Sol Lim, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech
Co-Director, Occupational Ergonomics and Biomechanics (OEB) Laboratories
Core Faculty, Occupational Safety and Health Research Center (OSHRC)
Faculty, VT Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS)
Faculty Affiliate, Center for Human-Computer Interaction (CHCI)
Education
Ph.D., Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan (2019)
Graduate Certificate in Data Science, Michigan Institute for Data Science, University of Michigan (2018)
M.S., Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan (2015)
M.S., Industrial Engineering, Seoul National University (2011)
B.S., Clothing and Textiles, Yonsei University (2009)
Contact
Email: sol@vt.edu
Office: 549 Whittemore Hall, 1185 Perry Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061
Office phone: 540-231-0083
Research Interests:
Functional capabilities in humans are very diverse and are affected differently by environmental circumstances and the demands of tasks. Lack of design consideration for the diversity in human functional capabilities leads to an increase in the prevalence of work-related injuries, and even limits certain vulnerable populations, such as persons with mobility impairments, from accessing environments and services (e.g., public transportation). The overall goals of my research are to: (1) assess human motion by combining functional biomechanics, wearable sensing technologies, and data analytics in a range of environmental contexts, and (2) improve human performance and well-being by providing adequate & timely intervention.
For recent projects, please visit the Research page and OEB Labs webpage!
Recent News (full list)
Student News/Awards
✈️🏆 09/2023: Ph.D. Mahdis Tajdari has been awarded the HFES Student Travel Grant to attend the 67th HFES International Annual Meeting. Congrats, Mahdis!
✈️🏆 09/2023: Ph.D. student Sakshi Pranay Taori has been selected to receive the HFES Occupational Ergonomics Technical Group Travel Award. Congrats, Sakshi!
🏆 09/2023: Ph.D. student Sakshi Pranay Taori has been awarded second prize for her research poster and oral presentation titled “Armband-EMG based Lift Detection and Hand Load Classification” in the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) Conference 2023 held at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Congrats, Sakshi!
✈️🏆 09/2023: Ph.D. Student Md Shafiqul Islam has been awarded conference travel grants from the Graduate School of Virginia Tech. Congrats, Shafiqul!
🏆 09/2023: Ph.D. Student Md Shafiqul Islam has been selected to receive the HFES Student Member with Honors Award for 2023. Congrats, Shafiqul!
✈️🏆 08/2023: Ph.D. student Saman Jamshid Nezhad Zahabi has received Travel Award Funding from the ISE department. Congrats, Saman!
08/2023: New member alert! Ph.D. student Sakshi Taori and M.S. student Junghoon Chung have joined the lab. Welcome, Sakshi and Junghoon!
✈️🏆 08/2023: Four Ph.D. Students (Md Shafiqul Islam, Saman Jamshid Nezhad Zahabi, Sakshi Taori, and Mahdis Tajdari) have been awarded conference travel grants from the Center for Human-Computer Interaction (CHCI) at Virginia Tech. Congrats, all!
🏆 05/2023: Dr. Lim received the "Faculty of the Year" award from the VT HFES Student Chapter.
Publication News
01/2024: A paper by Kim titled "Teleoperator-Robot-Human interaction in manufacturing: perspectives from industry, robot manufacturers, and researchers" was published in IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors.
06/2023: A conference abstract co-authored by Ph.D. student Md Shafiqul Islam titled “Translating exercise interventions online: Considerations for real‑world impact” was presented at the 22nd Annual International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Conference at Uppsala, Sweden.
05/2023: Three papers from our lab students were accepted for the 67th HFES Annual Meeting at Washington DC. Congrats, Shafiqul, Sakshi, and Saman!
Md Shafiqul Islam: "Forklift Driving Performance of Novices with Repeated VR-based Training"
Sakshi Taori: "Comparing Armband EMG-based Lifting Load Classification Algorithms using Various Lifting Trials"
Saman Jamshid Nezhad Zahabi: "Cognitive Workload of Novice Forklift Truck Drivers in VR-based Training"
01/2023: A paper by Lim titled "Task Performance and Stepping Adaptation during Obstacle Clearance Task in Individuals with High Body Mass Index" was published in Applied Ergonomics.
01/2023: A paper by Lim titled "Real-time Vibrotactile Feedback System for Reducing Trunk Flexion Exposure during Construction Tasks" was published in Applied Ergonomics.
Funding News
01/2024: A research project titled" Designing AI as a Mental Health Resource for Autistic Adults: Enhancing Therapeutic Approaches with Multimodal Interactions" was funded by Whole Health Consortium at VT (PI: Rho).
06/2023: A research project titled "Harnessing Wearable Technology to Combat Maternal Mortality - A Scope Review and Future of Work" was funded by the Center for Future Work Places and Practices summer seed grant (PI: Zhang).
06/2023: A research project titled "Assessing Interventions to Reduce the Risk of Low-Back Disorders" was funded by GM (PI: Nussbaum).
03/2023: A research project titled "Is Listening to Podcasts Effective for Learning? Assessing Medical Trainees' Attentiveness through Electroencephalographic (EEG) Activity" was funded by 4VA.
01/2023: A research project titled "Research on Lift Assists in Automotive Assembly" was funded by UAW-Ford Joint Trust (PI: Nussbaum).
01/2023: A research project titled "Investigating Sensitivity to Vibrotactile Stimulation during Dynamic Work Tasks to Facilitate Future Effective Ergonomic Interventions" was funded by Johns Hopkins NIOSH Education and Research Center.
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