Tulsa-based research expected to transform everyday medicine

-
Posted: Saturday, February 13, 2016 12:00 am | Updated: 7:42 am, Mon Feb 15, 2016.By GINNIE GRAHAM News Columnist | Tulsa World

OU-Tulsa researchers Dr. Hazem Refai (left) and Omar Al Kalaa are leading the way in development of wireless medical devices with assistance from the Tandy Supercomputer at the Oklahoma Innovation Institute. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World

 Imagine a hospital room without wires. A patient could move freely as sensors instantly send information about heart rate, organ functions and hormone levels to the doctor.

Advances in wireless medical devices go beyond a medical facility’s walls.

Parents with a diabetic toddler could check the child’s glucose levels from their smartphones. Patients with chronic illnesses wouldn’t have to stop by offices for vital-sign checkups.

This is a sliver of the research being conducted by the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa’s Telecommunications Engineering program in partnership with the Oklahoma Innovation Institute’s Tandy Supercomputer. This type of innovation originating in Tulsa is expected to be transformative to the medical community.

It’s an optimistic — and inspiring — view of the future when told by Hazem Refai, Williams professor in Telecommunications Networking and Electrical and Computer Engineering at OU-Tulsa. He’s also the director for the Center for Wireless and Elecromagnetic Compliance and Design.

Read more.

Popular posts from this blog

OU Engineering Students Shine in Community Projects

-
Image
At the University of Oklahoma, a transformative course called Pathways to Engineering Thinking is leaving a mark on OU students and the community. In the first-year engineering course, over 800 students across 16 sections collaborated to tackle real-world challenges presented by community partners. Their projects ranged from developing prosthetic limbs for injured animals to creating innovative solutions for community gardens and zoos. The course aims to guide students through the engineering design process, emphasizing collaborative teamwork and problem-solving skills.  This semester’s projects reached many areas of the community. Partnerships with the OU Food Pantry, OU Community Garden, Oklahoma City Zoo, OU Engineering K-12 Outreach, a local dog rescue and the City of Norman provided students with real-world challenges to address. Each team delved into issues presented by the partners, working toward delivering functional design solutions by the semester’s end. The heart of the cou
Read more

OU Students Take on Habitat Challenge: Sooners Without Borders Constructs Ramp, More in Iowa

-
Image
In early January, six students from Sooners Without Borders at the University of Oklahoma headed to Des Moines, Iowa, teaming up with Habitat for Humanity. Their goal: construct an accessibility ramp for a local family. Their mission was part of Habitat’s Collegiate Challenge program, providing year-round volunteer opportunities for college students. The students, all from the Gallogly College of Engineering at OU, embraced the challenge. Formerly Engineers Without Borders, Sooners Without Borders had changed its name to be more inclusive of all majors at OU, says Lisa Morales, the group's staff adviser. “A lot of projects used to focus on clean water and students had the opportunity to travel abroad. Once Covid happened, we had to shift the focus of Sooner Without Borders,” Morales said.  In Des Moines, the project expanded beyond the ramp, involving tasks like installing kitchen cabinets and flooring for a new home. Morales says she was impressed with the student’s adeptness with
Read more

OU Engineering Welcomes 14 New Faculty Members for 2023-24

-
Image
OU Engineering has welcomed 14 new faculty members for the 2023-24 academic year. This marks a milestone in the college's growth journey, with faculty numbers increasing from just over 100 in 2017 to 175 in 2023. OU Engineering is committed to expanding its faculty ranks, aiming for over 200 faculty members by the 2025-26 academic year, says OU Engineering Dean John Klier. To achieve this goal, the college has initiated more than 20 faculty searches. The State of Oklahoma continues to acknowledge the need for more engineers. They recently responded to OU Engineering’s request for additional recurring funding. The funding will play a crucial role in offering undergraduate student tuition waivers, supporting graduate students and helping recruit new faculty and staff. These positions will be phased in over the next three years. "OU Engineering extends its gratitude for the ongoing support from the State of Oklahoma as it continues to address the growing demand for engineers,&quo
Read more