dr.ir. K. Nizamis (Kostas)

My name is Kostas Nizamis (1988 Kavala,Greece) and I am an Assistant Professor in Multidisciplinary Design at the Design, Production, & Management (DPM) department at the University of Twente. I graduated as electrical and computer engineer (M.Eng) from the Democritus University of Thrace in Xanthi, Greece. After that, I acquired my degree in Biomedical Engineering (MSc.) at the University of Twente. Between November 2014 and February 2019, I performed my Ph.D. research in the department of Biomechanical Engineering, at the University of Twente, in Symbionics 1.3: Intention Amplifying in Hand Orthoses. In this project, we developed and tested a myocontrolled hand exoskeleton for people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpHjlFM0t3Y).

My current research interests involve the application of Systems Engineering tools methods, and processes in developing and validating technologies (rehabilitation, high-tech, robotics, smart objects, etc.) to address high-impact societal problems.

I am currently serving as the vice-chairman of the Optimus Association (https://www.utwente.nl/en/et/dpm/optimus/) of the DPM department of the University of Twente, and as Director of Transfer for the Non-Profit Organization Authentia (If interested visit our website or our pages on Facebook and LinkedIn!). Additionally, I am a member of the Young Academy Twente (Working group on Education).

Engineering & Materials Science

# Electromyography
# Exoskeleton (Robotics)
# Motion Sensors
# Patient Rehabilitation
# Robotics

Medicine & Life Sciences

# Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
# Hand
# Rehabilitation

Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET), Systems Engineering & Multidisciplinary Design (SEMD)

My previous research focused on bio-signal analysis, hand and arm exoskeletons, intention detection, active support for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and daily -out of the lab- use of assistive devices. I participated in the development of an active myoelectric hand exoskeleton for people with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Currently, I am an Assistant Professor in Multidisciplinary Design. Complex design problems often dictate the integration of multiple disciplines and then need to steer them towards successful collaborative efforts that can effectively address such problems. My vision is to understand the various interactions between different disciplines when solving complex design problems and facilitate collaboration. Additionally, I am very interested in research ethics and how modern technology can have a positive impact on society, by considering the individual needs of the users and all the relevant ethical consequences.

Ahmed, U., Lenssen, J. A. , Nizamis, K. , Pereira Pessoa, M. V. , & Bonnema, G. M. (Accepted/In press). SASER in Practice: Early Insights from Two Case Studies Connected to Industry. Paper presented at Asia Oceania Systems Engineering Conference (AOSEC) 2023, Bangalore, India.

van Zijl, R., Raub, T. , van Rompay, T. J. L. , Nizamis, K. , & Bonnema, G. M. (2023). Involving Non-Technical Stakeholders in System Architecture Design; a Case-Study on the Cleaning Industry. In 33rd Annual INCOSE International Symposium 15–20 July 2023 — Honolulu, HI (pp. 998-1012). (INCOSE International Symposium; Vol. 33, No. 1). https://doi.org/10.1002/iis2.13066

Bos, M. I. , Karahanoğlu, A. , Haarman, J. , & Nizamis, K. (2023). A novel model for the material selection of smart objects for hand-rehabilitation: a case study+. In Proceedings of the Design Society, Volume 3: ICED23 (Vol. 3, pp. 353-363). (Proceedings of the Design Society). https://doi.org/10.1017/pds.2023.36

Morales, G. A. G. , Nizamis, K. , & Bonnema, G. M. (2023). Why is there complexity in engineering? A scoping review on complexity origins. In 2023 IEEE International Systems Conference (SysCon) https://doi.org/10.1109/SysCon53073.2023.10131068

Nizamis, K., Ayvaz, A. , Rijken, N. H. M. , Koopman, B. F. J. M. , & Sartori, M. (2023). Real-time myoelectric control of wrist/hand motion in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A case study. Frontiers in robotics and AI, 10, Article 1100411. https://doi.org/10.3389/frobt.2023.1100411

Mitsopoulos, K., Fiska, V., Tagaras, K., Papias, A., Antoniou, P. , Nizamis, K., Kasimis, K., Sarra, P-D., Mylopoulou, D., Savvidis, T., Praftsiotis, A., Arvanitidis, A., Lyssas, G., Chasapis, K., Moraitopoulos, A., Astaras, A., Bamidis, P. D., & Athanasiou, A. (2023). NeuroSuitUp: System Architecture and Validation of a Motor Rehabilitation Wearable Robotics and Serious Game Platform. Sensors, 23(6), Article 3281. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23063281

Garza Morales, G. A. , Nizamis, K. , & Bonnema, G. M. (2023). Engineering complexity beyond the surface: discerning the viewpoints, the drivers, and the challenges. Research in engineering design, 34(3), 367-400. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00163-023-00411-9

Hover, Q. R. M. , Karahanoğlu, A. , Nizamis, K. , Kottink, A. I. R. , Rietman, J. S. , & Haarman, J. A. M. (2023). Development of Interactive Hand Rehabilitation Tools Based on Activities of Daily Living. In TEI 2023 - Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction Article 45 https://doi.org/10.1145/3569009.3573115

Nizamis, K. , Vlutters, M., & Vander Poorten, E. (2022). Introduction to robotics for medical professionals. In Open Educational Resources on Enabling Technologies in Wearable and Collaborative Robotics (pp. 127 - 166)

Kilic-Bebek, E. , Nizamis, K. , Vlutters, M., Bebek, O., Karapars, Z. G. , Ünal, R., Yilmaz, D., & Ugurlu, B. (2022). Transdisciplinarity as a Learning Challenge: Student Experiences and Outcomes in an Innovative Course on Wearable and Collaborative Robotics. IEEE transactions on education, 66(3), 263-273. https://doi.org/10.1109/TE.2022.3229201

Bonnema, G. M. , Pereira Pessoa, M. V. , & Nizamis, K. (Accepted/In press). Spiral Approach for SE Research (SASER): mating research to practice. In Complex systems design & management

Schouten, M., van de Maat, P. , Nizamis, K. , & Krijnen, G. (2022). Evaluating 3D printed sEMG electrodes with silver ink traces using in-situ impedance measurements. In 2022 IEEE Sensors (IEEE Sensors; Vol. 2022). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/SENSORS52175.2022.9967266

Athanasiou, A., Mitsopoulos, K., Praftsiotis, A., Astaras, A., Antoniou, P., Pandria, N., Petronikolou, V., Kasimis, K., Lyssas, G., Terzopoulos, N., Fiska, V., Kartsidis, P., Savvidis, T., Arvanitidis, T., Chasapis, K., Moraitopoulos, A. , Nizamis, K., Kalfas, A., Iakovidis, P., ... Bamidis, P. (2022). Neurorehabilitation Through Synergistic Man-Machine Interfaces Promoting Dormant Neuroplasticity in Spinal Cord Injury: Protocol for a Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. JMIR research protocols, 11(9), Article e41152. https://doi.org/10.2196/41152

Hover, Q. R. M. , Karahanoglu, A. , Nizamis, K. , & Haarman, J. A. M. (2022). Smart daily-used objects for hand rehabilitation after stroke. Poster session presented at Rehab Week 2022, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Nizamis, K., van Dalen, M. , van Dun, D. H., Hermsen, E. M. P. , & Sullivan, B. P. (2022). Transdisciplinary Challenge-based Learning: Multi-Stakeholder Co-creation Combining Engineering Technology and Social Sciences. Poster session presented at 3rd Barcelona Conference on Education, BCE 2022, Barcelona, Spain.

Stefess, F. , Nizamis, K. , Haarman, J. , & Karahanoglu, A. (2022). Gr!pp: Integrating Activities of Daily Living into Hand Rehabilitation. In TEI 2022: Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction Article 3505572 (ACM International Conference Proceeding Series). Association for Computing Machinery. https://doi.org/10.1145/3490149.3505572

Nizamis, K. (2021). Redesign of the High-Tech Human Touch Minor From Idea to Prototype.

Shakila, N. U. , Nizamis, K. , Poortman, C. L. , & van der Veen, J. T. (2021). Interdisciplinary challenge-based learning: science to society: Science to Society. In H-U. Heiss, H-M. Jarvinen, A. Mayer, & A. Schulz (Eds.), Proceedings - SEFI 49th Annual Conference: Blended Learning in Engineering Education: Challenging, Enlightening - and Lasting? (pp. 1491-1499). (Proceedings - SEFI 49th Annual Conference: Blended Learning in Engineering Education: Challenging, Enlightening - and Lasting?). Societe Europeenne pour la Formation des Ingenieurs (SEFI).

Nizamis, K. (2021, Nov 4). Tutor guidelines: How to make your life easier and have fun while being a tutor.

Martinetti, A. , Chemweno, P. K. , Nizamis, K. , & Fosch Villaronga, E. (2021). Redefining Safety in Light of Human-Robot Interaction: A Critical Review of Current Standards and Regulations. Frontiers in chemical engineering, 3, Article 666237. https://doi.org/10.3389/fceng.2021.666237

Kapeller, A., Felzmann, H. , Fosch Villaronga, E. , Nizamis, K., & Hughes, A. M. (2021). Implementing Ethical, Legal, and Societal Considerations in Wearable Robot Design. Applied Sciences, 11(15), Article 6705. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11156705

Athanasiou, A., Antoniou, P., Pandria, N., Astaras, A. , Nizamis, K., Mitsopoulos, K., Praftsiotis, A., Arvanitidis, T., Apostolou, T., Magras, I., & Bamidis, P. (2021). Affect detection in rehabilitation using wearable robotics, multiple biosensors and serious gaming: a concept using the NeuroSuitUp platform. Abstract from 4th International Conference on Medical Education Informatics, MEI 2021.

Abbas, Y. , Martinetti, A. , Nizamis, K., Spoolder, S. , & van Dongen, L. A. M. (2021). Ready, trainer … one*! discovering the entanglement of adaptive learning with virtual reality in industrial training: a case study. Interactive learning environments. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2021.1940215

Nizamis, K., Athanasiou, A., Almpani, S., Dimitrousis, C., & Astaras, A. (2021). Converging Robotic Technologies in Targeted Neural Rehabilitation: A Review of Emerging Solutions and Challenges. Sensors (Switzerland), 21(6), Article 2084. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21062084

Kilic-Bebek, E. , Nizamis, K., Karapars, Z., Gokkurt , A., Unal, R., Bebek, O. , Vlutters, M., Vander Poorten, E. B., Borghesan , G., Decré, W., Aertbeliën, E., Borisova , O., Borisov, I., Kolyubin, S., & Ugurlu , B. (2020). Discussing Modernizing Engineering Education through the Erasmus + Project Titled "Open Educational Resources on Enabling Technologies in Wearable and Collaborative Robotics (WeCoRD). Abstract from 3rd International Instructional Technologies in Engineering Education Symposium IITEE , Izmir, Turkey.

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I am strongly committed to educational innovation through implementing challenge-based learning in order to bridge education with research and industry and promote the development of student’s 21st-century skills. Currently, I am the coordinator of the HTHT Minor Science 2 Society where I apply Challenge-Base Learning principles to facilitate interdisciplinary learning (https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/electives/minor/offer/htht-minors/#htht-%E2%80%93-minor-packages-215-ec).

Additionally, I am teaching design engineering and systems engineering for Mechanical engineering bachelor students and I am involved in the HTHT minor Biorobotics and the MSc. course Biomechatronics.

Currently, I am also serving as the secretary of the Programme Committee for the BSc. and MSc. of Industrial Design Engineering (more information here)

Bachelor

Master

Courses in the current academic year are added at the moment they are finalised in the Osiris system. Therefore it is possible that the list is not yet complete for the whole academic year.

I worked as an MSc. student at the Flextension A-Gear project where I developed the myoelectric control of an active arm exoskeleton for people with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Subsequently, I finished my Ph.D. in the Symbionics project where I participated in the development of a myocontrolled active hand exoskeleton for people with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Currently, I am working on the Erasmus + Project WeCord, where we develop Open Educational Resources on Enabling Technologies in Wearable and Collaborative Robotics.