9510092 Congleton This award provides funding for the establishment of an Industry/University Cooperative Research Center in Ergonomics at Texas A&M University. The research activities of the Center will contribute to the technology and information base necessary to evaluate and redesign existing workplace environments and work methods and to provide the leadership for the effective design of future work systems. The Center will provide an opportunity for industry to coordinate and direct research objectives in response to safety, health, and ergonomic guidelines and standards that are being adopted. A focused research program will span interdisciplinary fields aimed at reducing injury/illness rates; reducing cumulative trauma disorders; reducing costs; increasing productivity; and developing responses and research for increased regulatory activity. These technical programs are well developed and aimed at solving key problems of both academic and practical importance that will enhance and extend the reputation of the Center and encourage growth in membership. The Principal Investigators are competent researchers, actively engaged in research within the area of interest to the Center and it is their reputations that have resulted in the commitment of 10 companies to support the new Center. Their proven leadership skills should help ensure the success of the Center. The Program Manager recommends that Texas A&M University be awarded $50,000 for the first year of a five-year continuing award. Near the end of each 12-month period the Program Manager and/or the Division Director of the Engineering Education Centers Division will review the progress of the Center on a number of renewal criteria, including the following: 1) the extent to which the university/industry interaction is developing; 2) the extent to which the support base is developing; and 3) the extent to which a robust research is developing. If the review is satisfactory, the Program M anager will recommend support for the next period of this continuing award.
