Track 1: FEMTECH
Forging Expertise in Modern Technology and Engineering through a Convergence of Hokies
Faculty Champion
Raffaella De Vita (ME)
Team
Pinar Acar, Niyousha Hosseinichimeh, Xiaoting Jai, Christine Labuski, Shima Shahab
Project Goal
The goal of this project is to establish an interdisciplinary FemTech research initiative at Virginia Tech that integrates biomechanics, advanced sensing, ultrasound technologies, datadriven modeling, systems modeling, and sociotechnical perspectives to advance women-centered technologies. The effort will assemble a cross-disciplinary team and launch pilot studies to identify and begin addressing gaps in areas such as comfort, functional performance, and user experience, including applications in reproductive biomechanics, wearable technologies, and personalized design strategies. Through coordinated pilot work, cross-campus collaboration, and stakeholder engagement, the project will establish pathways for translating research into practical applications. This initiative leverages Virginia Tech’s strong foundation in engineering to advance technology-driven solutions that enhance well-being and position VT for competitive center-level funding.