both 2-D and 3-D motion analysis systems (Qualisys System, MaxTraq System and DartFish software), two 240-Hz optical cameras, four 60-Hz digital video cameras, an eight-channel BioPac EMG system, a Bertec force plate, in-shoe Pedar plantar measurement, and a hand rim force measurement system. The Muscle Physiology Research Laboratory is equipped with Kin Com Isokinetic, Muscle Biopsy, and multi-channel EMG systems. The Clinical and Physical Therapy Laboratory is equipped with rehabilitation and PT exercise devices that will be used for training in MRERC projects.
Duke University’s Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development
Duke University’s Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development is the longest continuously funded Geriatric Center in the country, and acts as an umbrella to coordinate research, education, and clinical services both at Duke and the Durham VA. US News and World Report have ranked the Geriatrics Program among the top five in the nation. The Center on Aging has over 100 researchers who conduct a wide range of projects in geriatrics and gerontology, including the Claude C. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center. Affiliated with the Duke Center on Aging is the Durham VA Medical Center (VAMC). The Durham VA is a tertiary care hospital located immediately across the street from the Duke Medical Center. The hospital has a long track record of excellence in Geriatrics and has an Extended Care and Rehabilitation Center. The Medical Center also houses a Health Services R&D Center and the VA Rehabilitation Services Research Unit. Rehabilitation research at the Durham VAMC has approximately 400 square feet of dedicated laboratory space directly adjacent to the PT/OT therapy clinics.
Shepherd Center
Shepherd Center, founded in 1975, is a private not-for-profit Catastrophic Care Hospital located 2 miles from Georgia Tech’s campus. It is a 120-bed facility with specialty focus on the treatment of spinal cord injuries, acquired brain injuries, MS, and other neurological conditions. Shepherd Center is accredited by both JCAHO and CARF, and has been designated as a Model SCI System of Care by NIDRR continuously since 1982.The Assistive Technology facility houses the Seating and Mobility Clinic, which provides both inpatient and outpatient services and research space that, will be used for several projects in the Mobility RERC. In addition to the hospital, Shepherd Center owns and operates accessible apartments to provide transitional living and respite care services to SCI Day Program and family members. This has recently been expanded via construction of an 87,000 square-foot Family Residence Center with 84 accessible suites.
