Hsiao-Wecksler awarded for excellence in research

The distinction, formerly the Xerox Award for Senior Faculty Research, is presented annually to four College of Engineering associate professors to acknowledge their outstanding research performed over the past five years.

Professor Hsiao-Wecksler, who was recently named a Willett Faculty Scholar, leads the Human Dynamic and Controls Laboratory. She is interested in applying dynamic systems modeling, control theory, and movement analysis to explore issues associated with musculoskeletal biomechanics. She specializes in locomotion biomechanics and assistive device development.

Hsiao-Wecksler's research group works to improve functional mobility and reduce the risk of falls. Working with faculty across the campus and MechSE professors Harry Dankowicz, Prashant Mehta, and Srinivasa Salapaka, her group developed numerous methods to improve the quantification of locomotion and postural control mechanics over the past five years. The methods were used to explore changes in movement or balance of older adults, Tai Chi practitioners, pregnant women, firefighters, manual wheelchair users, and dogs, among other populations.

Currently, Hsiao-Wecksler's research group is also working on developing a portable powered ankle-foot orthosis (exoskeleton) to improve gait assistance for patients with lower limb disabilities such as Parkinson's disease and stroke.

She also co-founded IntelliWheels, Inc., a start-up in Champaign producing novel multi-geared wheels for manual wheelchairs to improve propulsion biomechanics and decrease shoulder loading.

Hsiao-Wecksler received her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California-Berkeley in 2000 and was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Integrated Rehabilitation Engineering Program at Boston University and Harvard Medical School from 2000 to 2002. She joined the MechSE department as assistant professor in 2002. Hsiao-Wecksler was promoted to associate professor in 2009.