Rory Cooper, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor at the University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Rory Cooper is a Distinguished Professor at the University of Pittsburg, as well as Senior Research Career Scientist and Director at the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ Human Engineering Research Laboratories. Since his spinal cord injury over 30 years ago, Dr. Cooper has dedicated his life to improving the lives of people with disabilities; his research initiatives and innovations have spawned companies, additional research and development projects, and served as models for initiatives across the world to further the education, employment, and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities. He has integrated research through clinical practice guidelines and innovative technologies aimed at delivering quality medical rehabilitative care and improving levels of function and independence of persons and Veterans with disabilities. His devices (e.g., Natural Fit Handrim, GameCycle) are used by over one-quarter million people with disabilities, and research equipment he designed (e.g., SMARTWheel, Wheelchair Data-Logger) is being used in nearly 100 laboratories and training facilities around the world.