Diana Herrera-Valenzuela
Papers
3
Total Citations
25
H-Index
2
About
Diana Herrera-Valenzuela is a researcher at the forefront of rehabilitation robotics, specializing in the human-centered design and usability of wearable robotic devices for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Her work bridges the critical gap between technical innovation and real-world user acceptance. Her most impactful study, a qualitative investigation into user requirements for lower limb exoskeletons in gait rehabilitation (20 citations), directly engaged patients and clinicians to define essential design and functional needs, ensuring technology aligns with lived experience. She is also pioneering hybrid neuroprosthetic systems, combining functional electrical stimulation with robotic assistance to overcome limitations like muscle fatigue, as seen in her 2024 work on a modular neuroprosthesis. Further advancing the field, Herrera-Valenzuela is developing a validated, standardized glossary of usability attributes for wearable robots—a foundational effort to create a common language for evaluating these technologies. Through this systematic focus on user perception, clinical requirements, and methodological rigor, she is shaping a future where assistive robots are not only technically capable but also truly usable and accepted by those who need them most.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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