Hamid Charkhkar

Principal Investigator

Research Assistant Professor, Case Western Reserve University

PhD Electrical and Computer Engineering, George Mason University

Dr. Hamid Charkhkar is a research assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and serves as an investigator at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center's Advanced Platform Technology Center. Specializing in the development of innovative assistive technologies, Dr. Charkhkar is focused on enhancing sensorimotor functions for individuals with limb loss or neuromusculoskeletal conditions.

Leading the Restoring Lower Limb Neural Connection (ReLLiNC) laboratory, his research work connects artificial limb technology with the human peripheral nervous system. Dr. Charkhkar's research spans from basic science to translational neurotechnology. His efforts have contributed to the advancement of neuroprostheses, playing a pivotal role in various regulatory submissions, including local IRB approvals and interactions with the US FDA for Investigational Device Exemption.

Dr. Charkhkar received his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from George Mason University ('15) and completed his postdoctoral training at Case Western Reserve University ('20). His diverse research portfolio has led him to publish +25 peer-reviewed articles and serve as an invited reviewer for over 35 scientific journals and professional conferences. Additionally, he serves as a member of the APT Center Leadership Council and holds a senior membership with IEEE. 

 

Ronald J. Triolo

Principal Investigator

Executive Director, Advanced Platform Technology Center

Senior Research Career Scientist, US Department of Veterans Affairs

Professor, Case Western Reserve University

PhD Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering, Drexel University

Dr. Triolo is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University and a Senior Research Career Scientist with the Rehabilitation Research & Development Service of the US Department of Veterans Affairs.  He is the Executive Director of the Advanced Platform Technology Center where he oversees the design, prototyping and production of novel medical devices and rehabilitation, assistive or restorative technologies for individuals with sensorimotor impairments or limb loss.  He also directs the Motion Study Laboratory of the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center where he pursues research in the development and clinical application of new neuroprostheses and peripheral nerve interfaces, biomechanics and the control of human movement, and quantitative assessment of rehabilitation outcomes.  Dr. Triolo has authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters, generated seven US and international patents, and mentored approximately 40 graduate and medical students or post-doctoral trainees.  He currently leads independent research programs funded the VA, NIH, DoD and other federal and private agencies to prevent or recover from stumbles and falls, restore or enhance upright and seated mobility, posture, and balance, and universal access for individuals with neuro-musculo-skeletal disorders.  Dr. Triolo was inducted into the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, received the Paul B. Magnuson Award for outstanding achievement in Rehabilitation Research and Development from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the Disabled American Veterans Outstanding Veterans Health Administration Employee, and the Maurice Saltzman Award for Clinical/Academic Excellence from the Mount Sinai Foundation.

 

Jessica Jarvela (née Walrath)

Study Coordinator

MS Pathology, Case Western Reserve University

BS Biology, University of Dayton

Jessica’s primary focus is providing administrative support to both the clinical and technical project teams for the laboratory's multiple projects. This includes coordinating test subject scheduling, documentation and maintenance of research data, support completion of regulatory documents for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Institutional Review Board (IRB), and/or project sponsor as required, as well as assist the quality systems engineer and systems engineer in generation of all quality system documentation.

 

Melissa Schmitt

PhD Student, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing

Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center 

BS Nursing, Kent State University

Melissa currently works with a multidisciplinary team that applies electrical stimulation to the residual nerves in amputees to provide sensation from prosthetic hands or feet. Her research interest includes seeking to understand the psychosocial experiences of upper limb amputees.

 

Aarika Sheehan

Physical Therapist, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center

Doctor of Physical Therapy, Cleveland State University

Aarika is a physical therapist who heads recruitment efforts, directs functional training, and performs outcome assessments for the Restoring Lower Limb Neural Connection (ReLLiNC) laboratory. After earning her bachelor of science in neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh in 2009 and her doctor of physical therapy degree from Cleveland State University in 2013, she worked primarily as an outpatient physical therapist before joining the APT Center in 2019 where she currently utilizes her clinical background to aid in the advancement of prosthetic technology.

 

Dakota Noble

Research Engineer

MS Engineering, University of Akron

Dakota provides engineering and administrative support to the ReLLiNC team. His responsibilities include acting as a liaison between the research team and other departments within the VA, assisting in project management, report writing, and neuroprosthetic technical development.

 

Alex Zanowick-Marr, MPH (she/hers)

Clinical Research Analyst

Master of Public Health, Case Western Reserve University 

Alex serves as a Clinical Research Analyst for the Cleveland VA Medical Research and Education Foundation (CVAMREF) where she provides support for studies as an affiliate to the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA and University. Through her work, she seeks to characterize and explore the psychosocial experiences of individuals with limb loss with a special focus on those using new neuroprosthetic technology.Alex graduated from Case Western Reserve University ('20) simultaneously earning her Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and Master of Public Health. Upon graduating, she moved to Rhode Island where she pursued interests in Infectious Diseases as the Brown University AIDS Program (BRUNAP) Coordinator and a Senior Research Assistant/Coordinator to multilevel interventions exploring disparities within HIV/AIDS care. In totality, her work has allowed her to cultivate a deep interest in intersectionality within healthcare and care gaps which she seeks to explore through her professional career.

Suzhou Li

PhD Candidate, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering

BS Biomedical and Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University

Suzhou is studying the effect of restoring plantar sensation to individuals with lower limb loss on their balance and risk of falls. His research focuses on how this sensory restoration technology affects lower limb reflex pathways and recovery from perturbations to gait.

Hannah Morgan

PhD Candidate, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering

BS Biomedical Engineering, The College of New Jersey

Hannah’s current research focuses on applying sensory restoration technology in individuals who have lost their limbs to diabetes with the goal of improving tissue health, mobility, and physical activity.

 

 

 

Eileen Petros

PhD Candidate, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering

BS Biomedical Engineering, BA Computer Science, Minor Computer Game Design, Case Western Reserve University

Eileen's current research explores how plantar sensation impacts the cognitive load of walking.  She is also interested in using AR/VR technologies to create compelling rehabilitation tools and novel experiments.

 

 

 

Lindsey Hauck

PhD Candidate, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering

BS Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis

Lindsey’s current research involves creating a bidirectional leg prosthesis that combines sensory input and motor control in order to complete the lower limb sensorimotor system for individuals with lower limb loss.

 

Srikanth Chavali

PhD Student, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering

BS Electrical Engineering, University of Washington

Srikanth's current research aims to close the gap between the foot-floor interaction and elicited plantar sensation, improving balance and navigation for people with limb loss.

 

Undergraduate Researchers

Anish Khot, Biomedical Engineering Class of 2025

Anish's current research involves developing the mechanical design and low-level control structure of the bidirectional leg prosthesis. His responsibilities also include assisting researchers in creating testing jigs and equipment for experiments.

 

Mau Koishida, Biomedical Engineering Class of 2025

Mau's current research is concentrated on testing a portable EMG Processing Module in recording reliable EMG data from lower limb muscles for integration with the lab's neural stimulation systems.

 

 

 

Eason Lei, Biomedical Engineering Class of 2024

Eason’s current research involves using motion capture systems to explore the effectiveness of sensory restoration technologies in aiding amputees to traverse challenging landscapes, particularly focusing on navigating stairs.