Hsiao-Wecksler named HCESC interim director

MechSE professor Elizabeth Hsiao-Wecksler has been announced as the interim director of the Health Care Engineering Systems Center (HCESC) in The Grainger College of Engineering. 

Dean Rashid Bashir announced this new appointment in an email to faculty and staff. He said the national/international search for the next HCESC director will be launched soon and will likely extend through the summer.

Hsiao-Wecksler is a Willett Faculty Scholar and Professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering (MechSE).  She served as Associate Head for Undergraduate Programs for four years and holds multiple affiliations with ISE, BIOE, Beckman Institute, CI MED, and ZJUI. In addition, Liz directs the Human Dynamics and Controls Laboratory (HDCL) in the MechSE department where they apply principles from soft and hard robotics, wearables, musculoskeletal biomechanics, and movement analysis. The goal of this lab is to investigate and improve the quality of life of individuals with disabilities through the development of user-centered assistive technologies and healthcare education simulation trainers. Her work closely aligns with the HCESC and she has been an active faculty member of this prestigious center, including being a member of the HCESC steering committee.

"With this experience, together with our partners at OSF Healthcare and the JUMP ARCHES, I am confident in her ability to step up as interim director and provide leadership for HCESC during the coming year," Bashir said in his message. "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Professor Kesh Kesavadas for his service as HCESC director over the past seven years, and for his many contributions to ISE, GCOE, and the campus. Under his leadership, the HCESC and the JUMP ARCHES partnership with OSF doubled and has made significant impact at the interface of healthcare and technology. I am confident that the HCESC will continue its legacy of innovation and remain at the forefront of the technologies helping us face challenges in healthcare in our ever-changing world. He is going to be deeply missed, and we wish him all the best on his next journey.

"Please join me in congratulating and supporting Liz as she assumes this new role and thanking Kesh for his leadership and service to the HCESC and the college."