Marissa Cowan
Papers
1
Total Citations
8
H-Index
1
About
Marissa Cowan is a leading researcher in the field of biomechatronics and assistive robotics, with a primary focus on developing intelligent lower-limb prostheses that restore natural, volitional movement for amputees. Her most cited work, "Volitional EMG Control Enables Stair Climbing with a Robotic Powered Knee Prosthesis" (2023, 8 citations), represents a pivotal breakthrough in prosthetic control. Cowan’s major contribution lies in moving beyond traditional predefined trajectory controllers—which regulate speed and timing but offer limited user agency—to a system that leverages electromyographic (EMG) signals from the user’s residual muscles. This innovation allows amputees to directly command the robotic knee in real-time, enabling intuitive, step-over-step stair climbing without reliance on pre-programmed patterns. By prioritizing volitional control, Cowan’s research significantly enhances user autonomy and adaptability in complex, real-world environments. Her work has been recognized for its potential to transform rehabilitation outcomes, bridging the gap between robotic assistance and human intent. With a growing citation impact, Cowan is establishing herself as a key voice in the next generation of prosthetic design, where seamless human-machine interaction is paramount.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1