John-Ross Rizzo

Last updated
John-Ross Rizzo
JohnRoss Rizzo.jpg
NationalityAmerican
Alma mater New York University
Employer NYU Langone Medical Center
Known for Assistive technology, Eye–hand coordination
Website JohnRoss Rizzo-NYU School of Medicine, RizzoLab

John-Ross (JR) Rizzo, M.D., M.S.C.I., is an American physician-scientist known for his contributions to the field of healthcare and rehabilitation. He holds the Melamid Professorship in Rehabilitation (Disability) Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center. [1] Dr. Rizzo has made strides in the areas of disability inclusion, innovation, and equity within the medical community. At NYU Langone Medical Center, Dr. Rizzo serves as the first Health System Director of Disability Inclusion, which seeks to increase accessibility and inclusivity within healthcare. Additionally, he holds the position of Vice Chair of Innovation and Equity for the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine. His affiliations include the Department of Neurology, where he contributes to the advancement of neurological sciences, as well as the Departments of Biomedical & Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at New York University Tandon School of Engineering. Within Tandon, he also contributes to the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department as the associate director of Healthcare for the NYU Wireless Center. [2] Dr. Rizzo has published 125 peer-reviewed publications, contributed to 12 textbooks, and co-authored many conference proceedings. [3] [4] He has been funded by 5 federal agencies and lead/co-lead grants exceeding $10M. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

Contents

Dr. Rizzo is the founding director of the Visuomotor Integration Laboratory (VMIL). [11] Within this innovative research space, his team explores the dynamics of eye-hand coordination and its relevance to neurological conditions. He also leads the REACTIV Laboratory (Rehabilitation Engineering Alliance and Center Transforming Low Vision) which seeks to address the challenges faced by individuals with visual impairments. [12] He and his team focus on developing low- and high-tech assistive technologies, with a special emphasis on wearables.

In addition to his academic and research pursuits, Dr. Rizzo was appointed in 2023 by Governor Kathy Hochul to the Board of Directors of The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). [13]

Early life and education

As a young boy, he was diagnosed with Choroideremia, a congenital, X-linked, recessive disease of the retina and choroid, associated with nyctalopia and degenerative peripheral vision. It has deeply influenced his thinking about functional dependencies and his professional goals.

Rizzo completed his undergraduate degree at New York University magna cum laude with an honors thesis in neural science and a double minor in chemistry and psychology. He was a Dean's Scholar and also conferred the Founders Day Award. He completed his medical school training on an academic scholarship at New York Medical College Alpha Omega Alpha (Iota Chapter) Honors and placed in top contention for his medical student research in neuro-ophthalmology under the tutelage of Prof. Sansar Sharma. His residency was completed at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University School of Medicine, where he completed a Chief Year and was selected for multiple leadership positions. His fellowship was completed in clinical research through the Physician Scientist Training Program at New York University School of Medicine’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) under a grant from the NIH (NCATS) in partnership with Rusk and the NYU Center for Neural Science / Dept. of Psychology under Prof.Michael S. Landy.

Career

He has been a faculty member at NYU Langone Medical Center working on and creating teams that focus on a number of research foci since 2013. These include the Visuomotor Integration Laboratory (VMIL), focused on eye-hand coordination, as it relates to acquired brain injury (ABI), the REACTIV Laboratory (Rehabilitation Engineering Alliance and Center Transforming Low Vision), focuses on advanced wearables for the sensory deprived. [14]

His research explores how eye control intersects with hand control during eye-hand coordination after acquired brain injury (ABI) and what role vision and eye movements play in hand-focused motor recovery. Additionally, he focuses on leveraging technology to better objectify accepted clinical measures, to assist in instrumenting the medical ecosystem to improve medical science, and to create assistive technologies to help foster functional independence.

Awards

Rizzo has won awards for his work in disability research, particularly focused on the intersection of ocular motor and manual motor control and on assistive technology. He was awarded the Crain’s 40 under 40 award in New York Business for his medical devices, including his wearable technology. [15] In 2016, he was conferred the title of “Healthcare Re-writer” by Forbes and KPMG”. [16] Dr. Rizzo has also been featured in a number of lay articles and also featured in videos and press releases. In 2018, he was a highlighted speaker in NYU's TEDx “Re-Vision” Series. [17] in which he explains his life story and how he made turned his disability into a super power through the use of assistive technology and advanced wearables. [18] In 2018, ACRM recognized John-Ross Rizzo, for contributions to the field made during his early career work and he received the Deborah L. Wilkerson Early Career Award. [19] He was inducted into the Susan Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame that honors those who are making a significant difference in the lives of youth and adults with disabilities through mentoring and to raise awareness (Class of 2019). [20] He is also a recipient of the Rusk Leadership & Innovation Award. [21]

Grants and research

Broadly, Rizzo focuses on the best innovation practices to support novel technologies in clinical applications. He has worked to quantitatively characterize accepted clinical measures and to instrument the medical ecosystem to create algorithmic approaches to care routines.

His research mission is broadly divided into two scientific domains.

The first domain is motor control and behavioral science in brain injury. He seeks to understand how eye control intersects with hand control during eye-hand coordination after acquired brain injury (ABI) and what role vision and eye movements play in motor recovery. His Team was instrumental in characterizing eye-hand dyscoordination in stroke and has worked to translate these findings to other patient populations. [22] The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, among other foundations and governmental sponsors. [22] [23] [24]

His second domain is assistive technologies. He is designing mobility solutions for the visually impaired. Dr. Rizzo and his team have developed a new mechanical white cane that hybridizes the conventional cane with an adaptive mobility device called "DragonFly" which leverages a disparate navigation strategy that avoids the swinging and inefficiencies of current cane use, avoiding frequent musculoskeletal injuries and mitigating falls. [25] He and his team have also developed a new advanced wearable platform that can be considered a sensory augmentative aid with omnidirectional spatial perception. This device maps the environment in three dimensions through the use of distance and ranging sensors, along with sensor fusion, and then selectively re-displays the information via a torso-mounted haptic interface, vibrating the obstacles in the user's immediate vicinity onto their abdomen spatiotopically. Audio output is also leveraged through a bone conduction headset that also contains a microphone for voice control. The research was funded by the National Science Foundation, among other foundations, corporate sponsors, and governmental agencies. [26] [27] [28]

Selected bibliography

Related Research Articles

Hemiparesis, or unilateral paresis, is weakness of one entire side of the body. Hemiplegia is, in its most severe form, complete paralysis of half of the body. Hemiparesis and hemiplegia can be caused by different medical conditions, including congenital causes, trauma, tumors, or stroke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brain damage</span> Destruction or degeneration of brain cells

Neurotrauma, brain damage or brain injury (BI) is the destruction or degeneration of brain cells. Brain injuries occur due to a wide range of internal and external factors. In general, brain damage refers to significant, undiscriminating trauma-induced damage.

Rehabilitation of sensory and cognitive function typically involves methods for retraining neural pathways or training new neural pathways to regain or improve neurocognitive functioning that have been diminished by disease or trauma. The main objective outcome for rehabilitation is to assist in regaining physical abilities and improving performance. Three common neuropsychological problems treatable with rehabilitation are attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), concussion, and spinal cord injury. Rehabilitation research and practices are a fertile area for clinical neuropsychologists, rehabilitation psychologists, and others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Physical medicine and rehabilitation</span> Branch of medicine

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bálint's syndrome</span> Medical condition

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visual impairment</span> Decreased ability to see

Visual or vision impairment is the partial or total inability of visual perception. For the former and latter case, the terms low vision and blindness respectively are often used. In the absence of treatment such as corrective eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment – visual impairment may cause the individual difficulties with normal daily tasks including reading and walking. In addition to the various permanent conditions, fleeting temporary vision impairment, amaurosis fugax, may occur, and may indicate serious medical problems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine</span> Hospital in New York, United States

Rusk Rehabilitation is the world's first and among the largest university-affiliated academic centers devoted entirely to inpatient/outpatient care, research, and training in rehabilitation medicine for both adults and pediatric patients. The system is part of the NYU Langone Medical Center and operated under the auspices of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of the New York University School of Medicine. The Rusk Institute is named in honor of its founder, Howard A. Rusk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan AbilityLab</span> Hospital in Illinois, United States

The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), is a not-for-profit nationally ranked physical medicine and rehabilitation research hospital based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1954, the AbilityLab is designed for patient care, education, and research in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). The AbilityLab specializes in rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions ranging from traumatic brain and spinal cord injury to stroke, amputation and cancer-related impairment. Affiliated with Northwestern University, the hospital is located on Northwestern’s Chicago campus and partners on research and medical efforts.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">NYU Langone Health</span> Hospital in New York, United States

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Steven R. Flanagan is a nationally renowned expert in the field of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is professor and chairman of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the New York University School of Medicine, and the medical director of the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at the NYU Langone Medical Center.

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References

  1. ↑ "JohnRoss Rizzo". med.nyu.edu. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  2. ↑ "NYU WIRELESS | NYU Tandon School of Engineering". engineering.nyu.edu. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  3. ↑ "JR (John-Ross) Rizzo". scholar.google.com. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  4. ↑ "My Bibliography - NCBI". www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  5. ↑ "NSF Award Search: Award # 1952180 - SCC-IRG Track 2: Transportation Gaps and Disability-Related Unemployment: Smarter Cities and Wearables combating Commuting Challenges for the Visually Impaired". www.nsf.gov. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  6. ↑ "NSF Award Search: Award # 2236097 - NSF Convergence Accelerator Track H: Smart Wearables for Expanding Workplace Access for People with Blindness and Low Vision". www.nsf.gov. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  7. ↑ "VIS4ION-Thailand (Visually Impaired Smart Service System for Spatial Intelligence and Onboard Navigation) - Resub - 1 - Fogarty International Center @ NIH". Fogarty International Center. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  8. ↑ Rizzo, John. "Eye-Hand Coordination in Elderly Stroke Victims: A Functional Visuomotor Rehab St".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. ↑ Gardezi, Maaz; Clay, David; Rizzo, Donna; Zia, Asim; McMaine, John. "FW-HTF-RL: Testing a Responsible Innovation Approach for Integrating Precision Agriculture (PA) Technologies with Future Farm Workers and W ork".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. ↑ Atashzar, S. Farokh; Rizzo, John Ross. "NSF/FDA SIR: Objective Assessment of Recovery during Post Stroke NeuroRehabilitation Therapy using Brain-Muscle Connectivity Network".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  11. ↑ "Eye–Hand Coordination Rehabilitation Research". NYU Langone Health. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  12. ↑ "Assistive Technology Rehabilitation Research". NYU Langone Health. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  13. ↑ "John-Ross "JR" Rizzo Joins MTA Board as MTA Board Finance Committee Chair Neal Zuckerman Is Reconfirmed". MTA. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  14. ↑ "VMIL & TTML - Rusk Rehabilitation". Med.nyu.edu. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  15. ↑ "40 Under 40 - John Ross Rizzo". Crain's New York Business. 6 July 2018.
  16. ↑ Melin, Anders. "Hope In Sight For Visually Impaired". Forbes.com.
  17. ↑ "TEDxNYU: Re-Vision". Tedxnyu.com.
  18. ↑ "TEDxNYU". 4 December 2018.
  19. ↑ "EARLY CAREER OUTSTANDING MENTOR AWARD".
  20. ↑ "The Susan Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame".
  21. ↑ "Rusk 75th Anniversary, Research Symposium" (PDF).
  22. 1 2 Rizzo, J. R.; Fung, J. K.; Hosseini, M.; Shafieesabet, A.; Ahdoot, E.; Pasculli, R. M.; Rucker, J. C.; Raghavan, P.; Landy, M. S.; Hudson, T. E. (2017). "Eye Control Deficits Coupled to Hand Control Deficits: Eye-Hand Incoordination in Chronic Cerebral Injury". Frontiers in Neurology. 8: 330. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00330 . PMC   5512342 . PMID   28769866.
  23. ↑ Beheshti, M.; Hudson, T. E.; Rizzo, J. R. (2020). "What's the Deal with Eye-Hand Coordination Post-stroke?". American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 99 (10): 968–969. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001497 . PMID   32541349.
  24. ↑ Rizzo, J. R.; Beheshti, M.; Shafieesabet, A.; Fung, J.; Hosseini, M.; Rucker, J. C.; Snyder, L. H.; Hudson, T. E. (2019). Eye-hand re-coordination: A pilot investigation of gaze and reach biofeedback in chronic stroke. Progress in Brain Research. Vol. 249. pp. 361–374. doi:10.1016/bs.pbr.2019.04.013. ISBN   9780444642547. PMID   31325995. S2CID   198135621.
  25. ↑ "DragonFly cane".
  26. ↑ Boldini, Alain; Rizzo, Johnross; Porfiri, Maurizio (2020). "A piezoelectric-based advanced wearable: Obstacle avoidance for the visually impaired built into a backpack". In Kim, Jaehwan (ed.). Nano-, Bio-, Info-Tech Sensors, and 3D Systems IV. p. 5. doi:10.1117/12.2558306. ISBN   9781510635333. S2CID   218981869.
  27. ↑ http://mmvc.engineering.nyu.edu/upload/20200620/a/c/An%20assistive%20low-vision%20platform%20that%20augments%20spatial%20cognition%20through%20proprioceptive%20guidance%20-%20Point-to-Tell-and-Touch.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  28. ↑ Li, Xiang; Cui, Hanzhang; Rizzo, John-Ross; Wong, Edward; Fang, Yi (2020). "Cross-Safe: A Computer Vision-Based Approach to Make All Intersection-Related Pedestrian Signals Accessible for the Visually Impaired". Advances in Computer Vision. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing. Vol. 944. pp. 132–146. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-17798-0_13. ISBN   978-3-030-17797-3. S2CID   182681355.
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