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.

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

Colin Rubow is a Mechanical Engineering PhD 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 west Provo Utah, he is married to Sidsie Rubow and has two sons Gardner and Euler. Hobbies include piano, organ, chess, literature, and historical mathematics in connection with his YouTube channel MathWorksWorks.

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.

Ana Alvarez Lopez
PhD Student
Email: ana.alvarez@utah.edu

Ana is a Mechanical Engineering PhD student. She graduated with a BS in Industrial Technologies Engineering from the University of Oviedo. During her undergraduate studies, she conducted research in Biomechanics and interned at a Robotics company. Ana is originally from Gijon, Spain and in her free time she enjoys climbing, skiing, surfing and cooking.

Robert Macdonald
PhD Student
Email: robert.macdonald@utah.edu

Robert is a Mechanical Engineering PhD student. He graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University. He is researching linear springs with multiple degrees of freedom as well as surgical neck traction robots. He enjoys his free time cooking, weightlifting, playing sports, reading, and spending time with friends.

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.

Logan Lancaster
Masters Student
Email: logan.lancaster@utah.edu
 

Logan Lancaster is a masters (BS/MS) student at the University of Utah. He is researching using inter-limb, elastic, and wearable devices to correct gait asymmetry in stroke survivors. Logan's hobbies include cycling, playing board games, and playing the guitar.

Adam Reinsch
Masters Student
Email: adam.reinsch@utah.edu
 

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.

Ashley Howell
Undergraduate Student

Ashley Howell is an undergraduate Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Utah. Her areas of interest are product development and design for manufacturing, and her lab work focuses on increasing usability of a cable-actuated robotic neck exoskeleton. Outside of engineering, she enjoys weightlifting, mechanical watches, and mid-century modern chairs.

Teagan Matthews
Undergraduate Student

Teagan Matthews is an undergraduate mechanical engineering student at the University of Utah.  He is interested in robotics and is also minoring in computer science.  Teagan is from West Jordan, Utah. His hobbies include: running, playing the piano, playing board games, and reading.

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.

John Cimarusti, Undergrad Assistant (UROP recipient), 1/2024 - 5/2024.

Taiji Harada, Undergrad Assistant, 5/2024 - 9/2024.