2019 - Year in Review

January 28, 2020

As the UC Ergonomics Research Lab and Graduate Training Program begins new projects in 2020, and continues with some on-going ones, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on some of the great work that was accomplished in 2019.

RESEARCH

Contributing to excellent research in ergonomics has always been an important priority of our program. Overall, there are four areas of research in the lab:

Biomechanical exposures and risk of distal upper extremity MSDs

Dr. Harris continues her PhD and Post-Doc work on the relationship between biomechanical exposures and risk of distal upper extremity MSDs and related disability.
  • Her latest work focused on the merging of two large datasets from Italy and the US
  • She is collaborating with two groups to pool data related to the neck and shoulder
  • Students and colleagues from the MPH and PhD (EHS) programs continue to be involved in these analyses

Wearable technology as an exposure assessment device

Under the leadership of Dr. Harris, the UC Ergo Lab has multiple projects that focus on the development and assessment of wearable technology as an exposure assessment device and/or intervention for primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of musculoskeletal disorders.

Students, Yishu Yan, Hao Fan, and Yibin Li have participated in research that utilizes inertial measuring units and machine learning algorithms to predict occupational physical activity and quantify the magnitude and duration of biomechanical exposures.

Megcheng Wang has been working on using surface electromyography, inertial measuring units and machine learning algorithms to quantify hand posture and pinch/grip force while performing upper extremity tasks of varying exertion, frequency and duration.

Evaluations of tools, wearables, workstations and work methods

A third area of research that provides numerous research opportunities for students include laboratory-based evaluation projects that assess the effectiveness and usability of new tools, workstations, and/or work methods. Current examples include the evaluation of:
  • Colonoscopy stand for endoscopists (Barr & Shergill)
  • Exoskeletons for the trunk and shoulder (Prior PhD Students Logan Van Engelhoven & Nathan Poon)
  • Mice and keyboards during gaming (Student, Guangchuan Li has been )

Mice and keyboards during gaming   

Hand computer interaction

Student, Guangchuan Li has been working on hand computer interaction such as the design and evaluation of microgestures, a project led by Dr. David Rempel

Translational research - usability evaluations in the field:
The last area of research, Translational Research, includes the efficacy of interventions by conducting usability evaluations in the field.
  • How cueing changes sedentary behavior in knowledge workers (Federico Arippa, Athena Nguyen, Matthew Kiok)
  • How a systems approach influences physical activity among schoolchildren (Judith Okoro)
  • How exoskeletons can be safely and effectively used in construction (Nancy Guiterrez)

DEPARTMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Added 2 seasoned consultants (Melissa Afterman and Meg Honan) to the program who mentor students while providing HFE services for industry and labor organizations (read more in blog post)

  Melissa Aftermath Meg Honan

  • Built a new HFE Work Simulation Center providing 1200 square feet of space, including the following (read more in blog post)
Simulated concrete grinding station complete with adjustable height ceiling and wall concrete slabs and force plates
Packaging and assembly workstations
A National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Position and Load Test Apparatus for Exoskeletons (PoLoTAE)
  • Launched a 3-Day Summer Skills Workshop in the HFE Work Simulation Center to teach exposure and risk assessment skills to graduate students and professionals (learn more)
  • Created a new website and social media marketing campaign to highlight the program, its students and the various opportunities associated with a career in HFE
  • Added Human Factors in Industrial Design Course (IEOR 170) to coursework. Dr. Harris teaches this mixed undergraduate/graduate course
  • Continued a professional 6 class 8-week online ergonomics education course series that includes: Fundamentals of HFE (ERG100); Evidence Based HFE Practice (ERG110); Physical HFE (ERG120); Cognitive HFE (ERG130); Prevention through Design (ERG140); Macroergonomics & Systems Approach to HFE (ERG150) (learn more)
  • Added Cognitive HFE (ERG130) and Macroergonomics (ERG150) to the HFE Core Courses to fill in content gaps and complement internship experiences
  • Added trainee site visits to a variety of industries including electric auto manufacturing, Google, winery production, fiberglass construction, and biotechnology

STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

NIOSH ERC Trainees Who Completed Training During 2019

 
Nathan Poon
  • Nathan Poon, PhD - Co-Founder of educational startup. Applying Human Factors to education by designing an online service for teachers.

Charles Miller

  • Charles Miller, MS - Environmental Health Sciences. Works as a consultant providing ergonomic services for bay area companies.

Student Outreach Activities During 2019

Poon, N. - “Evaluation of a Trunk Supporting Exoskeleton for Reducing Risk for Back Injury due to Fatigue” Industrial Engineering & Human Factors Course.
Van Engelhoven, L. - "An overview of passive exoskeletons in the workplace." NORCAL-ERC Summer Skills Workshop.

PUBLICATIONS

Students in BOLD and Faculty underlined

Carisa Harris Presenting

Harris-Adamson C, Lam E, Fathallah F, Tong AD, Hill S, Smith A The ergonomic impact of a mattress lift tool and bottom sheet type on hotel room cleaners while making beds. Applied ergonomics 2019;81:102880. 10.1016/j.apergo.2019.102880 PMID:31422276
Huang R, Harris-Adamson C, Odell D, Rempel D.Design of finger gestures for locomotion in virtual reality. Virtual Reality & Intelligent Hardware 2019, 1(1): 1-9. 10.3724/SP.J.2096-5796.2018.0007
Lin J, Harris-Adamson C & Rempel D. The Design of Hand Gestures for Selecting Virtual Objects. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction [Preprint]. February 5, 2019. Available from: 10.1080/10447318.2019.1571783.
Van Engelhoven L*, Poon N*, Kazerooni H, Rempel D, Barr A, Harris-Adamson C. Experimental evaluation of shoulder-support exoskeleton for overhead work: Influences of peak torque, amplitude, tasks and tool mass. IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors [Preprint].

PRESENTATIONS

Students in BOLD and Faculty underlined

Afterman M, Honan M, Zhao C, Barr A, Harris-Adamson C. Hotel Room Cleaner Job Demands Assessment. Applied Ergonomics Conference. March 25 - 28, 2019, New Orleans, LA.
Li G, Wang M, Hoeglinger E, Wiesinger A, Barr A, Harris-Adamson C. The impact of mouse weight and connection type on muscle activity and performance while gaming. International Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Meeting, October 28 – November 1, 2019, Seattle, WA.
Li G, Wang M, Hoeglinger E, Wiesinger A, Barr A, Harris-Adamson C. The impact of mouse weight and connection type on muscle activity and performance while gaming. NORA Young Investigator Conference, April 2019, Salt Lake City, UT.
Nguyen P, Cope M, Harris-Adamson C. Cannabis Ergonomics. American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 20-22, 2019, Minneapolis, MN.
Poon N*, Van Engelhoven L*, Kazerooni H, Harris-Adamson C. Evaluation of a Trunk Supporting Exoskeleton for reducing Muscle Fatigue. International Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Meeting, October 28 – November 1, 2019, Seattle, WA.
Poon N*, Van Engelhoven L*, Kazerooni H, Harris-Adamson C. Evaluation of a Trunk Supporting Exoskeleton for reducing Muscle Fatigue. NORA Young Investigator Conference, April 2019, Salt Lake City,
Van Engelhoven L*, Poon N*, Kazerooni H, Rempel D, Barr A, Harris-Adamson C. Emerging Robotics and Exoskeleton Technology: Implications for Worker Safety and Health. American Occupational Health Conference, Apr 28 - May 01, 2019, Anaheim, CA.
Wang M, Fan H, Harris Adamson C, Yu S. Anthropometric Characteristics of Chinese Auricles for Ergonomic Design. International Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Meeting, October 28 – November 1, 2019, Seattle, WA.
Wang M, Fan H, Harris-Adamson C, Yu S. Anthropometric Characteristics of Chinese Auricles for Ergonomic Design. NORA Young Investigator Conference, April 2019, Salt Lake City, UT.
Wiesinger A, Hoeglinger E, Venkatasubramanian V, Harris-Adamson C. Using IMUs to predict and quantify the physical demands of a job. NORA Young Investigator Conference, April 2019, Salt Lake City, UT.