Curious People, Big Ideas: Biomechanical Rehabilitation and Manufacturing, Improving the Quality of Life of Medically Underserved Populations

"Biomechanical Rehabilitation and Manufacturing: Improving the Quality of Life of Medically Underserved Populations

Jorge Zuniga, Ph.D., has spent his career working to lower the cost of expensive medical devices and procedures for medically underserved populations. His presentation outlines the use of additive manufacturing for the development of medical devices. Through a “User-Inspired Basic Research Approach,” Zuniga's presentation will walk you through the research, development, and deployment of 3D printed artificial limbs for children experiencing limb loss; including the development of anatomical models for surgical planning for pediatric patients. Examples of community engagement and clinical cases will also be used to reveal how advancements in research and manufacturing can impact the quality of life of children around the world.

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About the Speaker

Jorge Zuniga, Ph.D., is a UNO faculty in UNO's College of Department of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, Department of Biomechanics. He also serves as the co-director of the Biomechanical Rehabilitation and Manufacturing Initiative (BRMI). His major research interests include the development of low-cost 3D printed prostheses, 3D printed anatomical models for surgical planning, and the development of new antimicrobial materials for 3D printing. Zuniga has authored and co-authored over 80 manuscripts published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, while also developing a 3D printed prosthetic hand for children named Cyborg Beast. His active scholarly collaboration, internationally, led to his nomination as the 2018 “Runner Up” for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Science Prize for Innovation, Research, and Education (ASPIRE).

2020-2021 Series Theme

Speakers and events for the 2020-2021 Curious People Series represent UNO's Big Ideas. These highlight areas of campus strength, especially where there are opportunities to enhance scholarly, research, and creative activities at UNO.

The six themes span campus to advance student experiences and community partnerships while deepening our connections to Omaha and Nebraska. “Through the Big Ideas process, the campus community has articulated a clear set of priorities for us to invest,” says Sacha Kopp, Ph.D., Senior Vice Chancellor, UNO Office of Academic Affairs.

General Series Information

Curious People Series events feature a UNO Faculty who speaks about a topic they are an expert in or have studied in their personal and academic lives.

The goal of this series is to stimulate curiosity among attendees. Curiosity has many benefits to those who ask questions, including an increase in the ability to learn and retain information, personal growth, openness to new opportunities, and overcoming stereotypes. It also increases problem-solving skills, maintains a sense of wonder that helps with innovation, and creates positive interpersonal interactions.

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