Rory A. Cooper, PhD
	Office Location 5042 Forbes Tower Office phone 412-383-6596 E-mail address rcooper@pitt.edu

 Academic Appointments

FISA & Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Chair and Distinguished Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh

VA Career Scientist and Director, Human Engineering Research Laboratories www.herlpitt.org (HERL), VA Center of Excellence in Wheelchairs and Associated Rehabilitation Engineering

Professor (Secondary Appointment), Departments of Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh

Education

PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering (Biomedical Engineering, and Signals & Systems), University of California, Santa Barbara, 1989
MS, Electrical Engineering (Computer Control Systems), California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 1986
BS, Electrical Engineering (Signals and Systems), California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 1985

Research Interests

Assistive Technology Design and Instrumentation

Standards and Quality Assurance

International Rehabilitation

Assistive Technology Policy and Access

Recent Publications

Kwarciak AM, Cooper RA, Ammer WA, Fitzgerald SG, Boninger ML, Cooper R, Fatigue Testing of Selected Suspension Manual Wheelchairs Using ANSI/RESNA Standards, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 86, No. 1, pp. 123-129, January 2005.

Algood SD, Cooper RA, Fitzgerald SG, Cooper RM, Boninger ML, Effect of a Pushrim Activated Power Assist Wheelchair on the Functional Capabilities of Persons with Tetraplegia, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 86, No. 3, pp. 380-386, March 2005.

Ding D, Cooper RA, Electric Powered Wheelchairs: A Review of Current Technology and Insight Into Future Directions, IEEE Control Systems Magazine, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 22-34, April 2005.

Souza AL, Boninger ML, Fitzgerald SG, Shimada SD, Cooper RA, Ambrosio F, Upper Limb Strength in Wheelchair Users with Spinal Cord Injury Who Use Manual Wheelchairs, Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 26-32, 2005.

Guo G, Grindle G, Cooper RA, Development of a Compact Chin-Operated Force Sensing Joystick, Saudi Journal of Disability and Rehabilitation, Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 212-217, October-December 2003 (published in 2005).

Koontz AM, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Souza AL, Fay BT, Scapular Range of Motion in a Quasi-Wheelchair Push, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 237-248, March 2004.

Rentschler AJ, Cooper RA, Fitzgerald SG, Boninger ML, Guo S, Ammer WA, Vitek M, Algood SD, Evaluation of Selected Electric Powered Wheelchairs Using the ANSI/RESNA Standards, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 85, No. 4, pp. 611-619, April 2004.

Fass MV, Cooper RA, Fitzgerald SG, Schmeler M, Boninger ML, Algood SD, Ammer WA, Rentschler AJ, Duncan J, Durability, Value, and Reliability of Selected Electric Powered Wheelchairs, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 85, No. 5, pp. 805-814, May 2004.

Ohnabe H, Cooper RA, Trend of Wheelchairs, Journal of The Japan Society for Welfare Engineering, Vol. 6, No. 1 , pp. 7-13, May 2004

Fay BT, Boninger ML, Fitzgerald SG, Souza AL, Cooper RA, Koontz AM, Manual Wheelchair Pushrim Dynamics in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 85, No. 6, pp. 935-942, June 2004.

Boninger ML, Impink B, Cooper RA, Koontz AM, Relation Between Median and Ulnar Nerve Function and Wrist Kinematics During Wheelchair Propulsion, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 85, No. 7, pp. 1141-1145, July 2004.

Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Cooper R, Fitzgerald SG, Kelleher A, Preliminary Assessment of a Prototype Advanced Mobility Device in the Work Environment of Veterans of Spinal Cord Injury, Neurorehabilitation, Vol 19, No. 2, pp. 161-170, 2004.

Crane BA, Holm MB, Hobson D, Cooper RA, Reed MP, Stadelmeier S, Development of a Consumer-Driven Wheelchair Seating Discomfort Assessment Tool (WcS-DAT), International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 85-90, 2004.

Cooper RA, Bioengineering and Spinal Cord Injury: A Perspective on the State-of-the-Science, Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine (APS 50th Anniversary Issue), Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 351-364, 2004.

Ding D, Cooper RA, Guo S, Corfman TA, Analysis of Driving Backwards in an Electric-Powered Wheelchair, IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, Vol. 12, No. 6, pp. 934-943, November 2004.

Chaves ES, Boninger ML, Cooper R, Fitzgerald SG, Gray D, Cooper RA, Assessing the Influence of Wheelchair Technology on Perception of Participation in Spinal Cord Injury, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Model Systems Issue), Vol. 85, No. 11, pp. 1854-1858, November 2004.

Hunt PC, Boninger ML, Cooper RA, Zafonte RD, Fitzgerald SG, Schmeler MR, Demographic and Socioeconomic Factor Associated with Disparity in Wheelchair Customizability Among People with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Model Systems Issue), Vol. 85, No. 11, pp. 1859-1864, November 2004.

Algood SD, Cooper RA, Fitzgerald SG, Cooper R, Boninger ML, Impact of Pushrim-Activated Power-Assisted Wheelchair on the Metabolic Demands, Stroke Frequency, and Range of Motion Among Subjects with Tetraplegia, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Model Systems Issue), Vol. 85, No. 11, pp. 1865-1871, November 2004.

Wolf EJ, Cooper RA, DiGiovine CP, Boninger ML, Guo S, Using the Absorbed Power Method to Evaluate Effectiveness of Vibration Absorption of Selected Seat Cushions During Manual Wheelchair Propulsion, Medical Engineering and Physics, Vol. 26, No. 9, pp. 799-806, November 2004.

Fitzgerald SG, Cooper RA, Thorman T, Cooper R, Guo S, Boninger ML, The GAMECycle Exercise System: A Comparison to Standard Ergometry, Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, Vol. 27, No. 5, pp. 453-459, 2004.

Cooper RA, Wolf EJ, Fitzgerald SG, Kelleher AR, Ammer WA, Boninger ML, Cooper R, Technical Perspective: Evaluation of Selected Sidewalk Pavement Surfaces for Vibration Experienced by Users of Manual and Powered Wheelchairs, Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, Vol. 27, No. 5, pp. 468-475, 2004.

Cooper RA, Wolf E, Fitzgerald SG, Boninger ML, Ulerich R, Ammer WA, Seat and Footrest Accelerations in Manual Wheelchairs With and Without Suspension, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 84, No. 1, pp. 96-102, January 2003.

Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Cooper R, Robertson RN, Baldini FD, Wheelchair Racing Efficiency, Disability and Rehabilitation, Vol. 25, Nos. 4-5, pp. 207-212, February 18-March 4, 2003.

Boninger ML, Cooper RA, Fitzgerald SG, Lin J, Cooper R, Dicianno B, Liu B, Investigating Neck Pain in Wheelchair Users, American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 82, No. 3, pp. 197-202, March 2003.

Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Cooper R, Dobson A, Kessler J, Schmeler M, Fitzgerald SG, Technical Perspectives: Use of the Independence™ 3000 IBOT™ Transporter at Home and in the Community, Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 79-85, Spring 2003.

Corfman TA, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Koontz AM, Fitzgerald SG, Range of Motion and Stroke Frequency Differences Between Manual Wheelchair Propulsion and Pushrim Activated Power Assisted Wheelchair Propulsion, Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, Vol. 26, No. 2, Summer 2003.

Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Brienza DM, van Roosmalen L, Koontz AM, LoPresti E, Spaeth DM, Bertocci GE, Guo S, Buning ME, Schmeler M, Geyer MJ, Fitzgerald SG, Ding D, Pittsburgh Wheelchair and Seating Biomechanics Research Program, Journal of the Society of Biomechanisms, Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 144-157, 2003.

DiGiovine CP, Cooper RA, Fitzgerald SG, Boninger ML, Wolf EJ, Guo S, Whole-Body Vibration During Manual Wheelchair Propulsion with Selected Seat Cushions and Back Supports, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 311-322, September 2003.

Rentschler AJ, Cooper RA, Blasch B, Boninger ML, Intelligent Walkers for the Elderly: Performance and Safety Testing of the VA-PAMAID Robotic Walker, Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, Vol. 40, No. 5, pp 423-432, September/October 2003.

Boninger ML, Dicianno BE, Cooper RA, Towers JD, Koontz AM, Souza AL, Shoulder Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities, Wheelchair Propulsion, and Gender, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 84, No. 11, pp. 1615-1620, November 2003.

Corfman TA, Cooper RA, Fitzgerald SG, Cooper R, Tips and Falls During Electric-Powered Wheelchair Driving: Effects of Seatbelt Use, Legrests, and Driving Speed, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 84, No. 12, pp. 1797-1802, December 2003.

DiGiovine CP, Cooper RA, Wolf E, Fitzgerald SG, Boninger ML, Analysis of Whole-Body Vibration During Manual Wheelchair Propulsion: A Comparison of Seat Cushions and Back Supports for Individuals Without a Disability, Assistive Technology, Vol. 15.2, pp. 129-144, Winter 2003.

Guo S, Cooper RA, Corfman TA, Ding D, Grindle GG, Influence of Wheelchair Front Caster Wheel on Reverse Directional Stability, Assistive Technology, Vol. 15.2, pp. 98-104, Winter 2003.

Fitzgerald SG, Arva J, Cooper RA, Dvorznak MJ, Spaeth DM, Boninger ML, A Pilot Study on Community Usage of a Pushrim Activated Power Assist Wheelchair, Assistive Technology Journal, Vol. 15.2, pp. 113-119, Winter 2003.

Ding D, Cooper RA, Kaminski BA, Kanaly JR, Allegretti A, Chaves E, Hubbard S, Integrated Control and Related Technology of Assistive Devices, Assistive Technology, Vol. 15.2, pp. 89-97, Winter 2003.

Cooper RA, Corfman TA, Fitzgerald SG, Boninger ML, Spaeth DM, Ammer W, Arva J, Performance Assessment of a Pushrim Activated Power Assisted Wheelchair Control System, IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp.121-126, January 2002.

Cooper RA, Thorman T, Cooper R, Dvorznak MJ, Fitzgerald SG, Ammer W, Song-Feng G, Boninger ML, Driving Characteristics of Electric Powered Wheelchair Users: How Far, Fast, and Often do People Drive?, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 83, No. 2, pp. 250-255, February, 2002.

Boninger ML, Souza AL, Cooper RA, Fitzgerald SG, Koontz AM, Fay BT, Propulsion Patterns and Pushrim Biomechanics in Manual Wheelchair Propulsion, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, pp. 718-723, Vol. 83, No. 5, May 2002.

Cooper RA, DiGiovine CP, Boninger ML, Shimada SD, Koontz, AM, and Baldwin MA, Filter Frequency Selection for Manual Wheelchair Biomechanics, Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 323-336, May/June 2002.

Cooper RA, Nakahara A, Ster J, Cooper R, Design of an Internal Three Speed Hub for a Manual Wheelchair, Saudi Journal of Disability and Rehabilitation, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 143-147, July-September 2002.

Koontz AM, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Souza AL, Fay BT, Shoulder Kinematics and Kinetics During Two Speeds of Wheelchair Propulsion, Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, Vol. 39, No. 6, pp. 635-650, November/December 2002.

O'Connor TJ, Fitzgerald SG, Cooper RA, Thorman TA, Boninger ML, Kinetic and Physiological Analysis of the GAMEWheels System, Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, Vol. 39, No. 6, pp. 627-634, November/December 2002.

Cooper RA, Spaeth DM, Jones DK, Boninger ML, Fitzgerald SG, Guo S, Technical Note: Comparison of Virtual and Real Electric Powered Wheelchair Driving Using a Position Sensing Joystick and an Isometric Joystick, Medical Engineering and Physics, Vol. 24, No. 10, pp. 703-708, December 2002.

DiGiovine CP, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Dynamic Calibration of Wheelchair Dynamometer, Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 41-55, January/February 2001.

Koontz AM, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, An Autoregressive Modeling Approach to Analyzing Wheelchair Propulsion Forces, Medical Engineering and Physics, pp. 285-291, Vol. 23, No. 4, May 2001.

Dvorznak MJ, Cooper RA, O'Connor TJ, Boninger ML, Fitzgerald SG, Kinematic Comparison of Hybrid II Test Dummy to Wheelchair User, Medical Engineering and Physics, pp. 239-247, Vol. 23, No. 4, May 2001.

O'Connor TJ, Fitzgerald SG, Cooper RA, Thorman TA, Boninger ML, Does Computer Game Play Increase Metabolic Activity during Wheelchair Ergometry, Medical Engineering and Physics, pp. 267-273, Vol. 23, No. 4, May 2001.

Cooper RA, Fitzgerald SG, Boninger ML, Prins K, Rentschler AJ , Arva J, and O'Connor TJ, Evaluation of a Pushrim Activated Power Assisted Wheelchair, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 82, No. 1, pp. 702-708, May 2001.

VanSickle DP, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, DiGiovine CP, Analysis of Vibrations Induced during Wheelchair Propulsion, Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, pp. 409-421, Vol. 38, No. 4, July/August 2001.

Boninger ML, Towers JD, Cooper RA, Dicianno BE, Munin MC, Shoulder Imaging Abnormalities in Individuals with Paraplegia http: // www.vard.org/jour/01/38/4/bonin384.htm, Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, pp. 401-408, Vol. 38, No. 4, July/August 2001.

Cooper RA, Fitzgerald SG, Boninger ML, Brienza DM, Shapcott N, Cooper R, Flood K, Telerehabilitation: Expanding Access to Rehabilitation Expertise, Proceedings of the IEEE, pp. 1174-1191, Vol. 89, No. 8, August 2001.

Shimada SD, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Koontz AM, Comparison of Three Different Methods to Represent the Wrist during Wheelchair Propulsion, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, pp. 274-282, Vol. 9, No. 3, September 2001.

Fitzgerald SG, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Rentschler AJ, Comparison of Fatigue Life for Three Types of Manual Wheelchairs, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, pp. 1484-1488, Vol. 82, No. 10, October 2001.

Cooper RA, Baldini FD, Boninger ML, Cooper R, Physiological Responses to Two Wheelchair Racing Exercise Protocols, Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Vol. 15, No. 3, pp. 191-195, 2001.

Arva J, Fitzgerald SG, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Mechanical Efficiency and User Power Requirement with a Pushrim Activated Power Assisted Wheelchair, Medical Engineering and Physics, Vol. 23, No. 10, pp. 699-705, December 2001.

VanSickle DP, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Road Loads Acting on Manual Wheelchairs, IEEE Transactions on Rehabilitation Engineering, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp 371-384, 2000.

Cooper RA, Rentschler AJ, O'Connor TJ, Ster JF, Technical Note: Wheelchair Armrest Strength Testing, Assistive Technology, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 106-115, 2000.

O'Connor TJ, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Glass L, Evaluation of a Prototype Geared Pushrim Design: Comparison with Standard Manual Pushrim and Analysis of Wheelchair Users' Physiological Data, Saudi Journal of Disability and Rehabilitation, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 114-120, 2000.

Corfman T, Cooper RA, Fitzgerald S, Arva J, Spaeth DM, Boninger ML, Excursion and Stroke Frequency Differences Between Manual Wheelchair Propulsion and Pushrim-Assisted Wheelchair Propulsion, IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine, Vol. 19, No. 6, p. 60, 2000.

DiGiovine CP, Cooper RA, DiGiovine MM, Boninger ML, and Robertson RN, Frequency Analysis of Kinematics of Racing Wheelchair Propulsion, IEEE Transactions in Rehabilitation Engineering, in press,Vol. 8, No. 3, pp 385-393, 2000.

VanSickle DP, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Road Loads Acting on Manual Wheelchairs, IEEE Transactions on Rehabilitation Engineering, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp 371-384, 2000.

Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Encouraging Students with Disabilities to Pursue Careers in Bioengineering, IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine, Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 9-12, 2000.

Cooper RA, Jones DK, Boninger ML, Fitzgerald S, Albright SJ, Analysis of Position and Isometric Joysticks for Powered Wheelchair Driving, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, Vol. 47, No. 7, pp. 902-910, 2000.

Cooper RA, Dvorznak MJ, Rentschler AJ, Boninger ML, Technical Note: Displacement between the Seating Surface and Hybrid Test Dummy during Transitions with a Variable Configuration Wheelchair, Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, Vol. 37, No. 3, pp. 297-303, 2000.

Boninger ML, Baldwin M, Cooper RA, Koontz AM, Chan L, Manual Wheelchair Pushrim Biomechanics and Axle Position, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 81, No. 5, pp. 608-613, 2000.

O'Connor TJ, Cooper RA, Fitzgerald SG, Dvorznak MJ, Boninger ML, Glass L, Evaluation of the GameWheels System for Video Game Play, Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Vol. 14, pp. 21-31, 2000.

DiGiovine MM, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Lawrence BL, VanSickle DP, Rentschler AJ, User Assessment of Manual Wheelchair Ride Comfort and Ergonomics, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 81, No. 4, pp. 490-494, 2000.

Cooper RA, Widman LM, Jones DK, and Robertson RN, Force Sensing Control for Electric Powered Wheelchairs, IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 112-117, 2000.

Courses Recently Taught

Graduate Courses:

HRS 3708 Integrated Controls (Primary Professor)

HRS 2709 Wheelchairs I (Primary professor)

HRS 2706 Rehabilitation Biomechanics (Primary professor)

HRS 2706 Analysis of Adaptations for Physical Impairment (Primary professor)

HRS 2703 Rehabilitation Engineering Design (Primary professor)

HRS 2701 Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology (Wheelchair Lecture and Laboratory)

Recent Working Papers

Cooper RA, Cooper R, Design of an Arm-Powered General Purpose Tricycle for Use by People with Mobility Impairments, Saudi Journal of Disability and Rehabilitation, in press, 2004.

Dvorznak MJ, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Kinematic Analysis for Determination of Bioequivalence of a Modified Hybrid III Test Dummy and a Wheelchair User, Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, in press, 2004.

Pearlman J, Cooper RA, Zipfel E, Cooper R, McCartney M, Towards the Development of an Effective Technology Transfer Model of Wheelchairs to Developing Countries, Disability and Rehabilitation (Special Assistive Technology Issue), in press, 2005.

Koontz AM, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Yang Y, Impink BG, van der Woude LHV, A Kinetic Analysis of Manual Wheelchair Propulsion During Start-Up on Select Indoor and Outdoor Surfaces, Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, in press, 2005.

Fitzgerald SG, Cooper RA, Zipfel E, Puhlman JR, Spaeth DM, Cooper R, Guo S, Kelleher A, The Development and Preliminary Evaluation for a Training Device for Wheelchair Users: The GAMEWheels System, Disability and Rehabilitation (Special Assistive Technology Issue), in press, 2005.

Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Cooper R, Kelleher A, Use of the Independence 3000 IBOT™ Transporter at Home and in the Community: A Case Report, Disability and Rehabilitation (Special Assistive Technology Issue), in press, 2005.

Pearlman JL, Cooper RA, Karnawat J, Cooper R, Boninger ML, Evaluation of the Safety and Durability of Low-Cost Electric Powered Wheelchairs, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, in press, 2005

Biographical Profile

Rory A. Cooper, PhD received the BS and MEng degrees in electrical engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 1985 and 1986, respectively. He received the PhD degree in electrical and computer engineering with a concentration in bioengineering from University of California at Santa Barbara in 1989.

He is FISA & Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) chair and distinguished professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, and professor of bioengineering and mechanical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. He is also a professor in the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health System. Dr. Cooper is director and VA Senior Research Career Scientist of the Center for Wheelchairs and Associated Rehabilitation Engineering, a VA Rehabilitation Research and Development Center of Excellence.

He serves or has served on the editorial board of several prominent peer-reviewed journals in the fields of rehabilitation and bioengineering. Dr. Cooper has been selected for numerous prestigious awards, including the CSUS “President's Award for Research and Creative Activity”(1992), the IEEE-EMBS Early Career Award (1993), LaRoche College “Thanksgiving Tuesday Award” (1998), the Paralyzed Veterans of America “John Farkas Leadership Award”(1997, 1999), the CalPoly 1999 Honored Alumnus for the College of Engineering (1999), Dion Johnson Award for Spinal Cord Research (2000), IEEE-USA Professional Service Award (2001), British Ex-Services Wheelchair Sports Association “Endeavor Award” (2001), RESNA Mentor Award (2002), the VA Olin E. Teague Award (2002), and the VA Paul B. Magnuson Award (2003), Restoration of Human Dignity Award (India, 2004), APS Excellence Award (2004), APS James Peters Lecture Award (2005), Spinal Cord Injury Hall of Fame (2005). Dr. Cooper has authored or co-authored more than 150 peer-reviewed journal publications. He also has six patents awarded or pending. Dr. Cooper is the author of two books (which have been translated into Japanese and Chinese): "Rehabilitation Engineering Applied to Mobility and Manipulation” and “Wheelchair Selection and Configuration”. Dr. Cooper is an elected Fellow of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering. Dr. Cooper has been an invited lecturer at many institutions around the world, and was awarded “Honorary Professor” at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He has also been elected to Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi, and Sigma Xi honorary societies.

Dr. Cooper is President of RESNA, and a member of the RESNA/ANSI and ISO Wheelchair Standards Committees, and IEEE-EMBS Medical Device Standards Committee. He is a Trustee of the Paralyzed Veterans of America Research Foundation, and a member of the steering committee of the Academy of PM&R on research capacity building. In 1988, he was a bronze medalist in the Paralympic Games, Seoul, Republic of Korea. He was on the steering committee for the 1996 Paralympic Scientific Congress held in Atlanta, GA. He was a member of the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Medicare Advisory Committee. Currently he serves as chair on the National Advisory Board on Medical Rehabilitation Research, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and as a member of the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs Prosthetics and Special Disability Programs Advisory Committee.

Awards and Honors

1982 - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (Elected Fellow, 1998) Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Control Systems Society

1988 - Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society North America (RESNA, Elected Fellow, 2002)

1998 - American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (Elected Fellow, 1998)

1997 - American Congress of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

1995 -   Sigma Xi Research Honor Society

1981 - Paralyzed Veterans of America (Life Member)

1972 - National Eagle Scout Association (Life Member)

Honors

Distinguished Honors:

EP Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award (2005)  In appreciation of long-time advocacy for people with disabilities and special  needs.

2004 Best Paper Award Presented by Liberty Mutual & International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics (2005): Koontz AM, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Souza AL, Fay BT, Scapular Range of Motion in a Virtual Wheelchair Push, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 237-248, 2004.

National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) “Hall of Fame”(2005)For significant contributions to quality of life and advancements toward a better future for all individuals with spinal cord injury.

James J. Peters Lecture Award (2005), American Paraplegia Society For demonstrated outstanding contributions to the lives of individuals with spinal cord injuries through research, development, education and advocacy.

Honorary Professorship, XI'An Jiatong University, China (2004-2008)For expert advice to the XI'An Jiatong University as a renowned scholar in rehabilitation engineering.

Excellence Award (2004), American Paraplegia Society For demonstrated outstanding leadership, expertise and a recognized authority in the field of spinal cord health care, research and education.

Restoration of the Dignity of Man Award (2004), Artificial Limbs of India Manufacturing Corporation, Kanpur, India. For Assistance with Improving Efficiency, Production, Quality Assurance and Wheelchair

Best Paper Award (2003): Cooper RA, Wolf EJ, Fitzgerald SG, Dobson A, Ammer WA, Smith DR, Interaction of Wheelchairs and Segmental Pavement Surfaces, PAVE Africa 7th International Conference on Concrete Block Paving, Cape Town, South Africa.

The Cool Engineer of the Month, November, Junior Engineering Technical Society (2003) For Innovating and Inspirational Work in Rehabilitation Engineering

U.S. Department of Veterans Affair, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Paul B. Magnuson Award (2003)For pioneering work in coalescing contemporary knowledge across multiple disciplines and for selfless dedication to building careers of young scientists within the VA Healthcare System.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Olin E. Teague Award (2002) For outstanding achievement in the rehabilitation of war-injured veterans.

Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) Mentor Award (2002) For outstanding and sustained mentorship in rehabilitation engineering and science.

Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) Fellow (2002) For contributions to rehabilitation engineering research, education, and professional leadership.

Best Paper for Research in Multiple Sclerosis (2002): Ambrosio F, Boninger ML, Fay B, Souza A, Fitzgerald SG, Koontz AM, Cooper RA, A Biomechanical Analysis of Wheelchair Propulsion in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis, Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, June 2002.

Dion Johnson Foundation Spinal Cord Injury Research Award (2001) For exemplary contributions to research to benefit people with spinal cord injury

IEEE-USA Professional Leadership Award (2001) For leadership in and contributions to the development of electrotechnical standards

Honorary Professorship, Jockey Club Rehabilitation Engineering Centre (2001-2006)For expert advice to the Hong Kong Polytechnic University as a renowned scholar in rehabilitation engineering, and in particular mobility assistive technology.

RESNA Distinguished Service Award (2000)For longstanding and ongoing participation in ANSI/RESNA Standards Committee and the RESNA Technical Guidelines Committee

California Polytechnic State University College of Engineering 1999 Honored Alumnus (1999) For distinguished leadership in the field of electrical engineering, and for inspiring others to achieve

KPVA John Farkas Leadership Award (1999)For continued excellence in leadership in the areas of bioengineering research and education

LaRoche College Thanksgiving Tuesday Award (1998) In recognition of community service for educating the public about the abilities of people with disabilities, and for encouraging people with disabilities to attain their fullest potential

Allegheny County/City of Pittsburgh Transition Coordinating Council Employer Certificate (1998) In recognition and appreciation of your leadership among business professionals in promoting work experience for students with disabilities

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE ) Fellow  (1998) For outstanding contributions to improving quality and increasing innovation in wheelchair design, and for leadership in rehabilitation engineering education

American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) Fellow (1998) For outstanding contributions to medical and biological engineering

KPVA John Farkas Leadership Award (1997)For continued excellence in leadership in the areas of bioengineering research and education, and the development of wheelchairs for the disabled community

Certificate of Recognition, Federal Employee Disability Program Committee, Federal Executive Board, Pittsburgh (1997)In recognition and appreciation of your leadership in promoting work experience for people with disabilities, and for improving the quality of life of veterans with disabilities

IEEE-EMBS Early Career Achievement Award  (1993)For excellence in research, innovation in education, and dedication to service in the field of rehabilitation engineering

CSUS President's Award for Outstanding Research  (1992)For extraordinary and creative achievement in the areas of funded research, publication and remarkable dedication to teaching and public service

National Wheelchair Athletic Association Service Award  (1990)For improving the performance of US wheelchair athletes in international and Paralympic competition through coach and athlete scientific education and training programs

San Luis ObispoBicentennial Medal and Proclamation of "Wheelchair Athlete Day" by Mayor Melanie Billig of San Luis Obispo, California  (1984)For Contributions to Quality of Life for People with Disabilities in San Luis Obispo through development of sports and recreation programs, and improved awareness of the needs of people with disabilities

KONTAKT Europe High Achievement Award  (1980)For extraordinary contributions to IJV KONTAKT e.V. and the community relations mission of the United States Army Europe and Seventh Army

Editorial Board Member

Assistive Technology (2002-present)

Journal of Spinal Cord Injury (2001-present)

Medical Engineering and Physics (2000-present)

Journal of Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair (1999-present)

Multiple Sclerosis Research Quarterly (1999-present)

Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development (1997-present)

Saudi Arabian Journal of Disability and Rehabilitation (1995-present)

Technology and Disability (1997-2001)

IEEE Transactions on Rehabilitation Engineering (1992-1996, 2004-present)

Team Rehab Report (1996-1999)

Service: Professional Leadership

United States Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services Member, Medicare Advisory Committee (1999-2003)

National Center for Health Statistics, Office of Management and Budget Member, Healthcare Quality Policy Advisory Committee (2001)