{"97471":{"#nid":"97471","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Assistive Technology Expert To Helm Georgia Tech Research Center","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EStephen Sprigle, former director of the Center for Rehabilitation Technology in New York, now is an associate professor of industrial design and director of the Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA) at the Georgia Institute of Technology.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECATEA, a unit within Georgia Tech\u0027s College of Architecture, develops and evaluates accessible environments and assistive technology -- devices designed to allow or improve performance of activities of daily living or work for the disabled. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022This is an excellent pairing for both the center and the college,\u0022 said Thomas Galloway, dean of Georgia Tech\u0027s College of Architecture. \u0022Dr. Sprigle\u0027s background in biomedical engineering and his experience addressing unique challenges affecting the disabled community will prove to be strong assets to CATEA and its research staff.\u0022\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to his duties as CATEA\u0027s director, Sprigle holds an adjunct appointment in Georgia Tech\u0027s School of Applied Physiology and will continue a collaborative research relationship with The Shepherd Center, an Atlanta-based catastrophic care hospital that treats people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and other neuromuscular illnesses and urological problems.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022The staff within CATEA appears dedicated to their mission, and that results in a lot of self-motivation to do a good job,\u0022 Sprigle said. \u0022Any director in any organization feels fortunate to be among self-driven folks, so I look forward to working at Tech.\u0022\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESince 1996, Sprigle has directed the Center for Rehabilitation Technology at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, NY. The center offers comprehensive services in assistive technology, especially in the areas of seating, mobility, computer access, augmented communications for the disabled and environmental controls. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDuring his term at the Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Sprigle held a faculty appointment as assistant professor of clinical physical therapy at Columbia University\u0027s College of Physicians and Surgeons. He also was a senior lecturer for the Graduate School of Health Sciences for the New York Medical College.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPreviously, Sprigle was a senior research scientist and adjunct professor of mechanical engineering and occupational therapy at the State University of New York at Buffalo between 1993 and 1996. He also was a member of the research staff for the Transportation and Wheelchair Rehabilitation Engineering Centers in the University of Virginia\u0027s Biomedical Engineering Department between 1987 and 1993.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESprigle remains an active consultant for a variety of biomedical engineering companies and frequently speaks on the topics of pressure ulcers and the engineering aspects of wheelchairs. Among his many research interests are rehabilitation engineering, assistive technology and biomechanics. He also has a special interest in the areas of pressure-ulcer prevention, posture stability among wheelchair users, assistive technology outcomes, and the development of standards for wheelchair cushions and support surfaces.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022For someone who has spent his career in both rehabilitation research and service delivery, CATEA\u0027s position and mission represent a fantastic opportunity for me,\u0022 Sprigle said. \u0022CATEA is quite unique in that it offers the scientific allure of being within an excellent university, but its mission includes significant interaction and service within the disability arena.\u0022\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESprigle also said he is impressed by CATEA\u0027s ability to extend the state-of-the-art through research as well as apply the state-of-the-art through its service programs.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022But this ability comes with the obligation to share this knowledge through publication and presentation,\u0022 he said. \u0022The center\u0027s faculty and staff infuse themselves with the community of the Institute and work well with other departments and faculty. This is imperative, since CATEA has a lot to offer others and gains a lot from collaboration.\u0022\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESprigle is a member of the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel\u0027s Board of Directors and of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America. He also is a member of the Biomedical Engineering Society and the American Physical Therapy Association.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESprigle earned his bachelor\u0027s degree in engineering science and mechanics from the University of Florida in 1982. He went on to earn a master\u0027s degree in biomedical engineering in 1985, followed by a Ph.D. in biomechanics in 1989, both from the University of Virginia. He earned an additional master\u0027s degree in 1998, this time in physical therapy from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY.\n\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"Stephen Sprigle, former director of the Center for Rehabilitation Technology in New York, is the new director of the Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA) at the Georgia Institute of Technology.","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":"","uid":"27304","created_gmt":"2002-09-27 00:00:00","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:02:15","author":"Matthew Nagel","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2002-09-26T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2002-09-26T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"97481":{"id":"97481","type":"image","title":"Tech Tower","body":null,"created":"1449178133","gmt_created":"2015-12-03 21:28:53","changed":"1475894709","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:45:09"}},"media_ids":["97481"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech Media Relations\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELaura Diamond\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:laura.diamond@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Elaura.diamond@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E404-894-6016\u003Cbr \/\u003EJason Maderer\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:maderer@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Emaderer@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E404-660-2926\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["matthew.nagel@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}