Arun Jayaraman, PT, PhD

Arun Jayaraman, PT, PhD

Executive Director, Technology & Innovation Hub (tiHUB); Director, Max Näder Center for Rehabilitation Technologies & Outcomes Research

My Lab

Max Näder Center for Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcomes Research

We develop and execute industry-sponsored research in prosthetics, orthotics, rehabilitation robotics, and adaptive technologies.

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@jarun51

About Me

Arun Jayaraman, PT, PhD, is an internationally recognized expert on sensors, exoskeletons, robotics and other emerging rehabilitation technologies. As Executive Director, Technology & Innovation Hub (tiHUB), he collaborates with commercial and academic partners for research collaboration, technology development and clinical outcome evaluation. He also leverages valuable industry and research expertise to accelerate Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s clinical adoption of next-generation rehabilitation technologies.

Since joining Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in 2008, Dr. Jayaraman also has served as Director of the Max Näder Lab for Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcomes Research, which conducts outcomes-based research on rehabilitation technologies such as prostheses, orthoses, rehabilitation robotics and other adaptive technologies. In addition to his work at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, he is Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Medical Social Sciences, and Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Dr. Jayaraman’s work has been published in more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, and has been funded by myriad leading organizations, including the U.S. Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation. He also holds various external leadership positions, serving as Director of Global Outreach for the Wearable Robotics Association and editorial Board Member for the International Journal of Stroke. Dr. Jayaraman also is involved with the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association, the Society for Neuroscience and the American Physical Therapy Association.

Dr. Jayaraman holds a BS in Physical Therapy from SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre in Chennai, India; an MS in Physical Therapy from Georgia State University; and a PhD in Rehabilitation Medicine from the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Location

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

355 East Erie, Suite 11-1401

Chicago, IL 60611

Education & Training

    Education

    Credential

    1996 - 2000
    BS Physical Therapy, SRM Medical University, Chennai, India
    2001 - 2003
    MS Physical Therapy, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
    2003 - 2008
    PhD Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fl
    Fellowship

    Credential

    2008 - 2010
    Rehabilitation Robotics & Neurophysiology, Northwestern University / Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

Recent Publications

Automating sleep stage classification using wireless, wearable sensors.
Boe AJ, McGee Koch LL, O'Brien MK, Shawen N, Rogers JA, Lieber RL, Reid KJ, Zee PC, Jayaraman A
NPJ digital medicine
doi: 10.1038/s41746-019-0210-1
Augmenting Clinical Outcome Measures of Gait and Balance with a Single Inertial Sensor in Age-Ranged Healthy Adults.
O'Brien MK, Hidalgo-Araya MD, Mummidisetty CK, Vallery H, Ghaffari R, Rogers JA, Lieber R, Jayaraman A
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
doi: 10.3390/s19204537
Wearable airbag technology and machine learned models to mitigate falls after stroke.
Botonis OK, Harari Y, Embry KR, Mummidisetty CK, Riopelle D, Giffhorn M, Albert MV, Heike V, Jayaraman A
Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation
doi: 10.1186/s12984-022-01040-4

Honors & Awards

  • Outstanding Young Alumni Award
    University of Florida, 2016 & 2017
  • RIC Magnuson Management Award Nominee
    Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 2015
  • Henry B. Betts Innovation Award
    Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 2012
  • Sarah Baskin Award for Excellence in Research
    Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 2011 - 2013
  • Fritz Krauth Memorial Award
    Paralyzed Veterans of America, 2008
  • President's Certificate of Excellence (4.00 GPA)
    University of Florida, 2004 - 2008
  • Fredrick Family Scholarship for Excellence in Teaching & Research
    University of Florida, 2005
  • Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
    University of Florida, 2004 - 2005
  • Sigma Phi Academic Achievement Award
    Georgia State University, 2001 - 2003
  • SRM Academic Achievement Award
    SRM Medical University, 1997 - 2000
  • UNICEF Youth of the Town Award
    1996
  • Ellen Black Scholarship for Excellence in Teaching & Research
    2005

Professional Affiliations

  • Member
    American College of Sports Medicine, 2003 - Present
  • Member
    American Physical Therapy Association, 2004 - Present
  • Member
    American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, 2010 - Present
  • Member
    American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, 2010 - Present
  • Member
    International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics, 2012 - Present
  • Member
    American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2012 - Present
  • Member
    Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), 2012 - Present
  • Member
    International Society for Prosthetics & Orthotics, 2012 - Present
  • Founding Member
    River Forest Kiwanis Club, 2014 - Present
  • Member
    American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine , 2014 - Present
  • Director of Global Outreach
    Wearable Robotics Organization, 2015 - Present
  • Organizational Chair
    WeRob Conference, 2016 - Present
  • Organizational Chair, ICORR, RehabWeek
    2019 - Present

Research Interests

  • Clinical Outcomes Research in Rehabilitation Robotics, Prosthetics, and Orthotics
  • Wearable Sensing Research in Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Home Monitoring Research for People with Disabilities
  • Clinical Trials in Rehabilitation Technology
  • Quantitative Outcome Measures

Current Grant Support

  • Max Näder Center Grant
    Conducting rehabilitation technologies outcomes research to develop and execute both investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored research in prosthetics, rehabilitation robotics, and other adaptive technologies. Role: Principal Investigator, 2015 - 2020
  • NIH R44 Fast-Track Omnibus
    Environmental Imaging and Control for Exoskeletons to Improve Safety and Mobility. Role: Co-Principal Investigator, 2016 - 2020
  • NIDILRR SCI Midwest Regional Model Systems
    2016 - 2021
  • NIH R01
    Development of a Modular Soft Exosuit Platform Suitable for Community-Based Neurorehabilitation. Role: Co-Investigator, 2017 - 2022
  • AbilityLab Research Foundation
    High-resolution in-patient stroke monitoring using flexible wearable sensors. Role: Principal Investigator, 2017 - 2022
  • NIDILRR Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems
    A Multi-Center Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Intermittent Hypoxia Therapy in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury. Role: Co-Investigator, 2017 - 2022
  • Department of Defense
    Personalized Mobility Interventions Using Smart Sensor Resources for Lower Limb Prostheses Users. Role: Principal Investigator, 2018 - 2023
  • Julius N Frankel Foundation
    Locomotor function following transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation in individuals with chronic hemiplegic stroke. Role: Co-Principal Investigator, 2018 - 2021
  • B-Temia
    Open-Label, Prospective, Single Arm Study Assessing the Safety of a Powered Dermoskeleton (Keeogo™) in Providing Abmulation Assistance During Rehabilitative Mobility Training in Stroke Patients. Role: Principal Investigator, 2018 - 2020
  • NIDILRR Technology to Evaluate and Advance Manipulation and Mobility (TEAMM)
    Wearable airbag technology to mitigate falls in individuals with stroke & Robotic exoskeleton to improve mobility function in children with CP. Role: Center Grant Co-Investigator, 2018 - 2023
  • NIDILRR RERC: Collaborative Machines Enhancing Therapies (COMET)
    User-specific variable assistance and resistance to improve functional mobility using soft exosuit in acute inpatient stroke rehabilitation. Role: Center Grant Co-Investigator, 2018 - 2023
  • Michael J. Fox Foundation
    Using smartwatch data to estimate MDS-UPDRS in the clinic. Role: Principal Investigator, 2018 - 2020
  • Samsung Corporation
    Effect on Functional Walking Ability Following Gait, Balance, and Functional Mobility Training Using the Gait Enhancing and Motivating System - Hip (GEMS-H) in sub-acute and chronic stroke. Role: Principal Investigator, 2019 - 2020
  • Michael J. Fox Foundation
    Using smartwatch and video camera data to estimate MDS-UPDRS at home and in the community. Role: Principal Investigator, 2019 - 2021
  • Ottobock
    Impact of C-Brace on functional outcomes in individuals with spinal cord injury compared to standard of care. Role: Principal Investigator, 2019 - 2022
  • MEDRhythms Corporation
    Post-stroke walking speed and community ambulation conversion, a pivotal study (clinical trial). Role: Site Principal Investigator, 2019 - 2020
  • NIDILRR RERC
    Sensor-based technologies to measure impairment after stroke. Role: Co-Principal Investigator, 2019 - 2024
  • Abbvie Inc.
    A pilot study investigation to test validity and to identify the optimal parameters for upper extremity surface EMG using MC10 Biostamp sensors in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury. Role: Principal Investigator, 2020
  • Honda R&D
    Safety and Usability Assessment of the Honda Walking Assist Device (HWA) for Personal Use in Home and Community Environments. Role: Principal Investigator, 2020 - 2021
  • NIH R01
    Sleep of in-patients: Empowering Staff to Act (SIESTA) for Acute Stroke Rehabilitation. Role: Co-Principal Investigator, 2020 - 2024
  • Ryan Family Foundation
    Early Detection and Therapeutic Improvement of Atypical Motor Behavior in Children. Role: Co-Investigator, 2020 - 2024
  • NIH R01
    The STRONG Study (The Stroke, sTress, RehabilitatiON, and Genetics Study). Role: Co-Investigator

Work History

  • 2018 - Present
    Director & Business Development Officer, Office of Translational Research
  • 2010 - present
    Director, Max Näder Lab for Rehabilitation Technologies & Outcomes Research
  • 2010 - 2016
    Assistant Professor Depts. of PM&R, PT&HMS, MSS Northwestern University, IL
  • 2016 - Present
    Associate Professor Depts. of PM&R, PT&HMS, MSS Northwestern University, IL
  • 2010 - Present
    Research Scientist, Center for Bionic Medicine