Megan O'Brien, PhD
My Lab
Max Näder Center for Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcomes Research
We develop and execute industry-sponsored research in prosthetics, orthotics, rehabilitation robotics, and adaptive technologies.
view labAbout Me
Dr. Megan O'Brien's research examines on the use of wearable technology to monitor or improve movement capabilities. She is currently investigating smartphones and machine learning techniques to assess the everyday movement behaviors and social interactions of stroke patients at home and in the community. The goal of her research is to better understand how patients recover independent mobility outside of the hospital environment.
Dr. O'Brien's previous work in motor control and neuroeconomics examined the influence of risk and emotional state on movement-based decisions.
Location
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
355 E. Erie
Chicago, IL 60611
Education & Training
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Education
2010 – 2014
PhD, Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
2010 – 2012
MS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
2005 – 2009
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN
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Fellowship
2016
Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
NIH T32 Postdoctoral Fellow using wearable sensors to monitor persons with stroke
Awards
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Sarah Baskin Award for Excellence in Research2021
Research Interests
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Machine learning and data science
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Disease detection, intervention, and prevention
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Community monitoring and real-world patient behaviors
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Rehabilitation technologies for mobility, health, and function
