MAKE+ Events

Mona Alkhudair is a PhD student at UBC, School of Rehabilitation Sciences. She has 3D printing expertise. She obtained her MSc in post-professional occupational therapy from the University of Alberta. And a BSc in occupational therapy from King Saud University. Regarding her career, she works as a lecturer in occupatinal therapy department at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Borisoff focuses his research on how technology development can improve accessibility and mobility for people with SCI. One focus of his work is on expanding patients’ ability to interact more fully with others, the environment, and their world. This includes dynamic wheeled mobility, the ability to change your position in a wheelchair to suit different daily activities. Rehabilitation Engineering Design looks at how people use devices in real life and, from these observations, designs better versions of the devices. In the long term, Dr. Borisoff wants to merge current models with newer technologies like robotics and exoskeletons in order to increase the ways in which technology can improve the lives of people with SCI.

Dr. Borisoff is the former Canadian Research Chair in Rehabilitation Engineering Design at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and the Biomedical Engineering Program, both at the University of British Columbia, as well as a Principal Investigator at ICORD.

Adam Clare is a Full Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He currently holds the Royal Academy of Engineering/Rolls-Royce Research Chair which is built on over 10 years of collaborative research which has transitioned numerous outcomes of fundamental research into industrial application. He has over 10 patents with companies including Rolls-Royce and Siemens. He has published over 190 publications in peer-reviewed, internationally recognized journals. In addition research from his laboratory has formed two spin out companies which has received over $3 Million in private backing. Furthermore, both Scintam and Texture Jet are managed by former PhD students of Clare’s lab.

Adam’s research expertise extends across the physics of manufacturing technologies and exploiting these in new ways for commercial advantage. He has researched widely in energy beam processes involving laser, plasmas and electron beams. Following his PhD in Additive Manufacturing he has continued to make extensive contributions to the field for over 15 years.

As founder of Operation Namaste and Mountain Orthotic and Prosthetic Services, Jeff has devoted years to improving prosthetic care around the world, especially in LMICs and conflict zones.  He is a well known innovator of digital technology for prosthetic care: especially 3D printing.  Currently, Jeff is working on a system of making silicone prosthetic liners in LMICs with local labor and a mobile prosthetic lab which is 3D printing based.

Jeff is educated as a Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist and has three offices in Northern New York. He is a member of the AOPA National Assembly Planning Committee and chair of the Digital O&P Committee and Socket Guidance Workgroup.

Jeff believes that the future of O&P care is a combination of traditional techniques and modern digital technology and has devoted his life to assisting with this merger.

Christopher Hovorka, EACE Musculoskeletal Trauma Care Research Established Scientist Fellow, Brooke Army Medical Center/Center for the Intrepid, San Antonio, Texas, USA.

Dr. Christopher Hovorka, completed Bachelor’s degrees in Exercise Science (University of New Mexico) and Prosthetics and Orthotics (University of Washington), clinical residencies in Orthotics (Southern Illinois University School of Medicine) and Prosthetics (Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, formerly Newington Children’s Hospital), a Master’s degree in Allied Health Science (University of Connecticut) and PhD in Applied Physiology with focus in Biomechanics and Neuromotor Control (Georgia Tech). He held multiple faculty appointments at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, St. Ambrose University, Georgia Tech, University of Pittsburgh, East Tennessee State University and Midwestern University. He has received continuous research grant funding for over 20 years, in areas ranging from cognitive learning and curriculum development to the biomechanics and clinical outcomes of persons using lower limb prostheses, orthoses and footwear. He also developed innovative and responsive educational programs at several universities including the nation’s first accredited entry-level master’s degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) at Georgia Tech. Creation of that program sparked a national reassessment of the entry-level standards in O&P, and eventually adoption of the master’s degree as the entry-level standard for O&P in the United States.  Currently, he is an Established Scientist Fellow at Brooke Army Medical Center/Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio, Texas.

Kelly Knights serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Victoria Hand Project (VHP), a Canadian charity dedicated to designing and providing 3D printed prosthetic arms to amputees in-need worldwide. VHP partners with prosthetic clinics and hospitals, equipping them with cutting-edge technology and training to construct these prosthetic arms end-to-end within their own communities. By combining 3D scanning, 3D printing, and traditional techniques, VHP seeks to ensure that underserved populations have access to functional prosthetic care. Kelly plays a vital role in human factors testing, designing for 3D printing, facilitating communication among clinicians, software developers, and engineers, and ensuring seamless integration of VHP’s technology with the diverse needs of the amputee community.

In addition to her COO responsibilities, Kelly leads VHP’s marketing efforts and actively contributes to fundraising, volunteer coordination, grant-writing, research and development, and support for international partners. Her involvement with Victoria Hand Project since 2016 has allowed her to gain invaluable experience and expertise. In July 2023, she returned from a trip to Ukraine, where two new VHP partner clinics were opened with a goal of serving Ukrainians who have lost limbs in the war.

Kelly holds a B.Eng in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Victoria and is registered as an Engineer-In-Training with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC).

Through her contributions, Kelly ensures that VHP’s initiatives are impactful and sustainable. She works tirelessly to bridge the gap between technology and the human aspect of prosthetic care, empowering amputees to regain independence and improve their quality of life.

Chad Leaman is the Director of Innovation for the Neil Squire Society, which uses “technology, knowledge and passion to empower Canadians with disabilities.” Over his nearly 20 year career there, he has developed many new programs, partnerships and funding streams, including the Makers Making Change program. Makers Making Change hosts a library of open-source assistive technology devices (Open AT), and connects people with disabilities to volunteers that can fabricate these devices.  Chad Leaman also volunteers in other initiatives to help bridge the digital divide. This has included volunteering with NetSquared Vancouver, hosting free technology and strategy workshops for non-profits to further their mission; is past Chair of the Board of Directors for BC Technology for Learning Society, which refurbishes over 8,000 computers a year for schools, non-profits and other at-need populations in BC; and is currently Chair of the Stoney Creek Community Council, supporting life long education in Burnaby.  Chad holds a BA in English and Computer Science from Simon Fraser University as well as certificates in Instructional Technology in Adult Education, Project Management, and is a Certified Association Executive.

Johanne Mattie is a bio-medical engineer with over 30 years of experience related to the research and development of assistive technology and healthcare solutions. She has been involved in a number of projects involving 3d printing including orthoses for infants with plagiocephaly, a soft prosthetic hand, prostheses and covers for trans-tibial amputees, and adapted exercise equipment.

Duc Nguyen is a distinguished engineer and researcher specializing in medical engineering and prosthetic devices. Since 2020, he has been employed at the prestigious Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation in Stuttgart, where he plays a pivotal role in evaluating body-worn devices such as orthoses and prostheses. His work focuses on enhancing the performance and usability of these devices, ultimately improving the quality of life for individuals who rely on them.

In addition to his role at the Fraunhofer Institute, Duc is internationally active in the ISO-Committee ISO/TC 168 for Prosthetics and Orthotics. This committee is dedicated to standardization in the field of prosthetics and orthotics, covering vital aspects such as performance, safety, environmental factors, and interchangeability. Duc’s involvement in this committee showcases his commitment to ensuring that the industry adheres to the highest standards, fostering innovation and reliability in the development and application of prosthetic and orthotic devices.

With his hands-on experience, and active engagement in international standardization efforts, Duc Nguyen aims at pushing the boundaries of technology and improve the lives of individuals with limb loss.. His presentations not only provide valuable insights into the design and evaluation of body-worn devices but also shed light on the importance of standardization in ensuring optimal performance and safety.

Brittany is a Certified Prosthetist and the Director of Clinical Research Barber Prosthetics Clinic. Some of her research projects include understanding factors that influence prosthesis use, the integration and evaluation of outcome measures in clinical care, the development of new upper extremity technology and the evaluation of new manufacturing methods. She is also very involved in the wider prosthetics community, sitting on committees with both Orthotics and Prosthetics Canada and the American Academy for Orthotics & Prosthetics and volunteering on the board for the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics International Canada. When not at work, Brittany can be found working in her vegetable garden, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, or doing pretty much anything else that gets her outside with her husband and kids.

Dr Silvia Raschke, PhD, is an applied researcher with the British Columbia Institute of Technology MAKE+ group.  She specializes in evaluation and product development projects in rehabilitation engineering with a focus on prosthetics and orthotics.  In 2013 she and collaborator, Dr. Michael Orendurff, PhD won the Thranhardt Prize for their paper: “Can You Tell Which Foot is Which?”, the first double blind prosthetic foot evaluation that included community ambulation. She has co-supervised a range of international capstone and graduate student projects on the topic of 3D printed prosthetic socket design and evaluation. Her project work covers a diverse range of projects, including orthotic aspects of exoskeleton design, veterinary assistive devices, curriculum development and supporting CAC accreditation for Audeamus Services Dogs.  She is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Prosthetics and Orthotics Journal, Chair of the US Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development (RR&D) Subcommittee on Rehabilitation Engineering and Prosthetics/Orthotics and has recently joined the Midwestern University Orthotics and Prosthetics Program Advisory Board (Glendale, AZ)

Dr. Urs Schneider is director of the medical and biotech section at Fraunhofer IPA in Stuttgart and his own highly interdisciplinary Biomechatronics department. He also serves as head of the Human Technology Interaction department at IFF, University of Stuttgart and teaches medical device mechatronics at Stuttgart University.

With more than 20 years of mechatronics engineering experience and a doctorate degree from Heidelberg University he is specialized on mechanical and mechatronic human machine interfaces in orthopedics, prosthetics and orthotics and human ergonomic and safety aspects. The research in powered prosthetics led over to powered upper limb orthotics and from there to powered upper limb exoskeleton research in occupational health.

Urs Schneider has served in a variety of leadership roles in prosthetics & orthotics and rehabilitation research committees in Europe and US. More information is available at http://www.ipa.fraunhofer.de.

Brad Zdanivsky is a avid rock climber who co-developed technology solutions that allowed him to continue climbing after becoming a quadriplegic at age 18.   Brad harnesses 3D printing to create assistive technology solutions for himself and collaborates with researchers in advancing technology enabled options for persons with disability.