The Occupational Ergonomics Technical Group (OETG) is proposing to rename the Best Experimental Paper Award in honor of Dr. David M. Rempel, Professor Emeritus at UCSF and UC Berkeley, and founder of the UC Ergonomics Program. The award would be renamed to:
"David M. Rempel Award for Best Experimental Paper in Occupational Ergonomics"
This naming would formally recognize Dr. David M. Rempel's extensive and lasting contributions to the field of occupational ergonomics, particularly in experimental research that has directly informed workplace design, tool development, and the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries.
Dr. David M. Rempel is Professor Emeritus in Bioengineering at UC Berkeley and in the Division of Occupational, Environmental, and Medicine at UCSF. He earned his B.A. in Bioengineering from UC San Diego (1977), his M.P.H. in Epidemiology from UC Berkeley (1981), and his M.D. from UCSF (1981).
In 1990–1991, he founded the UC Ergonomics Research Laboratory and Training Program, which was established to foster rigorous experimental work on workplace design, human–tool interaction, and the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries. Throughout his career, Dr. Rempel has made significant contributions to understanding upper-extremity fatigue, tendon and nerve injuries, hand tool design, keyboard and input device ergonomics, and occupational biomechanical risk factors. He has been recognized with numerous honors, including the IEA Prize in Occupational Safety and Ergonomics and the Centennial Health Achievement Award in Occupational Medicine, among others.
Dr. Rempel is a Certified Professional Ergonomist, was a member of national and international committees on cumulative trauma and musculoskeletal disorders and has mentored many graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. His career exemplifies a high standard in experimental work in ergonomics. David has been an active member of HFES and OETG.
We invite you to cast your vote on this proposal using this form:
https://hfes.formstack.com/forms/oetg_award_ballot
🔹 Please note: Only current OETG members are eligible to vote.
If you are not yet a member but wish to participate in this decision, we encourage you to join OETG before casting your vote.
Please submit your vote by November 1st, 2025.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement with OETG.
Sincerely,
OETG Leadership Team
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Yadrianna Acosta-Sojo, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Center for Occupational Safety, Ergonomics, and Injury Prevention
3323F Shelby Center
345 W Magnolia Ave,
Auburn University, AL 36849
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