Elizabeth T Hsiao-Wecksler

Elizabeth T Hsiao-Wecksler
Elizabeth T Hsiao-Wecksler
  • Professor
(217) 333-3415
2022 Sidney Lu Mech Engr Bldg

Primary Research Area

  • Neural Engineering

Research Areas

  • Biomechanics
  • System biomechanics (gait, rehabilitation, limb movement)

For More Information

Education

  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of California-Berkeley, 2000
  • M.S. Mech. Eng. Rochester Institute of Technology 1994
  • B.S. Mech. Eng. Cornell University 1987

Academic Positions

  • Grayce Wicall Gauthier Professor, Mechanical Science and Engineering, UIUC, February 2023 - present
  • Faculty Affiliate, Coordinated Sciences Laboratory, UIUC, February 2022 - present
  • Interim Director, Health Care Engineering Systems Center, UIUC, January 2022 - August 2023
  • Adjunct Professor, Zhejiang University – University of Illinois College of Engineering Joint Institute, Haining, China, 09/18-01/19
  • Faculty Affiliate, Co-Course Director, Clinical Neuroscience, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, 03/17 – present
  • Visiting Affiliate Faculty, Prosthetics & Orthotics Program, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, January 2017-May 2017
  • Associate Head for Undergraduate Programs, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, UIUC, August 16, 2015-August 15, 2019
  • Professor, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, UIUC, August 16, 2015-present
  • Faculty Affiliate, Beckman Institute, UIUC, February 2014-present
  • Faculty Affiliate, Neuroscience Program, UIUC, March 2011-present
  • Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, UIUC, August 16, 2009-August 16, 2015
  • Faculty Affiliate, Center on Health, Aging and Disability, UIUC, 2008-present
  • Faculty Affiliate, Department of Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering, UIUC, August 16, 2005-present
  • Faculty Affiliate, Bioengineering Department, UIUC, October 31, 2002-present
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, UIUC, July 21, 2002-August 15, 2009
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Boston University and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, April 2000-June 2002

Other Professional Employment

  • Research Assistant, University of California-San Francisco and San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, January 1995-March 2000
  • Xerox Corporation, Rochester, NY. Associate Engineer (7/87-4/88), Engineer (4/88-8/90), Senior Project Engineer (8/90-8/94)

Other Professional Activities

  • Co-Founder and Scientific Advisor, IntelliWheels, Inc., Champaign, IL, May 2010 – January 2018

Professional Societies

  • Fellow, American Society of Biomechanics - Past President, 2022-2023, President, 2021-2022, President Elect 2020-2021, Elected Annual Meeting Program Chair, 2010-2012, Woman in Science Committee, 2007-2009, New Member Committee, 2007
  • Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers - Design and Rehabilitation Committee of the Bioengineering Division, 2008-present, Conference Reviewer (2010, 2013)
  • Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • Member, IEEE
  • Member, Pi Tau Sigma
  • Member, World Association for Chinese Biomedical Engineers

Service on Campus Committees

  • Provost's Executive Committee for the Illinois Design Initiative, 2016-2018
  • Chancellor and Provost's Committee on LGBT Concerns, 2004-2005, 2012-2018

Research Interests

  • Locomotion biomechanics
  • Wearable devices and autonomous apparel for mitigating anxiety
  • Robotic medical education task trainers
  • Rolling mobility devices: wheelchairs (including ball-based wheelchairs)
  • Design and control of mechatronic devices in healthcare

Research Statement

I direct the Human Dynamics and Controls Laboratory (HDCL) in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering. Our research group uses methods from design, control theory, mechatronics, pneumatics and soft robotics, musculoskeletal biomechanics, and movement analysis. The HDCL focuses on investigating and improving movement control and function through two main areas: assistive device development and locomotion biomechanics. The HDCL’s interest in assistive device development stems from a desire to improve function and the quality of life of persons with disability.

Primary Research Area

  • Neural Engineering

Research Areas

  • Biomechanics
  • System biomechanics (gait, rehabilitation, limb movement)

Selected Articles in Journals

Articles in Conference Proceedings

Refereed Conference Papers and Presentations

  • Song, S.Y., Pei, Y., Hsiao-Wecksler, E.T. “Simple and Low-Cost Methods of Computing Joint Angles Using Inertial Measurement Units Without Magnetometers,” 44th American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, August 4-7, 2020.

Patents

  • Song, S.Y, Hsiao-Wecksler, E.T., Almeida de Souza Ramos, J.L, Xiao, C., Bleakney, A.W., Elliott, J.R., “Torso-dynamics Estimation System (TES) of a Seated User for Control of a Device or Avatar in Physical or Virtual Environments”, invention disclosure submitted August 4, 2023. U.S. Provisional Patent Application # 63/531,710, Filing date: August 9, 2023.
  • Hsiao-Wecksler, E. T., Pei, Y., Gim, K., Garag, P., Ripperger, E., and Zallek, C.M. “Training Simulator for Healthcare Training”, invention disclosures submitted February 25, 2021 and March 8, 2021. U.S. Non-provisional Patent Application #63/229,723, submitted August 5, 2021
  • Song, S.Y., Hsiao-Wecksler, E. T., and Zallek, C.M. “Method and apparatus for muscle tone and limb movement measurement and assessment”, invention disclosure submitted, June 27, 2019. U.S. Provisional Patent Application submitted January 17, 2020. U.S. Non-provisional Application No.: 17/147,654 filed on January 13, 2021
  • Bleakney, A.W., Elliott, J.R., Hsiao-Wecksler, E.T., Malik, P.B., McDonagh, D.C., Rausin, A.K., Norris, W.R., Almeida de Souza Ramos, J.L, Xiao, C., Chen, Y., Pei, Y., Song, S.Y, “A Low-Profile and High-load Ball-Balancing Rolling System”, Invention disclosure submitted, July 25, 2020. U.S. Non-provisional Patent Application No.: 63/074,126, submitted September 3, 2020
  • Hsiao-Wecksler, E.T. and S.C. Daigle, IntelliWheels: The Automatic Gear-Shifting System for Manually Propelled Wheelchairs, United States Patent (Pub. No.: US9707138 B2). Filing date: July 27, 2012. Publication date: July 18, 2017.
  • Hsiao-Wecksler, E.T., D. Farooq, C. Xiao, G. Krishnan, G. Singh, Y.L. Oo, Forearm and Wrist Support for Crutch Users. United States Patent (Pub. No.: US9662263 B2). Filing date: Oct 13, 2015. Publication date: May 30, 2017.
  • Hsiao-Wecksler, E.T., K.A. Shorter, V. Gervasi, D.L. Cook, R. Remmers, G.F. Kogler, and W.K. Durfee, "Portable active pneumatically powered ankle-foot orthosis," United States Patent (Pub. No.: US9480618 B2). Filing date: Mar 14, 2012. Publication date: Nov 1, 2016.
  • Liang, J., E.T. Hsiao-Wecksler, R.H. Ewoldt, and S.R. Tippett, “Passive Hydraulic Medical Training Simulator for Mimicking Joint Spasticity and Rigidity,” Invention disclosure submitted November 24, 2015. U.S. Provisional Patent Application #62/321,360 submitted April 12, 2016.
  • Hsiao-Wecksler, E.T., E. Loth, G. Kogler, K.A. Shorter, J.A. Thomas, and J.N. Gilmer, "Portable Active Pneumatically Powered Ankle-Foot Orthosis," United States Patent (Pub. No.: US 2011/0112447 A1).

Honors

  • Grayce Wicall Gauthier Professor (2023)
  • Presidential line (President-Elect, President, Past-President) (2020-2023)
  • Distinguished Engineering Educator Awardee - Society of Women Engineers (2018)
  • Fellow - American Society of Biomechanics (2018)
  • Fellow - ASME (2015)
  • Technical Program Chair for 2012 Annual Meeting (Program Chair-Elect, Program Chair) (2010-2012)

Teaching Honors

  • Engineering Council Award for Excellence in Advising (2008, 2009, 2015, 2016)
  • List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students (Fall 2005, Fall 2006, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Fall 2018, Spring 2020)

Research Honors

  • Dean's Award for Excellence in Research (2013)
  • Willett Faculty Scholar (2013)
  • Fellow (2004-2005)

Other Honors

  • “150 for 150” Top 150 accomplished women at the University of Illinois in celebration of its sequential 1867-2017 (2017)

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