Open Positions

The Utah Wearable Robotics Laboratory constantly seeks motivated students to contribute to our mission. Please refer to the Opportunities page for more information.

Current Members

Haohan Zhang
Haohan Zhang
Principal Investigator
Email: haohan.zhang@utah.edu

Google Scholar Page

Haohan Zhang is an Assistant Professor with the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah and a Core Faculty in the University of Utah Robotics Center. Prior to joining the U, he was a postdoctoral research scientist in the Robotics and Rehabilitation (ROAR) Laboratory at Columbia University. He received his PhD, MS, and BE degrees from Columbia University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Dalian University of Technology, respectively.

Ian Bales
PhD Student
Email: ian.bales@utah.edu

Ian is a mechanical engineering PhD student at the University of Utah. He graduated with a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois with a minor in mathematics. He is currently working on a novel cable-actuated robotic neck exoskeleton. Ian is originally from Downers Grove, Illinois, and he spends his free time climbing, mountain biking, and snowboarding.

Joey Brignone PhD Student Email: joseph.brignone@utah.edu

Joey recently graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Utah and a minor in Italian. Currently, he is researching granular jamming and its use in wearable robotics. Outside the lab, he enjoys a good volleyball game, rock climbing, and trying new food.

Kimia Khoshnami
Masters Student
Email: kimia.khoshnami@utah.edu

Kimia is a Mechanical Engineering MS student at the University of Utah. She graduated from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) in Iran with a B.S. degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics. Her academic goal is to do interdisciplinary studies and help people with disabilities. She spends free time doing workout, tennis, ski and reading novels.

Colin Rubow
Masters Student
Email: colin.rubow@utah.edu

Colin Rubow is a Mechanical Engineering MS student at the University of Utah. He graduated from BYU with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and minors in mathematics and computer science. Originally from Provo Utah, he is married to Sidsie Rubow and has a baby boy named Gardner. Hobbies include piano, organ, chess, and literature.

Logan Lancaster
Undergraduate Student

Logan Lancaster is an undergraduate student at the University of Utah in his junior year. He was awarded a UROP scholarship by the office of undergraduate research. His research is in the implementation of granular jamming on wearable robots. Logan spends his free time playing board games and playing the guitar.

Taiji Harada
Undergraduate Student

Taiji Harada is an undergraduate mechanical engineering student at the University of Utah.  He is interested in robotics and mechatronics and is also minoring in computer science.  When not focused on academics, he likes to do outdoor activities, work on small projects, and play games with friends and family.

Adam Reinsch
Masters Student

Adam Reinsch is a master’s student at the University of Utah. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a BS of mechanical engineering and a minor in business. His current project is creating manipulators for cable driven neck traction devices. He is originally from Lincoln, Nebraska and outside of engineering he enjoys reading, playing the piano and being an uncle to his nieces and nephews.

Graduates

David Demaree, Master Thesis, 8/2021 - 8/2023.

Emma Pinegar, Graduate research assistant, MS non-thesis, 1/2022 - 8/2022

Insa Norcross, Undergraduate Assistant (UROP recipient), Spring 2022.

Jake Hirst, Undergraduate Assistant (UROP and SPUR recipient), Spring and Summer 2022.

Gonzalo Tello, Undergraduate Assistant (OUR Small grant recipient), Summer 2022

Tristan Archuleta, Undergraduate Assistant (OUR small grant recipient), Spring 2023.

Zach Olsen, Undergraduate Assistant (SPUR recipient), Summer 2023.

Kin Blandford, Undergraduate Assistant (UROP recipient), Summer 2023.

Jose Tello, Undergraduate Assistant (PIVOT Ascender Grant recipient), Summer 2023.