Dr. Christen Mendonca, originally from Massachusetts, has a PhD in Rehab Sciences and is very interested in research revolving around people with Disabilities.

He joined UAB in the Wharf building in May of 2021. His main focus is how video games can help people with physical disabilities become more active and healthy.

Currently, he is using pilot grant funding awarded by CEDHARS in February 2022 to potentially develop a new revolution to the gaming experience – this time with regards to inclusivity and accessibility.

“Instead of trying to work with active video games that already existed, I tried it from a different perspective where I was just trying to adapt the controls of a sedentary game to be exercise,” Mendonca said.

He also joined team sports of wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby with the Lakeshore Foundation. He is a member of the Birmingham Hammers, one of nine teams in the USA Wheelchair Football League, and a member of the Lakeshore Storm, a Division III team in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association.