Deana McDonagh

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Deana McDonagh is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of industrial design, engineering, and healthcare, whose work focuses on enhancing quality of life through inclusive and assistive technologies. Her key research areas include pressure ulcer prevention, hands-free mobility solutions, and user-centered design for individuals with physical impairments. McDonagh’s major contributions are exemplified by her leading role in developing the PURE (Personalized Unique Rolling Experience) wheelchair, a novel ballbot system that uses torso lean-to-steer control, enabling manual wheelchair users to navigate hands-free—freeing their hands for daily life activities. Her work on assistive devices for pressure ulcer prevention, detailed in a 2023 review (14 citations), provides an engineering perspective on mitigating complications for immobile individuals. With over 20 citations across her most-cited papers, McDonagh’s impact is evident in her ability to translate complex engineering challenges into practical, life-changing solutions. Notably, her hands-free control research (2024, 4 and 2 citations) addresses a critical gap in wheelchair design, offering users greater independence and participation in life experiences. McDonagh’s work stands as a testament to the power of empathetic, user-driven innovation in assistive technology.