Living Independently in Functional Environments Laboratory LIFE Lab

Funded by the Paralyzed Veterans of America Education Foundation, we developed a 5-week Home Optimization and Modification Education (HOME) program in collaboration with interior design experts. At the end of the project, we will deliver the program to communities living with spinal cord injury (SCI) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Collaborators: Laura A. Rice, Ph.D., MPT, ATP at the University of Illinois Urbana—Champaign (Health and Kinesiology), Mi Jung Lee, Ph.D., at the University of Florida (Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics); Daejin Kim, Ph.D., at Florida State University (Interior Design)

• This project, funded by the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF), explores the feasibility of using virtual reality (VR) technology to visualize potential home modifications for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and their care partners through an interdisciplinary approach.
• By offering immersive experiences, we aim to help participants understand how these modifications can improve home safety while addressing functionality and aesthetics.
• Collaborators: Brett Fling, Ph.D. at CSU (Health and Exercise Science); Mi Jung Lee, Ph.D., at the University of Florida (Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics); Daejin Kim, Ph.D., at Florida State University (Interior Design)

• With funding from the AOTF, this project aims to develop an instructional manual for remote home assessments through a collaborative effort with individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) who use wheelchairs.
• This manual will support the use of 3D modeling technology to conduct remote home assessments, allowing individuals with SCI to receive timely home modifications from occupational therapists.
• Collaborator: Laura A. Rice, Ph.D., MPT, ATP at University of Illinois Urbana—Champaign (Health and Kinesiology)

• The purpose of this study is to improve the decision-making process for rehabilitation clinicians as they recommend or refer community care or telehealth services, focusing specifically on the needs of rural Veterans.
• It is funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Rural Health, Veterans Rural Health Resource Center – Gainesville.
• Principal investigator: Mi Jung Lee, Ph.D., at the University of Florida (Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics)

• We investigate clinicians’ perceptions and adoption of AI for clinical documentation to reduce administrative burden. A second project compares AI-generated and clinician-developed intervention plans to assess their quality, clinical relevance, and potential to support occupational therapy practice.

Want to learn more about our projects and participate in our studies? Please reach out to us at life-lab@colostate.edu to get involved.

Looking for research opportunities? Whether you want to be a research assistant or pursue a Ph.D. in Occupation and Rehabilitation Science with Dr. Kang, email jaewon.kang@colostate.edu to learn more.

We are not currently accepting new Ph.D. students.