Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Category: Member News
- How did you first become interested in the world of rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology?
As a member of the Laboratory for Percutaneous Surgery (Perk Lab) at Queen’s University in Kingston, our project manager (PM), Emese Elkind, had the privilege of contributing to an ongoing collaboration with the Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), a nonprofit based in Mae Sot, Thailand. BCMF provides medical treatment and support services, including accessible prosthetics, to underserved Burmese migrants living along the Thai-Myanmar border.
Driven by this project, our PM initiated a new collaboration between BCMF and the Queen’s Biomedical Innovation Team (QBiT). The partnership focuses on the design and development of affordable, functional prosthetic limbs, combining remote engineering expertise with on-site technical support.
- What inspired you to create Project A.R.M.?
Our prosthetics initiative, Project A.R.M., was developed to help the design and development of prosthetics at BCMF. After learning from BCMF and our PM about the gap in accessible low-cost, 3D-printed, above-elbow, prosthetics, we decided to create a design for them to suit their needs and requirements. As a result, our dedicated team of student engineers designed an accessible, low-cost, body-powered, above-elbow, 3D-printed prosthetic arm.
Participating in the 2025 Student Design Challenge was an amazing experience. Our first-place award of $1,000 USD from the Student Design Challenge will be donated to BCMF to continue their incredible work. Receiving this support from RESNA allows us to continue developing a solution that can make an impact for Burmese migrants.
- What new opportunities has RESNA given you as a student?
RESNA has been a key stepping stone in introducing us to the world of assistive technology. Through engaging keynote speakers and meaningful conversations around ongoing research, we’ve gained a new understanding for rehabilitation and its many facets. RESNA presenters identified gaps in research and careers within the field, and it taught us that there are many others that share a common passion and goal.
- How has RESNA given you experience in different areas of AT?
RESNA has broadened our exposure to many different areas within assistive technology beyond prosthetics. Through workshops, poster sessions, and conversations with professionals from across the field, we gained insight into mobility aids, communication devices, and rehabilitation tools we had never encountered before. It expanded our understanding of how interdisciplinary the field is, blending engineering, clinical care, policy, and design. Hearing how others approached challenges in accessibility and rehabilitation encouraged us to continue to think holistically about patient needs and the broader ecosystem of AT solutions.
- What advice would you give for anyone trying to get more involved with RESNA?
Our experience at RehabWeek showed us that there is space for anyone to get involved. Our advice is to find an interesting topic where you can apply your skills and explore how you can make a difference, whether that’s by developing a new solution or digging deeper into the root of a problem.
- How has RESNA helped prepare you for a career in AT?
One of the most valuable aspects of RESNA was the opportunity to build a network of connections united by a shared goal—making rehabilitation more accessible. By connecting with graduate students, startup founders, and researchers, we gained insight into the interdisciplinary nature of assistive technology. RESNA gave us a fresh perspective on how deeply personal rehabilitation is, shaped by factors such as geography, culture, and access to care. We gained valuable insight into accessibility, unconscious bias, and the diverse experiences of individuals providing and receiving rehabilitative treatment. This experience has pinpointed that people with many different interests and skills can join to make a meaningful impact in this field. RESNA has opened many options for us as undergraduate students looking to further our career in this field.