West Deer man receives national science medal from President Biden

Oct. 24—A West Deer man and University of Pittsburgh professor was awarded one of the nation's highest science honors on Tuesday by President Joe Biden, just a few days before he is inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame on Thursday.

Rory Cooper was among 10 recipients of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation at a White House ceremony Tuesday.

Cooper was an Army veteran stationed in Germany in 1980 when a bicycle accident left him paralyzed from the waist down.

He then enrolled at California Polytechnic State University. When he became frustrated that his 80-pound chrome-and-steel wheelchair was difficult to maneuver on campus, he went into his family's shop to design his own ultralight wheelchair.

Informed by his own experience as a disabled veteran, Cooper's work as a biomedical engineer has led to improved manual and electric wheelchairs. Among his inventions is the ergonomic dual surface wheelchair push-rim, which is a wheelchair accessory designed to relieve stress on the wheelchair pusher's upper body.

Cooper also founded the Human Engineering Research Lab in which Pitt scientists partner with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to continue research into helping those with disabilities achieve mobility and independence. Along the way, that has incorporated computing artificial intelligence, laser range finders and other advanced technologies.

Cooper also looked into ways to improve the design of racing wheelchairs and has competed in the annual Paralympic Games.

Cooper, along with fellow Pittsburgh-area resident and DuoLingo founder Luis von Ahn, also will be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame's 2023 class.

Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Patrick by email at pvarine@triblive.com or via Twitter .