Areas of interest: Neurorehabilitation, application of technology to psychology, virtual reality technology, driving capacity after neurological compromise, rehabilitation of functional, everyday activities
Background: Dr. Schultheis is an Associate Research Professor with appointments in the Department of Psychology and the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems.
Dr. Schultheis is a Clinical Neuropsychologist who received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Drexel University in 1998. Dr. Schulthies’ clinical and research experience have been focused on the rehabilitation of cognitively impaired populations, including traumatic brain injury, stroke and multiple sclerosis. Specifically, she has specialized in 1) the application of technologies to the clinical, research and education of psychology and 2). studying the demands (physical, cognitive and behavioral) of driving following neurological compromise. Recently, she has focused on the development of new driving assessment protocols for individuals with disabilities. This includes research focusing on the application of Virtual Reality (VR) technology. Dr. Schultheis is also investigating the development of VR as a tool for ecologically valid assessment and retraining of everyday activities in rehabilitation. Dr. Schultheis' overall interest is in research related to the investigation and development of methodologies that have functional significance and can improve the quality of everyday life for persons with disabilities
Dr. Schultheis' work has been funded by such organizations as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). Her work was recognized in awards from the National Academy of Neuropsychology and the Philadelphia Neuropsychological Society. She is also the recipient of the 2007 Early Career Award for Division 40 (Neuropsychology) of the American Psychological Association.
Dr. Schultheis’ approach is interdisciplinary and her work cuts across the fields of Clinical Psychology, Rehabilitation, Engineering and Transportation. She has published over manuscripts, chapters and other publications and has presented her work at various international and national forums. She is active in several professional organizations related to these areas and currently serves on the National Research Council, as a member of the Transportation Research Board.
Douglas L. Chute, Ph.D is Professor of Neuropsychology for the APA approved Clinical Psychology Program and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Drexel University. Dr. Chute’s academic focus centers on the integration of applied neuroscience and cognitive technologies especially for people with acquired cognitive impairments like traumatic brain injuries. Dr. Chute is known as a leading educator in Neuropsychology co-establishing the first Ph.D program in the field at the University of Houston, founding the graduate program at Drexel University (ranked one of the top programs internationally), and serving as a founding co-editor with Sandra Koffler and Barbara Uzzell of the journal Neuropsychology. He is currently the Technology Section Editor for The Clinical Neuropsychologist. More recently, Dr. Chute collaborated in the founding of the distanCE continuing education program for the National Academy of Neuropsychology and authored or edited courses delivered over the web in neuroanatomy and medical neuroscience and in mild traumatic brain injury.
Dr. Chute has over 100 books, chapters, papers, and software titles published. He has commercialized a number of technological products in education and cognitive neuroscience and brain imaging and developed a patent for a cognitive and environmental assistive system to help maintain community living for persons with neurocognitive impairments. Dr. Chute was named an “Outstanding Scientist of the 20th Century,” honored with two EDUCOM/NCRIPTAL Best Scientific Laboratories software awards, an Apple Teaching Fellow Award, and a Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award. He has also received national and international recognition for his work with technology for people with cognitive impairments, e.g. NSF/MCI National Search for the Use of Computers for Persons with Disabilities, and an iec ProGAMMA for Social Science and Information Technology, Special Software Award of Excellence. He has lead major research projects funded by the National Science and Engineering Research Council, the Medical Research Council, the Pew Foundation, Albisser, and other private and public agencies. But what he is most proud of is the successes of his students many of who hold professorships and senior positions around the world and who include past and present leaders of the National Academy.
Dr. Chute serves on a number of corporate, professional, and government boards. He is a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania and the Ontario College of Psychologist, in the national register (CRHSPP), and a Fellow of the National Academy of Neuropsychology. Dr. Chute is the Neuropsychology advisor to the Department of Health, Pennsylvania Head Injury Program, and he also serves in a similar capacity with the Department of Public Welfare for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In Canada, he serves on the executive board of Brain Injury Service of Simcoe, a provincially funded provider.
