Lora Cavuoto, PhD, CPE

This laboratory is used for research activities in the area of physical ergonomics, safety and occupational biomechanics. Research in this lab involves the investigation of workplace injury mechanisms, human capacity, and physical performance along with the development and evaluation of ergonomic controls and interventions. In addition, students utilize the laboratory equipment to identify and assess the physical risks of work environments. This laboratory is equipped with a 3D motion capture system, a full body dynamometer system, EMG measurement equipment, a force platform, and data collection and analysis software.

Current Projects:

1. Reliability modeling of shoulder fatigue and recovery for warehouse operators performing dynamic tasks

2. Exploring the health and performance benefits of universal design implementation (part of the RERC on Physical Access and Transportation)

3. Improving post-stroke rehabilitation effectiveness and compliance using smart objects

4. Human activity recognition to support the development of wearable sensor-based worker safety systems

Recently Completed Projects:

1. Advancing Safety Surveillance using Individualized Sensor Technology (ASSIST)

2. Revised force-endurance models for the US workforce

3. The role of psychosocial factors in worksite wellness program participation

4. Evaluating the effect of obesity on central drive using near-infrared spectroscopy and the implications for physical work

Located on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, this lab provides a location to conduct the human factors experiments for healthcare improvement, with particular emphasis on surgical training and usability evaluations. The laboratory is configured with movable furniture which provides the ability to configure the space as needed to conduct the usability evaluation. Additionally, for use in data capture, the laboratory includes software packages that allow video recording and analysis of video screens at each station, and audio recording and playback from each station. Adjacent to the simulation centers, and part of the Medical School, this lab has space for engineering graduate students and faculty to develop solutions in concert with clinical staff.

Current Projects:

1. Brain-based metrics for surgical skill assessment and training

2. Building a better robot-assisted surgery operating room

3. Use of an augmented reality head-mounted display for laparoscopic surgery

Recently Completed Projects:

1. Advanced virtual simulation for fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery training and credentialing