News Archives - Steele Lab - University of Washington

National Biomechanics Day 2024

Katie Landwehr News, Outreach April 12, 2024Adaptive Switch, assistive technology, Biomechanics, DIY Assistive Technology, Electromyography

Last week the Steele Lab celebrated National Biomechanics Day (NBD) on April 3, 2024 at the VA Puget Sound. Mia Hoffman, Sasha Portnova, and Katie Landwehr, alongside fellow Biomechanics researchers with the Ingraham Lab, and Center for Limb Loss and MoBility (CLiMB) hosted over 75 students from a local high school.

A group of five people posing for a photo

NBD is a world-wide celebration of Biomechanics in its many forms for high school students and teachers. Steele Lab PhD student Mia Hoffman, and Ingraham Lab PhD student Annika Pfister were recently awarded a $1000 grant from the American Society of Biomechanics and National Biomechanics Day to host an outreach event for high school students focused on disability biomechanics.

Mia and Katie hosted a station on “Switch-Adapted Toys & Accessible Design”

Two women (Mia and Katie) standing in front of a wall with pictures and holding adaptive toys and DIY switches.

A group of people standing around a table of DIY switches and switch adapted toys

Sasha, Annika, and Zijie hosted a station on “Myodino: Activate your Muscles”

A group of people holding a sign that says "MyoDino Scoreboard"

A group of people standing around a table with computers. One person is wearing an EMG sensor on their forearm

Winter Quarter Recap 2024

Katie Landwehr News, Outreach April 5, 2024April 8, 2024

Here’s a look at what some of our lab member have been up to this quarter – in the lab, around campus, and out in the community!

January:

Steele lab members, Mia, Kate, Alisha, and Katie volunteered at a UW GoBabyGo (GBG) Build Workshop. GBG is a community-based outreach program that works with families, clinicians and industry partners to provide pediatric mobility equipment to children with disabilities. The primary mission of GBG is to provide modified ride-on cars to these children to use as a powered mobility device for fun, function, and exploration.

A group of people posing for a photo with their finished Go Baby Go Car

A group of people building their Go Baby Go Car

February:

Lab members, Kate, Mia, and Megan volunteered at the Special Olympics Regional Alpine & Snowboarding Competition at the Summit at Snoqualmie.

Kate, Mia, and Megan standing together and bundled up in warm winter clothes.

Also in February:

Mackenzie standing at a podium in front of a group of students in a lecture hall

As part of her duties as a TA this quarter, Mackenzie Pitts gave a Dynamics (ME230) lecture to a 200-person class. She crushed it.

March:

Mia Hoffman presented a poster on “Quantitative methods are more accurate than caregiver-reported measures for tracking a child’s mobility device use” at the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Association Poster Competition.

Mia has blonde hair and is wearing a polka dot blouse with a green skirt. She is standing next to her poster on "Quantitative methods are more accurate than caregiver-reported measures for tracking a child's mobility device use."

Also in March:

The iconic UW Cherry Blossoms graced us with their presence. Photos captured by local photographer and lab member, Megan Ebers.

A brick path with cherry blossom trees, grass, and benches

Dr. Alyssa Spomer on “Gears of Progress” Podcast

Katie Landwehr Media, News April 3, 2024April 8, 2024Biofeedback, Cerebral Palsy, Exoskeleton, Gait, Gillette

“Gears of Progress” Episode Seven featured Steele Lab Alumni, Dr. Alyssa Spomer on biofeedback tech to improve motor control ankle exoskeletons, and work as a clinical scientist at Gillette Children’s Hospital.

Name: Gears of Progress

Platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox

Release frequency: bi-weekly on Fridays

Theme: Podcast about research and innovations in rehabilitation engineering and assistive technologies aimed to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. Every episode will feature engineers, medical professionals, end-users, and organizations who focus on improving the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities. We will be covering topics such as emerging tech, outcome measures, medical practice, public policy, accessibility education, and so much more!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GearsOfProgress

Dr. Kim Ingraham on “Gears of Progress” Podcast

Katie Landwehr Media, News March 27, 2024April 8, 2024Exoskeleton, mobility, powered mobility

“Gears of Progress” Episode Five featured Steele Lab Alumni, Dr. Kim Ingraham on personalized controllers for lower-limb assistive robotics, powered mobility devices for kids, and a path to a faculty position.