Quantitative Exploratory Evaluation of the Frequency, Causes and Consequences of Rehabilitation Wheelchair Breakdowns delivered at a Paediatric Clinic in Mexico

Maria is a PhD student in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh and is a native of Colombia. Maria received her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering in 2007 at la Escuela de Ingenieria de Antioquia and Universidad CES and her M.Sc. in Rehabilitation Science and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh in 2011.

Received her BS in Biomedical Engineering and a Diploma Degree in Rehabilitation Engineering from the Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City in 2006 and 2007, respectively. During her undergraduate studies she worked in designing and developing several assistive technologies for people with a broad variety of disabilities. After graduating, she worked at the Centro de Ingenieria y Tecnologia de Rehabilitacion (CITeR) in the same university. She received her MS in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh in April, 2012.

Received her bachelor degree in Industrial Engineering from Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM). Mexico City 2004. Her BS thesis project involved the development of a device for the automatic measurement of urine. She participated in a social integration program for seven years at CRIT (Children Rehabilitation Center Teleton). She is currently pursuing a MS Degree in Rehabilitation Science and Technology and has been involved on wheelchair user's biomechanics and biostatistics testing and analysis.

Received his bachelor degree in psychology from Mercyhurst College and received his master and doctoral degrees in epidemiology and public health from Yale University. He completed postgraduate training in higher education management and leadership at Harvard University. He is the chair of the Public Health Department at Mercyhurst College and a tenured Professor of Public Health. He is the founding director of the Mercyhurst Institute for Public Health. His research focuses on program evaluation of public health programs and initiatives.

Received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, his M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University with a focus in Biomechanics, and his PhD in Rehabilitation Science and Technology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Science. He currently works as a faculty researcher at the Human Engineering Research Laboratories. His research focus is on understanding and improving assistive technology transfer to developing nations.