Image: Smiling and playful childImage: Doctor Tom ChauImage: Child playing

Bloorview Research Institute

Scientist Profiles

Name: Elaine Biddiss

Elaine Biddiss

Title:  Scientist

Theme: Innovation & Development

Education:
Ph.D.  Institute of Biomaterial & Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto
M.A.Sc. Mechanical & Industrial Engineering/Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering  (collaborative program), University of Toronto
B.A.Sc.  Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto

University Positions:
Assistant Professor, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto
Associate Member, Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science, University of Toronto

Research Interests:
The design of technologies that (1) enable disabled children to participate more fully in arts, music, and physical activities, and, (2) make healthcare experiences more enjoyable (= more effective) for kids.

Keywords:  Rehabilitation engineering; assistive technologies; human-computer interactions; user centred design; virtual reality therapy; wearable sensors; physiological measurement; emotion recognition; neuroplasticity

Selected Funding:

Title: Active video gaming for activity promotion for children with disabilities
Researchers: E. Biddiss, V. Wright, P. McKeever, T. Chau, D. Fehlings
Agency: Canadian Institutes of Health Research ($154,716, 2010 - 2012)                  

Title: Emotion-aware assistive technologies in rehabilitation and healthcare
Researchers: E. Biddiss
Agency:  Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada ($105,000, 2011-2016)

Title: The Art of Waiting: Evaluation of an interactive media experience in a children's hospital clinic waiting space
Researchers: E. Biddiss, P. McKeever, A. McPherson, T. Chau, D. Fehlings, P. Rigby
Agency:  Canadian Institutes of Health Research ($187,071, 2011 - 2013)                 

Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications:
T. Berry, J. Howcroft, S. Klejman, D. Fehlings, V. Wright, E. Biddiss (INVITED). “Variations in Movement Patterns during Active Video Game Play in Children with Cerebral Palsy.”  Journal of Bioengineering and Biomedical Science. In press.

J. Howcroft, D. Fehlings, K. Zabjek, L. Fay, J. Liang, E. Biddiss. “Wearable Wrist Activity Monitor as an Indicator of Functional Hand Use in Children with Cerebral Palsy.” Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 53(11):1024-9, 2011.

E. Biddiss, P. McKeever, G. Shea. “The Art of Waiting – Interactive displays in healthcare settings.” CHI 2011 workshop Large Displays in Urban Life: from Exhibition Halls to Media Facades. Vancouver, Canada, May, 2011

E. Biddiss, P. McKeever, S. Lindsay, T. Chau.  “Implications of prosthesis funding structures on the experiences of individuals with upper limb absence.” Prosthetics & Orthotics International. 35(2), 215-224, 2011.

E. Biddiss, J. Irwin. "Active video games to promote physical activity in children and youth," Archives for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. 164(7):664-72, 2010.

E. Biddiss, S. Brownsell, M. Hawley. “Prediction of health status in individuals with congestive heart failure using a home-based telecare system,” Journal of Telemedicine and Telehealth. 15, 226–231, 2009.

E. Biddiss and T. Chau. “Multivariate modeling for prediction of prosthesis use or rejection,” Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology.3(4):181-92, 2008.

E. Biddiss and T. Chau. “Dielectric elastomers as actuators for upper limb prosthetics: challenges and opportunities,” Medical Engineering & Physics. 30(4), 403-418, 2008.

E. Biddiss, D. Beaton and T. Chau. “Consumer design priorities for upper limb prosthetics,” Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2(6), 346-357, 2007.

E. Biddiss and T. Chau. “Upper extremity prosthesis use and abandonment: A survey of the last 25 years,” Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 31(3), 236-257, 2007.

E. Biddiss and T. Chau. “Electroactive polymeric sensors in hand prostheses: bending response of an ionic polymer metal composite,” Medical Engineering & Physics, 28(6),568-78,2006.

Web Page: http://individual.utoronto.ca/biddiss/

Contact Information:
Bloorview Research Institute,
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
150 Kilgour Road
Toronto, Ontario M4G 1R8
Tel: 416-425-6220, extension 3505
E-mail: ebiddiss (at) hollandbloorview (dot) ca (see Note below)

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