David Feathers
Assistant Professor
2009
DEA

Web Bio Page

Current Activities

Current Professional Activities

Society Membership:
Board / Committee / Technical Group Member:

Reviewer:



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

Current Research Themes:

-  Ergonomics & Rehabilitation Engineering for
   Special Populations:
     - 3D Anthropometry:
       A National Study of Wheeled Mobility Device Users
       Collaborative rehabilitation research with:
       SUNY Buffalo and University of Pittsburgh.

-  Simulation and Human Engineering in Design (SHED) Lab:
     - Physical Interaction Modeling:
          - Evaluation of Pronating-Reducing Mouse Designs
          - Protective Garments for the Upper Extremity
          - Mobility Aids (modeling control and 3D posture)

-  Human Body Measurement for Physical Interaction Design Applications:
     - Applied anatomy for design of products and spaces.
     - Hand measurement for the design of tools and control devices.



Biography

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

Education
Postdoctoral Fellow- Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access
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
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
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
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
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
School of Arts and Sciences
University at Buffalo, State University of New York



Keywords


Courses, Websites, Pubs

Courses Taught

DEA 3520:
Inside-Out Ergonomics I:  Anatomy for Design (Spring)
- Musculoskeletal anatomy as it relates to ergonomic design.
[DEA 3520 Website]

DEA 4520:
Inside-Out Ergonomics II:  Biomechanics and the Built Environment (Fall)
- Musculoskeletal biomechanics as it relates to artifacts and the built environment.
[DEA 4520 Website]

DEA 6760:
Universal Design: Ergonomics and Accessibility (Spring)
- Ergonomic research and development for the universal designing of products and processes.
[DEA 6760 Website]


Selected Publications
Lenker, J., Nasarwanji, M., Paquet, V., Feathers, D. (accepted) A tool for rapid assessment of product usability and universal design: Development and preliminary psychometric testing.  WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation.

Koontz, A., Brindle, E., Kankipati, P., Feathers, D., Cooper, R. (accepted) Design features that impact the maneuverability of wheelchairs and scooters.  Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Steinfeld, E., Maisel, J., Feathers, D., D'Souza, C.  (in press)  Anthropometry and standards for wheeled mobility: An international comparison.  Assistive Technology.

Feathers, D.  (2009) Mitigating anthropometric measurement variation: Applied tolerances for static anthropometric landmark digitization in three-dimensional space.  In:  Proceedings of the 17th World Congress on Ergonomics, International Ergonomics Association.

Brindle, E., Koontz, A., Kankipati, P., Feathers, D. (2009) Factors that effect the drivability of power wheelchairs and scooters.  In: Proceedings of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America 2009 Conference.

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.

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. In: Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America 2007 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).