Mira Mutnick

After having two research experiences, one in bioinformatics and one in neuroengineering, I joined the Rehabilitation Engineering and Applied Research Lab at Georgia Tech. I became interested in rehabilitation engineering through my lived experience with disability. During my second research experience, I recognized the underrepresentation of disabled people as researchers and engineers. Using my passion for math and science and my experience with a disability, I want to be a bridge between what engineers are building and what disabled people need and want. I currently work on the mechanical testing of wheelchair cushions with the driving objective of reducing wheelchair users’ propensity to pressure ulcers. We load different cushions under various conditions to analyze the internal and surface pressure at different locations on the buttock model as well as the deformation of the buttock model.