Rory A. Cooper, PhD, PLY is a National Medal Laureate and prominent bioengineer, inventor, author, and advocate specializing in rehabilitation engineering and assistive technologies. He’s the FISA Foundation –Paralyzed Veterans of America Distinguished Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, serving jointly in Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering, and Orthopedic Surgery, and directs the Pitt and VA collaborative Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL). As RERC Director, he leads efforts in Physical Access and Transportation for People with Disabilities, focusing on innovative wheelchair design, robotic devices, and inclusive vehicle and airline boarding solutions.
- B.S. and M.Eng, Electrical Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 1985 & 1986, respectively
- PhD, Electrical & Computer Engineering (concentration in bioengineering), University of California, Santa Barbara, 1989
Education & Training
Dr. Cooper's publications are indexed on PubMed
Wheelchair engineering; Wearable & robotic assistive technology; Smart accessibility systems. His work is grounded in participatory design with individuals with disabilities, aiming to bridge STEM and health sciences to drive high-impact, interdisciplinary innovation.