Chad Berghoff is a junior at the University of Utah, pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis on Robotics. He has been trained and certified in various manufacturing practices through the university and is currently engaged in prototyping several key components for the HRELab. His work includes the development of KUKA robot end effectors, tools for motion capture systems such as calibration hardware and rigid-body tracking components, and custom mounts and adapters for lab-specific sensors.

Chad was awarded acceptance into the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) through the HRELab for both the summer and fall of 2024. He is now in his second semester of research, focusing on establishing a lab-specific electromyography (EMG) protocol and developing a proof-of-concept system to explore various control schemes for the lab’s projects.

Looking ahead, Chad aspires to be accepted into the PhD program at the University of Utah, where he plans to further his research in the field of medical and rehabilitation robotics, with the goal of developing technologies that enhance quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Beyond his academic and research commitments, Chad is a devoted husband and father. His wife, Jane Berghoff, is a faculty member at the University of Utah, and together they have a two-year-old son, Jack. Jack, who was born with spina bifida, inspires Chad’s dedication to research aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals with neurological and anatomical differences.