David Feathers
Assistant Professor
2008
DEA

Web Bio Page

Current Activities

Current Professional Activities
Member / Board Member / Committee Member:

Reviewer:



Current Research Activities
Dave Feathers has research interests in the areas of human performance and behavior, health and well-being, quantifying the human form for design, and relating tenets of accessibility to environmental barriers from a human factors perspective.

Current Research Themes:

-  Ergonomics & Environmental Interaction for Special Populations:
     - 3D Anthropometry: A National Study of Wheeled Mobility Device Users
       Collaborative research with SUNY Buffalo and University of Pittsburgh.
     - Design of Protective Garments for Wheelchair Users
       Research and development project with a New York State company.
       Please see the following web page for more information:
       http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Jan09/jumpstart.ws.html

-  Simulation and Human Engineering in Design (SHED) Lab:
     - Research begins at the newly formed Cornell SHED Laboratory.
       This lab is co-directed by:
           - Dr. Susan Ashdown (Cornell, Helen G. Canoyer Professor, FSAD)
           - Dr. Alan Hedge (Cornell, Professor, DEA)
           - Dr. David Feathers (Cornell, Assistant Professor, DEA)

-  Human Body Measurement for Design Applications:
     - Hand measurement applied to the design of tools and control devices.
     - Whole body measurement and biomechanical analysis for mobility aids.



Biography

Biographical Statement
Dave Feathers is an assistant professor with a background in engineering and anthropology. His research and teaching focus on human factors and ergonomics, universal design, digital human modeling, and understanding human interaction within the built environment for special populations.

Education
Postdoctoral Fellow- Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (2006-2008)
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Universal Design at Buffalo
School of Architecture and Planning
University at Buffalo, State University of New York
Advisor: Edward Steinfeld, Arch. D.

Ph.D.  - Industrial and Systems Engineering (2006)
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
University at Buffalo, State University of New York
Dissertation: Electromechanical Measurement of the Upper Extremity
Advisor: Victor L. Paquet, Sc.D.

Advanced Graduate Certificate - Assistive and Rehabilitative Technology (2004)
School of Public Health and Health Professions
University at Buffalo, State University of New York
Advisor: James Lenker, Ph.D., OTR/L

M.S. Industrial Engineering (2002)
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
University at Buffalo, State University of New York
Thesis: Anthropometrics and Error
Advisor: Victor L. Paquet, Sc.D.

M.A. Anthropology (1999)
School of Arts and Sciences
University at Buffalo, State University of New York
Thesis: Macaca Spinal Biomechanics (M. fascicularis and M. mulatta)
Advisor: A.T. Steegmann, Ph.D.

B.A. Anthropology (1997)
School of Arts and Sciences
University at Buffalo, State University of New York



Courses, Websites, Pubs

Courses Taught
DEA 6760: Universal Design: Ergonomics and Accessibility (Spring 2009)



Selected Publications
Lenker, J., Paquet, V., Feathers, D., Nasarwanji, M. (2008) Usability of consumer products used in the home for adult wheelchair users.  In: Proceedings of the Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics International Conference. (to appear).

Drury, C., Koontz, A., Feathers, D., Kankipati. P., Paquet, V., Lin, J. (2008) Controllability of manual and power wheelchairs for spinal cord injury users. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 52nd Annual Meeting. (pp. 714-718).

Feathers, D., Steinfeld, E. (2008) Subjective ratings of accessibility using full-scale bathroom environments. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 52nd Annual Meeting. (pp. 723-727).

Nasarwanji, M., Paquet, V., Feathers, D., Lenker, J. (2008) Usability study of a powered lift for wheelchair users. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 52nd Annual Meeting. (pp. 719-722).

D'Souza, C., Feathers, D., Paquet, V. (2007). Developing and modeling three-dimensional digital models of individuals and their wheeled mobility device. In: Digital Human Modeling for Design and Engineering Symposium. 2007-DHM-53. SAE International.

Feathers, D. (2007). Towards inclusive housing (II): Applied research and universal design. Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America Conference.

Feathers, D., Paquet, V. (2006). Three-dimensional variability of static anthropometric dimensions: Considering anatomy, behavior and process. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 50th Annual Meeting (pp. 1380-1383).

Steinfeld, E., Feathers, D. (2006). Space Requirements for Aging Wheeled Mobility Users. In: International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence Conference.

Steinfeld, E., Maisel, J., Feathers, D. (2006). Wheeled mobility space requirements and maneuvering: An International Comparison of Standards and Research. In: Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America Conference.

Feathers, D. (2005). Digital human modeling and measurement considerations for wheeled mobility device users. In: SAE 2004 Transactions, Journal of Aerospace, Vol. 113-1. SAE International.

Steinfeld, E., Maisel, J., Feathers, D. (2005). Standards and Anthropometry for Wheeled Mobility. U.S. Access Board, Washington, D.C. Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access, Buffalo, New York.

Feathers, D., Paquet, V., and Drury C. (2004). Measurement consistency and three-dimensional electromechanical anthropometry. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 33(3), 181–190.

Paquet, V., Feathers, D. (2004). An anthropometric study of manual and powered wheelchair users. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 33(3), 191 - 204.

Paquet, V., Feathers, D. (2004). Anthropometry. In: W. Bainbridge (Ed.), Berkshire Encyclopedia of Human-Computer Interaction (pp. 26-31). Great Barrington, MA: Berkshire Publishing Group.

Feathers, D. (2004). Digital human modeling and measurement considerations for wheeled mobility device users. In: Digital Human Modeling for Design and Engineering Symposium. 2004-01-2135. SAE International.

Steinfeld, E., Paquet, V., Feathers, D. (2004). Space requirements for wheeled mobility devices. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 48th Annual Meeting.

Feathers, D. (2002). Optimization of surface anatomy for biomechanical and kinematic considerations. In: Third Inter-University Workshop on Human Factors and Ergonomics.

Feathers, D., Paquet, V. and Drury, C. (2002). Effects of automation of measurement error and consistency in anthropometry. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 46th Annual Meeting (pp. 1215-1219).

Feathers, D., Paquet, V., Polzin, J. (2002). Reliability of structural anthropometric measurements with traditional and semi-automated approaches. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 46th Annual Meeting.

Feathers, D., Polzin, J., Paquet, V., Lenker, J. and Steinfeld, E. (2001). Comparison of traditional and electromechanical approaches for structural anthropometric data collection. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 45th Annual Meeting (pp. 1036-1039).

Paquet, V., Feathers, D. and Lenker, J. (2001). Three-dimensional measurements, semi-standardized postures and clothing: structural anthropometric methods for persons with disabilities. In: Proceedings of Anthropometrics of Disability: An International Workshop, (8-1)-(8-9).