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Virginia Commonwealth University
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Biomedical Engineering - VCU Engineering

Faculty and Staff Directory

Dianne T.V. Pawluk, Ph.D.

Dianne T.V. Pawluk, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Phone: (804) 828-9491
Fax: (804) 828-4454
Email: dtpawluk@vcu.edu

Address
Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Engineering
Department of Biomedical Engineering
East Hall, Room E2240
401 West Main Street
P.O. Box 843067
Richmond, Virginia 23284-3067

Education

  • B.S., computer engineering, University of Alberta, 1989
  • M.S., computing and information science, Queen’s University, 1991
  • Ph.D., engineering sciences, Harvard University, 1997

Research Topics

  • Devices and algorithms for assistive technology for individuals who are blind and visually impaired
    • Displaying graphical information
    • Mobility aids
  • Human haptic perceptual organization
  • Minimally invasive surgery training
    • Methods and support aids
    • Realistic physical simulators (mannequins)
  • Issues of reasonable accommodation in the workplace for individuals who are blind and visually impaired
  • The use of haptic feedback in teaching nanotechnology to K-12 students

Classes taught

  • Computational methods in biomedical engineering (EGRB 215)
  • Rehabilitation engineering (assistive technology) (EGRB 420,691)
  • Senior design (EGRB 401/402)

Selected publications

  • Rastogi, R. and Pawluk, D.  Development of an Intuitive Haptic Zooming Algorithm for Graphical Information Accessed by Individuals who are Blind and Visually Impaired.  To appear in Assistive Technology.
  • Rastogi, R. and Pawluk, D.  Intuitive Tactile Diagram Simplification.  To appear in Assistive Technology.
  • Pawluk, D.T.V., Kitada, R. , Abramowicz, A., Hamilton, C. and Lederman, S.L. (2011).  Figure/Ground Segmentation via a Haptic Glance: Attributing Initial Discrete Finger Contacts to Objects or Their Supporting Surfaces.  IEEE Transactions on Haptics, 4 (1), 2-13.
  • Burch, D., and Pawluk, D.  (2011).  Using Multiple Contacts with Texture-Enhanced Graphics.  World Haptics 2011 Conference Proceedings. June 21-24, Istanbul Turkey.
  • Headley, P.C., and Pawluk D.T.V. (2011).  Roughness Perception of Textures on a Haptic Matrix Display.  World Haptics 2011 Conference Proceedings. June 21-24, Istanbul, Turkey.

* underline indicates students