In the News: A wake-up call

« Washington Engineer - May 2005

Bioengineer's research experiences rekindle debate over cell phone safety, industry's role in research

The cover story in the latest issue of Columns, the University of Washington's alumni magazine, features research Professor Henry Lai in the university's bioengineering department and his experiences in conducting research into the effects of microwave radiation similar to that emitted by cell phones. According to Lai, the cell phone industry launched a concerted effort to discredit his work after he found evidence of DNA damage. With the exception of industry-sponsored projects, he added, funding for such work has all but dried up in the United States. Now, a decade after the publication of Lai's first controversial study, findings out of Europe are raising similar concerns. The story received wide play overseas and prompted fuller coverage of the European research, which had been largely ignored by American media.

UW couple featured in Science perspective, praising UW Engineering as a family-friendly employer

Dawn Lehman and Marc Eberhard, both faculty in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, tell Science magazine that the department gets high marks for being willing to work out an arrangement with them that has allowed them to start a family. The two share one faculty slot, so their appointments amount to part-time tenure-track positions. The piece includes a photo of Lehman and Eberhard and their two children.

Building a better garbage can

Read the newspaper story

UW mechanical engineering student Justin Taber and some fellow students, including a friend majoring in business, have created a start-up company to market their next-big-thing: a hands-free garbage can for fast-food restaurants. The device is being given a trial run at a local restaurant, and the students and their company were featured on the business cover of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

VR makes the dentist's chair more friendly

Read the USA Today story

Read about some of Hoffman's recent research

UW researcher Hunter Hoffman comments in a USA Today story about dentists who have taken to using technology to distract their patients from the discomformt of dental procedures. Hoffman, a leading researcher in the use of virtual reality as an analgesic and for phobia therapy, comments on the effectiveness of such techniques. Hoffman has used VR to help burn patients manage their painful treatements and assist spider phobics in overcoming their fears. Most recently, Hoffman is collaborating with other researchers in providing VR therapy to treat soldiers returning from Iraq for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Hoffman works out of the Human Interface Technology Laboratory, which is affiliated with the College of Engineering.