Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology

Overview

More than one billion people in the world experience some form of disability. Our goal: To enable every individual to participate in all of life’s activities. Our tools: Innovative ideas, practical solutions and never-say-never attitudes.

In Pitt’s Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, the challenge is always on.

Faculty researchers are at the forefront of developing national and international standards for assistive technologies. They push the limits to bring new devices to market, while students develop interdisciplinary skills and gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art laboratories and through clinical rotations.

There’s a spirit of collaboration between engineers, scientists, counselors and researchers to improve the mobility and quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Programs

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Prosthetics and Orthotics (MS)

On-campus

Duration:

2 years,
(5 terms, including 1 summer term)

Program Start:

Fall term (August)

Application Closes: December 1, 2025

Rehabilitation Science (PhD)

On-campus

Duration:

4-5 years

Program Start:

Fall term (August)

Application Closes: May 1, 2026

Students and instructors working on a powered wheelchair.
Rehabilitation Technology (MRT)

Hybrid

Duration:

Full-time
1 year
(3 terms, including 1 summer term)

Part-time
Varies and at the student’s pace

Program Start:

Fall term (August)

Application Closes: August 15, 2026

Scholarships

The Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology offers competitive fellowships to MS students and postdocs.

  • View this scholarship page in late Fall of 2024 for possible scholarship opportunities for the 2025 school year.
  • Student Research Opportunities
  • AccelerATe

RST students are encouraged to apply for external funding. Below is a list of nationally competitive fellowships and funding databases. The links provide a basic summary of each fellowship. If you have specific questions regarding one of these fellowships, please contact the sponsor.

AccelerATe

A diverse and well-trained workforce is critical to meet the needs of a growing number of individuals who can benefit from Assistive Technology (AT), a number expected to double from one to two billion people by 2050. To ensure that AT is appropriate for those who need it, the workforce must promote excellence in AT education, design, provision, manufacturing and research. To help fuel this workforce growth, the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology (RST) is offering the AccelerATe Scholarship.

Scholars will receive a one-time maximum scholarship award of $5,000 (U.S.) to offset costs associated with RST degree-granting programs including the master’s in either Rehabilitation Technology (RT) or Prosthetics & Orthotics (P&O).

Eligibility

  • Demonstrate financial need for the scholarship
  • Be from a group that is under-represented in STEM or health care fields and/or have demonstrated leadership supporting disadvantaged groups, such as racial/ethnic minorities, sexual and gender minorities, individuals with disabilities, or those in low-resource settings.

 

The AccelerATe Scholarship is sponsored by the Kaufman family.

 

Innovate, Educate, Elevate: Advanced Training in Rehabilitation Technology

A collaborative team of University of Pittsburgh faculty and external partners has been awarded a five-year, $875,000 training grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). The grant, titled “Innovate, Educate, Elevate: Advanced Training in Rehabilitation Technology,” aims to expand the national workforce of highly skilled professionals delivering cutting-edge assistive technology (AT) services, with a focus on transition and vocational rehabilitation.

Over these five years, the initiative will:

  • Fully fund 10 master’s students to become leaders in rehabilitation technology.
  • Provide advanced training to 70 current professionals to strengthen national AT service capacity.
  • Foster collaboration between academia, clinicians, educators, and policymakers to enhance accessibility and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

The project officially launched on October 1, 2025

Training Opportunities

  • Master’s in Rehabilitation Technology (MRT)
    • Focus: Prepares students for clinical, research, and design careers in rehabilitation and nonprofit settings.
    • Support: Full tuition, stipend, and professional development funding for 10 scholars (2 per year).
    • See the program’s admissions page for more details.
  • Continuing Education + ATP Certification Track
    • Focus: Upskills professionals (rehabilitation counselors, OTs, PTs, special educators, technologists) working in vocational rehab or nonprofit settings.
    • Support: Free access to online continuing education modules and waived RESNA Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) exam fee.
    • Delivery: 100% online and asynchronous.
    • Start Date: Flexible entry; ATP prep course offered in the fall semester.
    • Size: Up to 14 participants per year (70 total).
    • Eligibility: Current employment in a rehabilitation or nonprofit setting.
A man in dark blue shirt and pants with a dark beard and hair assists a woman in a gray sweatshirt sitting in an assistive device chair

Master of Rehabilitation Technology Program Awarded $875,000 U.S. Department of Education Training Grant

The five-year grant will expand the national workforce of highly skilled professionals delivering cutting-edge assistive technology services, with a focus on transition and vocational rehabilitation.

Read the full story

Student Groups

SHRS Affinity Groups
Prosthetics & Orthotics and Rehabilitation Technology Student Organization
SHRS Student Advisory Board
Interprofessional Studies Student Group

Research

In the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology (RST), we engage in research of impact. Our research is focused on improving health and rehabilitation outcomes for people with disabilities through the integration of consumer experiences, engineering, assistive technology, medicine and clinical practice.

Research Areas

  • Assistive Technology Innovation and Commercialization
    • Solving user- and clinician-driven challenges by innovating and commercializing assistive technologies (ATs).
  • Product Performance, Standards and Clinical Usability
    • Conducting rigorous performance testing of assistive technologies, support surfaces, and seating systems to guide manufacturers, clinicians, and policymakers.
    • Establishing national and international testing standards to ensure safety, effectiveness, and usability of mobility and rehabilitation technologies in real-world settings.
    • Advancing solutions for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of soft tissue injuries through research on seating, support surfaces, and physiological factors that impact tissue viability.
  • Smart Technology for Accessibility, Aging and Independence
    • Advancing smart technology solutions—including wearables, smart home devices, and assistive robotics—to enhance accessibility, independence, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities.
    • Using human-centered design to develop and evaluate smart technologies that support cognitive health, aging in place, and caregiving for individuals with neurodegenerative conditions.
    • Supporting innovation and commercialization of assistive technologies, including clinical decision support systems and solutions that help older adults remain independent.
  • Mobility, Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Technology
    • Improving mobility solutions through the development of accessible transportation, wheelchair performance assessment, and prosthetic/orthotic optimization to enhance function and independence.
    • Integrating biomechanics, human factors, and clinical outcomes research to refine device prescription, enhance usability, and support rehabilitation efforts.
  • Education, Training and Knowledge Translation
    • Providing continuing education and training for rehabilitation professionals through online courses, symposia, and evidence-based resources to enhance clinical expertise in assistive technology and rehabilitation science.
    • Supporting student and professional learning through research mentorship, Capstone projects, and international collaborations to advance knowledge and innovation in the field.
  • Health care Policy, Equity and Systems Change
    • Using data-driven insights to inform policy and advocacy efforts, ensuring equitable access to assistive technology, mobility solutions, and rehabilitation services for underserved populations.
    • Advancing a rights-based approach and systems-thinking perspective to improve personal recovery, social integration, and long-term support for individuals with psychosocial and cognitive disabilities.
    • Driving improvements in healthcare coverage, funding models, and service delivery through large-scale data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and systems-level research.
    • Supporting national/international efforts to translate assistive technology research into real-world solutions through collaboration with industry partners, grantees, and policymakers.

Active Research Labs and Projects

 

Industry Partnerships and Contracted Services

The University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology (RST) has successfully collaborated with industry partners and supplied contracted services for more than two decades. A sampling of these partners is listed below. RST is always seeking to expand and enhance the list of external partners we work with. Please reach out to Dave Brienza with any inquiries concerning opportunities in these areas.

RST Industry Partnerships

RST collaborates with industry partners to perform research and development for assistive and rehabilitation products and services—including product design and development, laboratory testing, clinical evaluation, human factors and usability assessments, best practice development, and training programs.

These collaborations can be supported by several mechanisms that most frequently involve either direct payment for services or federal grant dollars awarded through the NIDILRR Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which funds research and development for small businesses interested in commercializing new technologies. Funding typically ranges from $150,000 to $1 million, depending on the phase of development and grant specifications. RST’s IMPACT Center offers industry partners the guidance and support needed to pursue these funding streams. Additional information and contact details can be found on the IMPACT webpage.

RST Contracted Services

RST has a rich history of providing product development and evaluation services for manufacturers, suppliers, third-party payers, and foundations. Services include development, laboratory testing, and clinical evaluation of assistive and rehabilitation products.

Examples of products evaluated for performance and durability:

  • Wheelchair Testing (ISO 7176 and RESNA WC-1/WC-2)
  • Wheelchair Caster Testing (ISO 7176-32)
  • Wheelchair Cushion Testing (ISO 16840 and RESNA WC-3)
  • Office Chair Testing
  • Mattress Testing (RESNA SS-1)
  • Operating Room Overlay Testing
  • Wheelchair Drive Wheels and Caster Rolling Resistance Testing

Companies/organizations we have worked with:

  • Hillrom
  • Invacare
  • Permobil
  • Arjo
  • Turncare
  • Dabir Surfaces
  • ROHO
  • VGM/US Rehab
  • Wheels for Humanity​
  • Anthros
  • Tamarack
  • Game Changer Technologies
  • ASP Global
  • Rolapal
  • Supracor
  • USCAR (US Council for Automotive Research)
  • Pratt Miller Engineering

Publications

RST has published and presented its research since 1994. For a look at RST’s most recent publications using PubMed, please select the links below:

Research Experiences

We offer students opportunities to engage in research experiences within the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology. Participation in research will help you gain critical skills and complement classroom learning.

Available options include volunteer as well as paid positions and are available to Pitt students and non-Pitt students. Please fill out the appropriate link below.

Before applying, we encourage you to take a look at RST Research areas, publications and faculty to help get a better idea of what RST Research has to offer.

Student Research Opportunities

Pitt Students (undergraduate, graduate)

If you are a Pitt student interested in exploring research opportunities, please complete the SHRS Student Research Tracker at this link. You MUST have an active Pitt e-mail to complete this form.

  • Under the “Disciplines” section, please choose “Rehabilitation Science and Technology” as “Primary Discipline.” This will ensure that your application is routed to RST first.
  • If we are unable to provide a position at RST, your application will be routed to any additional departments you indicate under “Disciplines” (Choice 2 and so on).

Non-Pitt Students

If you are not enrolled at Pitt but are interested in exploring research opportunities, please complete the Online Research Interest Form at this link. Your information will be shared with all RST Research faculty and kept on file.

 

Study Recruitment

The department is recruiting research participants for the following research studies. Please review the studies below for details. If you are interested in learning more, reach out by phone or e-mail to the contact provided for that particular study.

 

Be sure to check back for additional opportunities!

International Seating Symposium

The International Seating Symposium (ISS) is the world’s largest academic conference in the field of seating, mobility, and assistive technology for people with disabilities. ISS draws key stakeholders from the continuum of care: clinicians, researchers, manufacturers, suppliers, consumers, and more are all present at the events.

Since its inception in 1982, ISS has been hosted annually across North America. The event is expected to draw close to 2,500 participants and roughly 100 exhibitors for a meeting that includes the exhibit hall, plenary sessions, instructional courses, research papers, and posters presentations by experts from around the world.

The ISS team also supports partner conferences in other continents including the European Seating Symposium, Latin American Seating Symposium, and Oceania Seating Symposium.

Learn more about ISS, find registration information, and view the event schedule on the ISS website.

Questions can be directed to the ISS team at rst_ce@pitt.edu.


People

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Abrar Alamri

PhD Student

 aba114@pitt.edu
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Melissa Aleksak

Director of the Adaptive Driving Program, Assistant Professor

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Paige Altman

Education and Training Manager

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Nancy Augustine

Project Manager

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Mitch Bell

Adjunct Instructor

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Jessica Boateng

Research Coordinator

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Casey Brienza

Research Engineer

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David Brienza

Associate Dean for Technology and Innovation, Professor

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Helen Cochrane

Director of the Prosthetics and Orthotics Program, Assistant Professor

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Rory Cooper

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research for STEM-Health Sciences Collaborations, Distinguished Professor

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Rosemarie Cooper

Associate Director of Stakeholder Engagement at HERL, Associate Professor

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Clive D’Souza

Assistant Professor

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Vicki DiDomenico

Human Resources Manager

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Dan Ding

Vice Chair for Research for the Department and Professor

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Tori DiRoma

Laboratory Coordinator

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Jonathan Duvall

Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor

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Ikenna Ebuenyi

Assistant Professor

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Paola Esquivel

PhD Student

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Julie Faieta

Director of the Master of Rehabilitation Technology Program, Assistant Professor

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Goeran Fiedler

Associate Professor

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Daniel Fisher

Interim Chair for the Department, Assistant Professor

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Jack Fried

Research Engineer

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Mary Goldberg

Associate Dean for Interprofessional Studies, Associate Professor

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Gene Gomez

Adaptive Driving Instructor/Continuing Education Coordinator

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Garrett Grindle

Research Scientist, Assistant Director of Engineering at HERL

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Fuzexia Guo

Evaluation Project Coordinator

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Adjunct Instructor

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Rachel Hibbs

Director of Continuing Education, Assistant Professor

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Zijian Huang

Postdoctoral Associate

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Meredith Karavolis

Research Project Manager

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Karl A. Kemmerer

Continuing Education Manager

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Alexandra Kemmerer

Communication Coordinator

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Professor

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Manager of Finance and Personnel

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Instructor

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Assistant Professor

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PhD Student

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Clinical Instructor

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Research Scientist

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Adjunct Instructor

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Gina Novario

Postdoctoral Associate, Research Scientist

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Adjunct Instructor

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Mariana Pacheco Busquets

Postdoctoral Associate

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Associate Dean of Commercial Translation, Professor

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Adjunct Clinical Instructor

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Data Systems Administrator

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Shandy Rivera

Adjunct Instructor

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Kimberly Robinson

Chair Assistant for the Department, Administrative Coordinator

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Financial Assistant

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Research Engineer II

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Daniel Rusnak

Research Coordinator

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Adjunct Instructor

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Clinical Research Coordinator

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Research Scientist

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Vice Chair for Clinical Services and Policy, Associate Professor

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Software Engineer

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Research Engineer II

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Adjunct Faculty

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Adjunct Clinical Instructor

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Instructor

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Adjunct Professor

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Grant Writer and Editor

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Adjunct Faculty

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Assistant Professor

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Hanju Zhu

PhD Student

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Michelle Zorrilla

Associate Director of Technology Translation

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Community Engagement

Training Programs:

Service

The Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) provides comprehensive services to its clients based on their needs and personal goals. A joint program of UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh, CAT has emerged as a leader and innovator in the assistive technology field. RST students have opportunities for experiential learning with AT leaders through the center.

Resources

Current Student Hub

Students can find access to program and school materials in the Current Student Resource Hub. Pitt Passport is required.

Current Students can also find answers to commonly asked questions and connect with valuable resources and contacts. This resource helps students locate academic guidance, professional development, or support for each individual’s wellbeing including things like counseling or study resources.