Flinders University
Mr David Hobbs
Mr
David
Hobbs
Flinders University
http://www.flinders.edu.au/people/david.hobbs
Mr David Hobbs
| Position/s: | Associate Lecturer/PhD Candidate School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics |
| Phone: | +61 8 82013167 |
| Email: | david.hobbs@flinders.edu.au |
| Location: | Engineering (459) |
| Postal address: | GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia |
Biography
David has extensive experience in the field of Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology, having worked at Novita Children's Services as a Senior Rehabilitation Engineer for 9 years (2001-2010), with a focus on research and development, technology transfer and national/international Standards Testing of rehabilitation products. David's research interests include Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), mechanisms for inducing neuroplasticity, particularly in children with cerebral palsy (CP), and computer gaming for rehabilitation purposes.
David is passionate about science communication and regularly gives presentations through the "Speakers in Schools" program to highlight the role engineers play within the community. He is also passionate about International Development and through Engineers Without Borders has initiated a series of on-going and sustainable projects in Cambodia since 2004 and served on the National Board from 2004-2007.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science (Physics), Flinders University, 1992-1994
Bachelor of Science (Life Sciences) / Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical) (Hons I), Flinders University, 1996 - 2000
Executive Diploma in Business Planning, Enterprise Development Institute, 2001
Accredited National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) Test Engineer (signatory status) - 2002
Honours, awards and grants
Engineer Australia's "Flinders University" Medal (2000)
The Entrepreneurial Award, a Scholarship to undertake the "South Australian Enterprise Workshop" (2001)
Churchill Fellowship in Rehabilitation Engineering (2003)
Engineers Australia's "Young Professional Engineer of the Year" Award (2004)
Engineers Australia's "Top 100 Most Influential Engineers", in the 'Young Engineers Top 10 Newcomers' category (2005)
ABC-Australian Academy of Science Media Fellowship (2005)
South Australian "Top 50 Rising Stars" list (2007)
Fulbright Professional Scholarship in FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) and cerebral palsy (2008)
3 Minute Thesis (3MT) - Flinders University Winner (2011)
Co-Associate Investigator with Dr Pammi Raghavendra and Ms Sonya Murchland (Novita Children's Services), Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation grant: Making music through movement: The efficacy of the Virtual Music Instrument (VMI) for developing early communicative and play behaviours in children with severe and multiple disabilities. (2008: $48,000 and 2009: $41,000).
Co-Associate Investigator with Dr James Rice (Women's and Children's Hospital), Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation grant: Electrical stimulation in botulinum toxin A use in children with cerebral palsy: a randomised trial. (2009: $50,000 and 2010: $40,000).
Russo, R., Hobbs, D., Hillier, S. and Reynolds, K., The Women's and Children's Hospital Foundation grant: Assessing the prevalence of tactile sensory agnosia in the hands of children with cerebral palsy. (2012: $45,342).
Teaching
Research and consultancy
Research interests
Functional Electrical Simulation (FES) and mechanisms for inducing neurplasticity
Rehabilitation Engineering, Assistive Technology and cerebral palsy related research
Universal Design
Technology Transfer
Postgraduate research supervision
Mr Majed Mohammed S Al Dwehi (Master of Engineering (Biomedical)): 2010-2011
Mrs Mai Nassier (Master of Information Technology): 2011
Mr Hamza Khaliq (Bachelor of Engineering (Software), Hons): 2011
Publications
Book chapters
Chau, T., Memarian, N., Leung, B., Treherne, D., Hobbs, D.A., Worthington-Eyre, B., Lamont, A., & Pla-Mobarak, M., 2012. Home-Based Computer Vision Access Technologies for Individuals with Severe Motor Impairments. In Handbook of Ambient Assisted Living - Technology for Healthcare, Rehabilitation and Well-being. Netherlands: IOS Press BV, pp. 581-597.
Refereed journal articles
Hobbs, D.A., Close, J.K., Downing, A., Reynolds, K.J., & Walker, L.T., 2009. Developing a national research and development centre in assistive technologies for independent living. Australian Health Review, 33(1), 152-160.
Nguyen, T., Garrett, R., Downing, A.R., Walker, L.T., & Hobbs, D.A., 2008. An interfacing system that enables speech generating device users to independently access and use a mobile phone. Technology and Disability, 20(3), 225-239.
Nguyen, T., Garrett, R., Downing, A.R., Walker, L.T., & Hobbs, D.A., 2007. Research into telecommunications options for people with physical disabilities. Assistive Technology, 19(2), 78-93.
Nguyen, T., Garrett, R.E., Downing, A.R., Walker, L.T., & Hobbs, D.A., 2006. Telecommunications Access - Matching Available Technologies to People with Physical Disabilities. Australasian Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine, 29(1), 87-97.
Refereed conference papers
Hobbs, D.A. & Worthington-Eyre, B.L., 2008. The Efficacy of Combining Augmented Reality and Music Therapy with Traditional Teaching Preliminary Results. Proceedings of the 2nd International Convention on Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology, 241-244.
Conference publications
Aldwehi, M.M., Reynolds, K.J., & Hobbs, D.A., 2011. Biomedical Technology Management: Procurement & replacement planning. Proceedings of the Engineering and Physical Sciences in Medicine and the Australian Biomedical Engineering Conference, 48-48.
Hobbs, D.A., 2010. Neuroplasticty and electrical stimulation for cerebral palsy: a question of practice, dose and duration. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 52(S2), 27-28.
Murchland, S., Raghavendra, P., Hobbs, D.A., Shiosaki, P., & Jose, R., 2010. Making music to learn new skills in a virtual world. Proceedings of the ARATA (Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association) national conference.
Raghavendra, P., Murchland, S., Shiosaki, P., & Hobbs, D.A., 2010. Enabling children with severe physical disabilities using the Virtual Music Instrument. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 52(S2), 45-45.
Book chapters
Chau, T., Memarian, N., Leung, B., Treherne, D., Hobbs, D.A., Worthington-Eyre, B., Lamont, A., & Pla-Mobarak, M., 2012. Home-Based Computer Vision Access Technologies for Individuals with Severe Motor Impairments. In Handbook of Ambient Assisted Living - Technology for Healthcare, Rehabilitation and Well-being. Netherlands: IOS Press BV, pp. 581-597.
Refereed journal articles
Hobbs, D.A., Close, J.K., Downing, A., Reynolds, K.J., & Walker, L.T., 2009. Developing a national research and development centre in assistive technologies for independent living. Australian Health Review, 33(1), 152-160.
Nguyen, T., Garrett, R., Downing, A.R., Walker, L.T., & Hobbs, D.A., 2008. An interfacing system that enables speech generating device users to independently access and use a mobile phone. Technology and Disability, 20(3), 225-239.
Nguyen, T., Garrett, R., Downing, A.R., Walker, L.T., & Hobbs, D.A., 2007. Research into telecommunications options for people with physical disabilities. Assistive Technology, 19(2), 78-93.
Nguyen, T., Garrett, R.E., Downing, A.R., Walker, L.T., & Hobbs, D.A., 2006. Telecommunications Access - Matching Available Technologies to People with Physical Disabilities. Australasian Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine, 29(1), 87-97.
Refereed conference papers
Hobbs, D.A. & Worthington-Eyre, B.L., 2008. The Efficacy of Combining Augmented Reality and Music Therapy with Traditional Teaching Preliminary Results. Proceedings of the 2nd International Convention on Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology, 241-244.
Conference publications
Aldwehi, M.M., Reynolds, K.J., & Hobbs, D.A., 2011. Biomedical Technology Management: Procurement & replacement planning. Proceedings of the Engineering and Physical Sciences in Medicine and the Australian Biomedical Engineering Conference, 48-48.
Hobbs, D.A., 2010. Neuroplasticty and electrical stimulation for cerebral palsy: a question of practice, dose and duration. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 52(S2), 27-28.
Murchland, S., Raghavendra, P., Hobbs, D.A., Shiosaki, P., & Jose, R., 2010. Making music to learn new skills in a virtual world. Proceedings of the ARATA (Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association) national conference.
Raghavendra, P., Murchland, S., Shiosaki, P., & Hobbs, D.A., 2010. Enabling children with severe physical disabilities using the Virtual Music Instrument. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 52(S2), 45-45.
Hobbs, D.A., 2010. Electrical stimulation and neuroplasticity. Proceedings of the ARATA (Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association) national conference.
Bessell, T.J., Randell, M.S., Knowles, G.P., & Hobbs, D.A., 2006. Connecting people with the environment: A new accessible wireless remote control. Connecting people and community through technology : proceedings of the of the ARATA national conference 2006.
Professional and community engagement
Member, Society of Medical & Biological Engineering (SMBE): 2001 - present
Member, National Committee on Rehabilitation Engineering (NCRE), through Engineers Australia: 2001 - present
Member and former National Board Member (2004 - 2007), Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Australia: 2003 - present
Member and former National Board Member (2004 - 2010), Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA): 2001 - present
Member, Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP): 2008 - present
Chair, College of Biomedical Engineers (SA Chapter), through Engineers Australia: 2009 - present
Member, College of Biomedical Engineers National Board, through Engineers Australia: 2009 - present
Chair, Australian Fulbright Alumni Association (SA Chapter): 2010 - present
Member, Fulbright South Australian State Selection Committee: 2010 - present
Member, State Government Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) Equipment Evaluation Sub-Committee: 2010 - present
Expertise for media contact
- Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology
Subject/s
- Engineering - Biomedical
