Virginia Tech Carilion Research Projects Funded

Maria Hirsch intubates the human patient simulator in the Carilion Clinic Center for Experiential Learning.
Maria Hirsch intubates the human patient simulator in the Carilion Clinic Center for Experiential Learning.

Six $30,000 seed grants have been awarded to advance Virginia Tech Carilion (VTC) School of Medicine and Research Institute’s research to address falling risks, prevention and treatment of infectious disease, and development of a patient simulator.

Tom Campbell, assistant director for research and operations for the research institute announced that teams of Virginia Tech and Carilion researchers submitted 22 proposals for consideration.

“The partnership is clearly creating new approaches to medical research. Building on the momentum from the first round of funded seed projects, this second roundwill further the strong collaboration between Virginia Tech and Carilion Clinic to set the stage for VTC,” Campbell said.

“These most recent seed grant awards represent the growing opportunities in  research and education that exist between Virginia Tech and Carilion Clinic,”  said Dr. Daniel Harrington, vice president for academic affairs for Carilion Clinic and associate dean for clinic and regional integration for the school of  medicine. “This collaboration between researchers and clinicians is just the beginning of a strong and dynamic partnership that will strengthen both organizations and create an exciting learning environment for Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute students, residents, faculty, and researchers.”

Shashank Priya, associate professor of materials science and engineering and of mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech, and Sonya L. Ranson, associate professor with the VTC school of medicine and manager of the Center for Experiential Learning, received a grant for “Prototyping a Human-like Patient.”

“The program is part of a larger VTC project to develop a full-scale patient simulation facility and humanoid hospital, a training facility for healthcare providers using human patient simulators,” said Ranson.

The present facility already has three human patient simulators and various part-task trainers that allow students to practice basic clinical skills. The full-body mannequins are run from an associated control room.

“Our research builds upon the recent progress made at our laboratory in fabricating human-like skin and humanoid face, neck, arm, wrist, and fingers,” said Priya. “With this grant, we will develop a human-like patient and study specific disease states. This seed fund will significantly strengthen our efforts and allow us to achieve important milestones in order to secure funding from federal agencies.”

Priya is leading the effort on the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science’s Humanoid Hospital, which consists of faculty members from mechanical engineering, chemistry, and human nutrition, food and exercise at Virginia Tech.

His research interests include energy harvesting, artificial muscles, humanoid skin and face, actuators, and sensors.

For more information, visit,  http://www.vtc.vt.edu/.

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