Advancing Research and Innovation for Aging and Disability (ARIAD)

A CU Denver Research and
Creative Work Grand Challenge

The Goal

The ARIAD team aims to cultivate a powerful collaborative network of academic experts, community stakeholders, and local, national, and international industry advisors and partners to address the grand challenge of aging and aging into disability facing our world today. Funding and research support is provided by CU Denver in order to lay the foundation for building CU Denver’s reputation as a leader in research and creative work.

Project Information

ARIAD’s consortium of experts will converge to explore, develop, and deploy safe, productive, and efficient technologies to support the needs of those living with, or aging into, disability.

Leveraging and evolving CU Denver and Anschutz’s nationally recognized foundational programs is a key component of ARIAD’s plan. CIDE with its knowledge of assistive technology and human factors and design provides a vital strategic partnership. When partnered with the rest of the ARIAD group, the project team is equipped with expertise ranging from engineering to medicine to humanities and adult education. Collectively, ARIAD will forge new paths and propel creation of new knowledge to change lives by improving overall wellbeing and independence for those aging into or living with disability.

The outcome will not only make CU Denver a global destination for disability and aging technology innovation but will also make significant strides toward addressing the Grand Challenge facing our world today - how do we redesign our world when, for the first time in human history, our planet has more people over 65 than under the age of five?

Contact us to learn more or to join the effort!

Email Dr. Cathy Bodine: cathy.bodine@cuanschutz.edu
Email Dr. Caroline Clevenger: caroline.clevenger@ucdenver.edu

The Challenge

Public speaker in wheelchair in group with other adult lecturers.

One Billion

People live with disabilities worldwide.

Society is Aging

By 2030, one out of every five Americans will be at or above retirement age

Demand Fuels Innovation

One in two older adults will experience disability as they age.

Team Members

Dana Carpenter PhD

Associate Professor Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering (CEAS)

Email Address:dana.carpenter@ucdenver.edu

Primary Phone:3035568348

Mailing Address:

CU Denver

North Classroom

1200 Larimer Street

2024M

Denver, CO 80204

Bio

Dr. Carpenter is an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering at CU Denver. His research combines medical imaging, computational modeling, and mechanical testing to investigate the effects of aging, diseases, pharmaceuticals, and implanted devices on the human skeleton. He has over 20 years of experience in performing mechanical testing, image-based biomechanical analysis, volumetric bone mineral density (BMD) analysis, biomechanical strength analysis, and finite element analysis of bones and medical devices. He has used image-based mechanical analysis to investigate knee mechanics, the skeletal effects of the microgravitational environment aboard the International Space Station, and the effects of age, race, and sex on bone mineral density and bone structure. For the ARIAD project, he will work to bridge the fields of medical imaging, mechanical engineering, and design to help develop new strategies for improving the health and safety of our aging population.

Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering (CIDE)

CU Denver

The Hub, Bioengineering

1224 5th Street

Suite 130

Denver, CO 80204

303-315-1280

Facebook YouTube LinkedIn

Tools

Resources

Schools & Colleges

Campus Affiliates

Alert: The Plaza Building will remain closed through Jan. 20, 2025.

The Plaza Building will remain closed through Jan. 20, 2025. The Health Center is operating in a modified capacity. Call 303-615-9999 for appointment information during operating hours. Reminder, the Health Center is closed for the winter break Dec. 24 - Jan. 1.

Learn More

Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering