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.
View my LinkedIn profile here.
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
1st Prize, The Soft Technology Award, awarded by the Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA) for 'developments, improvements and innovations in service delivery to Assistive Technology users' (2012)
Finalist, Science Excellence Awards SA, Early Career STEM Educator of the Year, Tertiary Teaching (2012)
3 Minute Thesis (3MT) - Flinders University Winner (2011)
Fulbright Professional Scholarship in FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) and cerebral palsy (2008)
South Australian "Top 50 Rising Stars" list (2007)
ABC-Australian Academy of Science Media Fellowship (2005)
Engineers Australia's "Top 100 Most Influential Engineers", in the 'Young Engineers Top 10 Newcomers' category (2005)
Engineers Australia's "Young Professional Engineer of the Year" Award (2004)
Churchill Fellowship in Rehabilitation Engineering (2003)
The Entrepreneurial Award, a Scholarship to undertake the "South Australian Enterprise Workshop" (2001)
Engineer Australia's "Flinders University" Medal (2000)
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).
Hobbs, D., Russo, R., Reynolds, K., and Hillier, S., Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation grant: Can children with cerebral palsy improve their hand sensation using special haptic computer games? A randomised controlled trial. (2013-2014: $65,000).
Teaching
Research and supervision
Research expertise
- Biomedical engineering
Research interests
Functional Electrical Simulation (FES) and mechanisms for inducing neurplasticity
Rehabilitation Engineering, Assistive Technology and cerebral palsy related research
Universal Design
Technology Transfer
Supervisory interests
- Rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology
Publications
Book chapters
Chau, T., Memarian, N., Leung, B., Treherne, D., Hobbs, D.A., Worthington-Eyre, B., et al. (2012). Home-Based Computer Vision Access Technologies for Individuals with Severe Motor Impairments. In JC Augusto, M Huch, A Kameas, J Maitland, P McCullagh, J Roberts, A Sixsmith & R Wichert, ed. Handbook of Ambient Assisted Living - Technology for Healthcare, Rehabilitation and Well-being. Amsterdam, Netherlands: IOS Press, pp. 581-597. [online]. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/978-1-60750-837-3-581.
Refereed journal articles
Walker, L., Svistounov, A., Symonds, B. and Hobbs, D.A. (2012). Investigating the Effects of Varying the Angle of Application and Increasing the Ignition Source Flow Rate During ISO Ignitability Testing on Foam and Vinyl. Assistive Technology, 24(3), pp.214-219. [online]. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2012.659833.
Hobbs, D.A., Close, J.K., Downing, A., Reynolds, K.J. and Walker, L. (2009). Developing a national research and development centre in assistive technologies for independent living. Australian Health Review, 33(1), pp.152-160.
Nguyen, T., Garrett, R., Downing, A.R., Walker, L.T. and 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), pp.225-239. [online]. Available from: http://iospress.metapress.com/content/061l4638717615ug/.
Nguyen, T., Garrett, R., Downing, A.R., Walker, L. and Hobbs, D.A. (2007). Research into telecommunications options for people with physical disabilities. Assistive Technology, 19(2), pp.78-93.
Nguyen, T., Garrett, R., Downing, A., Walker, L. and Hobbs, D. (2006). Telecommunications Access - Matching Available Technologies to People with Physical Disabilities. Australasian Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine, 29(1), pp.87-97. [online]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16623228# http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=456712165722905;res=IELENG.
Refereed conference papers
Henschke, M., Hobbs, D. and Wilkinson, B.G. (2012). Developing serious games for children with cerebral palsy: case study and pilot trial. In V Farrell, G Farrell, C Chua, W Huang, R Vasa & C Woodward, ed. Proceedings of the 24th Australian Computer-Human Interaction Conference. OzCHI '12. pp. 212-221. [online]. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/2414536.2414574.
Hobbs, D.A. and Worthington-Eyre, B.L. (2008). The Efficacy of Combining Augmented Reality and Music Therapy with Traditional Teaching Preliminary Results. In P Thajchayapong, Z Koh, W Phantachat & W T Ang, ed. Proceedings of the 2nd International Convention on Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology. i-CREATe '08. pp. 241-244. [online]. Available from: http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1983287&CFID=64236234&CFTOKEN=27334485.
Conference publications
Hobbs, D., Wilkinson, B.G., Henschke, M. and Reynolds, K. (2012). Game on! Accessible gaming for children with disabilities. In Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Association (ARATA) Conference. Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Association (ARATA) Conference.
Aldwehi, M., Reynolds, K. and Hobbs, D.A. (2011). Biomedical Technology Management: Procurement & replacement planning. In Proceedings of the Engineering and Physical Sciences in Medicine and the Australian Biomedical Engineering Conference. The Engineering and Physical Sciences in Medicine and the Australian Biomedical Engineering Conference. pp. 48-48.
Book chapters
Chau, T., Memarian, N., Leung, B., Treherne, D., Hobbs, D.A., Worthington-Eyre, B., et al. (2012). Home-Based Computer Vision Access Technologies for Individuals with Severe Motor Impairments. In JC Augusto, M Huch, A Kameas, J Maitland, P McCullagh, J Roberts, A Sixsmith & R Wichert, ed. Handbook of Ambient Assisted Living - Technology for Healthcare, Rehabilitation and Well-being. Amsterdam, Netherlands: IOS Press, pp. 581-597. [online]. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/978-1-60750-837-3-581.
Refereed journal articles
Walker, L., Svistounov, A., Symonds, B. and Hobbs, D.A. (2012). Investigating the Effects of Varying the Angle of Application and Increasing the Ignition Source Flow Rate During ISO Ignitability Testing on Foam and Vinyl. Assistive Technology, 24(3), pp.214-219. [online]. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2012.659833.
Hobbs, D.A., Close, J.K., Downing, A., Reynolds, K.J. and Walker, L. (2009). Developing a national research and development centre in assistive technologies for independent living. Australian Health Review, 33(1), pp.152-160.
Nguyen, T., Garrett, R., Downing, A.R., Walker, L.T. and 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), pp.225-239. [online]. Available from: http://iospress.metapress.com/content/061l4638717615ug/.
Nguyen, T., Garrett, R., Downing, A.R., Walker, L. and Hobbs, D.A. (2007). Research into telecommunications options for people with physical disabilities. Assistive Technology, 19(2), pp.78-93.
Nguyen, T., Garrett, R., Downing, A., Walker, L. and Hobbs, D. (2006). Telecommunications Access - Matching Available Technologies to People with Physical Disabilities. Australasian Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine, 29(1), pp.87-97. [online]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16623228# http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=456712165722905;res=IELENG.
Refereed conference papers
Henschke, M., Hobbs, D. and Wilkinson, B.G. (2012). Developing serious games for children with cerebral palsy: case study and pilot trial. In V Farrell, G Farrell, C Chua, W Huang, R Vasa & C Woodward, ed. Proceedings of the 24th Australian Computer-Human Interaction Conference. OzCHI '12. pp. 212-221. [online]. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/2414536.2414574.
Hobbs, D.A. and Worthington-Eyre, B.L. (2008). The Efficacy of Combining Augmented Reality and Music Therapy with Traditional Teaching Preliminary Results. In P Thajchayapong, Z Koh, W Phantachat & W T Ang, ed. Proceedings of the 2nd International Convention on Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology. i-CREATe '08. pp. 241-244. [online]. Available from: http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1983287&CFID=64236234&CFTOKEN=27334485.
Conference publications
Hobbs, D., Wilkinson, B.G., Henschke, M. and Reynolds, K. (2012). Game on! Accessible gaming for children with disabilities. In Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Association (ARATA) Conference. Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Association (ARATA) Conference.
Aldwehi, M., Reynolds, K. and Hobbs, D.A. (2011). Biomedical Technology Management: Procurement & replacement planning. In Proceedings of the Engineering and Physical Sciences in Medicine and the Australian Biomedical Engineering Conference. The Engineering and Physical Sciences in Medicine and the Australian Biomedical Engineering Conference. pp. 48-48.
Hobbs, D.A. (2010). Electrical stimulation and neuroplasticity. In Proceedings of the ARATA (Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association) national conference. Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA) Biennial National Conference. [online]. Available from: http://www.arata.org.au/conf.php.
Hobbs, D.A. (2010). Neuroplasticty and electrical stimulation for cerebral palsy: a question of practice, dose and duration. In P. Baxter and H.M. Hart, ed. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. Australasian Association for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AusACPDM). pp. 27-28.
Murchland, S., Raghavendra, P., Hobbs, D.A., Shiosaki, P. and Jose, R. (2010). Making music to learn new skills in a virtual world. In Proceedings of the ARATA (Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association) national conference. Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA) Biennial National Conference. [online]. Available from: http://www.arata.org.au/conf.php.
Raghavendra, P., Murchland, S., Shiosaki, P. and Hobbs, D.A. (2010). Enabling children with severe physical disabilities using the Virtual Music Instrument. In P. Baxter and H.M. Hart, ed. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. Australasian Association for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AusACPDM). pp. 45-45.
Bessell, T.J., Randell, M.S., Knowles, G.P. and Hobbs, D.A. (2006). Connecting people with the environment: A new accessible wireless remote control. In Connecting people and community through technology ?: proceedings of the of the ARATA national conference 2006. ARATA National Conference 2006: Connecting People and Community Through Technology. [online]. Available from: http://www.e-bility.com/arataconf06/abstracts/ec_hobbs.html.
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
- Rehabilitation
