Anna Rita is currently pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering under the supervision of Dr. Jacqueline Hebert and Dr. Ahmed Shehata. She received a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California Davis (UCD) in 2016 and a M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from UCD in 2023. Anna Rita aims to bring accessible advancements for bionic control with the goal of increased function and comfort for those with affected upper limbs.
During her master’s studies, Anna Rita worked with BEAR lab at UCD. She investigated ways to restore movement perception to individuals with upper limb amputation that have received for Targeted Muscle Reinnervation Surgery for the prevention of neuroma or nerve-related pain (N-TMR). She worked on integrating the sense of missing limb movement elicited through vibration of N-TMR muscles by developing a kinesthetic vibration-feedback device, and she worked with surface electromyography and ultrasound sensors for studying control of advanced mechatronic prostheses with this population.
In her free time, Anna Rita likes to dance and read books.
BLINC Lab 