Dr. Max Jordon (sitting with laptop computer), Dr. Erkan Kaplanoglu and mechatronics major Austin McDade demonstrate a pneumatically powered balance board. Photo by Angela Foster.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Research Institute is launching the Biomechatronics in Healthcare Initiative, a cross-campus research effort designed to organize and expand collaborative work in engineering, computer science and healthcare.
“UTC already has significant expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, rehabilitation, human performance and digital health,” said Interim Vice Chancellor for Research Mina Sartipi. “The Biomechatronics in Healthcare Initiative provides a framework for bringing those strengths together, supporting student researchers and expanding collaborative projects that can lead to advances in healthcare technology.
“With more than 40 healthcare-related projects completed over the past five years—including collaborations with Erlanger, Siskin and other regional healthcare partners—we already have strong momentum in this area. This initiative builds on that foundation and advances UTC’s strategic research priorities by fostering interdisciplinary innovation and creating new opportunities for external funding, industry collaboration and healthcare impact.”
The initiative brings together more than 10 faculty members from four colleges, making it one of UTC’s most multidisciplinary research efforts. Led by Dr. Erkan Kaplanoglu, Department Head and Professor of Engineering Management and Technology and Director of the Biomechatronic and Assistive Technology Lab, the initiative is designed to connect technical innovation with clinical and human-performance expertise to address emerging challenges in healthcare.
UTC is making an initial institutional investment of about $130,000 to support the initiative’s startup efforts.
“Since joining UTC, I have worked closely with the healthcare field as an engineering faculty member,” Kaplanoglu said. “We are developing devices such as prosthetics and orthoses while also exploring opportunities to apply artificial intelligence in healthcare. This initiative gives us a chance to work more closely with local hospitals and respond to needs we see in the community.”
Departments and faculty members include:
- Engineering Management and Technology: Dr. Erkan Kaplanoglu
- Electrical Engineering: Dr. JW Bruce
- Computer Science and Engineering: Dr. Yu Liang
- Mechanical Engineering: Dr. Ron Goulet
- Physical Therapy: Dr. Nancy Fell, Dr. David Levine, Dr. Max Jordon, Dr. Ashley Schilling, Dr. Frank Tudini
- Athletic Training: Dr. Jenny Hogg, Dr. Lynette Carlson
- Nursing: Dr. Brooke Epperson
- Data Analytics: Dr. Monireh Rahmati
The mix of disciplines is central to the initiative’s purpose. The goal is to connect technical development with clinical, operational and human-performance perspectives so that research teams can address healthcare challenges ranging from AI and digital healthcare systems to wearable robotics and rehabilitation technologies to clinical integration and human performance.
“If students are looking for a research group in this area, they want to see this type of structure in place,” Kaplanoglu said. “This initiative can help create that path for master’s and doctoral students and make it easier to bring more students into the work.”
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