A little about me...
I completed a Masters of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering through the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering at McMaster University in 2005. My Masters work focused on efficiency considerations and electrical losses in the rotor of a squirrel cage induction motor. I was awarded a Bachelor of Engineering and Management in Electrical Engineering in 2002, from McMaster University.
I began my PhD studies in September of 2009 with the IATSL following my acceptance into the IBBME. My research focus is on extending previous work on the COACH. Specifically, I seek to generalize the assistance provided by the COACH to other daily tasks (beyond the task of hand washing), increase the robustness of the system and develop it into a product that can be used in the actual homes of people with dementia. Much work in the field of assistive technology focuses on the theoretical development of devices - this project looks to move beyond theory in order to actually increase the independence, autonomy and quality of life of people with dementia by allowing them to live independently in their homes longer. The idea is to ultimately reduce the burden on caregivers and by keeping an elderly person in their home longer, will help reduce the burden on global health care.