Rachel V. Vitali
Prior to joining the University of Iowa, Dr. Vitali was a TRISH postdoctoral fellow in the Industrial and Operations Engineering Department at the University of Michigan. Her research interests include advancing wearable sensor technologies to evaluate human performance, health, and behavior as well as applications for robotics and human-robotic interactions.
University of Michigan
- Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering (2019)
Engineering Education Research Certificate
- M.S.E. Mechanical Engineering (2017)
- B.S.E. Mechanical Engineering (2015)
Minor: Electrical Engineering
Graduate Students
Martell Bell
Research Interests: Engineering Education, Computer vision systems, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, process improvement, robotics
Degree in Progress: PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Co-Advisor: Phillip Deierling
Bio: I'm originally from Robbins, Illinois, a south suburb of Chicago. I'm passionate about creating opportunities for my community and being an example to those that that wish to blaze their own trails. I'm a foodaholic, avid swimmer, certified scuba diver and love to try anything new and different.
Sam Murphy
Research Interests: wearable sensors, activity classification, gait analysis
Degree in Progress: PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Bio: I am a graduate student at the University of Iowa pursuing a Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering. I graduated from the University of Iowa in Fall 2020 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics minor. My research has been focused on activity classification using inertial measurement units.
Juliana Danesi Ruiz
Research Interests: robotics, computer vision, artificial intelligence, dynamics
Degree in Progress: PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Co-Advisor: Casey Harwood
Bio: I am a graduate student pursuing a Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Iowa. I graduated in Fall 2020 at the University of Iowa with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, with a Computer Science and a Mathematics minor. My research has been focused on Computer Vision, Robotics and Engineering Education.
Extra links:
Website Google Scholar Research Gate
Undergraduate Students
Hillary Cox
Research Interests: wearable sensors, field hockey biomechanics
Degrees: BS in Mechanical Engineering, Certificate of Critical Cultural Competence
Bio: Hillary is a student-athlete who is interested in connecting her interests in field hockey with sports biomechanics research. She hopes to increase awareness of and understanding about the sport of field hockey through her research.
Skylar Halley
Research Interests: robotics, dynamics, control theory
Degrees: BS in Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Modeling, and Simulation Certificate
Bio: I am a Senior studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Iowa. I plan to pursue graduate school following my completion of my degree. I am interested in using my engineering education to start a business after grad school. I am currently constructing a Stewart Platform and am interested in research related to robotics and control theory.
Former Lab Members
Ian Silva
Research Interests: wearable sensors, biofeedback, prostheses
Degrees: BS in Mechanical Engineering, BS in Electrical Engineering, 2023
Bio: Ian researched how postures affect the health of medical professionals by looking at muscle activation in the upper back and neck. Our hope is that it will aid in developing a biofeedback product that helps extend the longevity of medical professionals.
Demir Tuken
Research Interests: wearable sensors
Degrees: BS in Biomedical Engineering, 2023, MS in Biomedical Engineering, 2024
Bio: Demir studied biomedical engineering in the University of Iowa with aspirations to enter the medical field. His interests included occupational ergonomics, human body vibrations, and biomechanics.