A Michigan State University (MSU) researcher whose work focuses on improving mobility and preventing injury will be recognized at the upcoming MSU AgeAlive Education and Research Forum and Awards Ceremony.
Tamara Reid Bush, Ph.D., a professor of mechanical engineering and associate dean for inclusive excellence at MSU, will receive the Research in Aging Award at the 2026 AgeAlive Education & Research Forum and Awards Ceremony, “Advancing Mobility Across Settings As We Age,” on Thursday, March 26. The event brings together researchers, caregivers, and community members to explore ways to support aging populations.
The Research in Aging Award is presented annually to two MSU faculty members or teams for excellence in aging-related research that contributes to lifelong well-being through rigorous, innovative scholarship.
Reid Bush said the recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the real-world impact of her work.
“I was thrilled,” she said. “It really means a great deal to me.”
Her research focuses on biomechanics and mobility, with a particular emphasis on seating design and preventing pressure injuries — serious wounds that can affect individuals with limited mobility.
“I’ve been doing seating work ever since I started,” Reid Bush said. “Those experiences have come together to help inform the design and development of Sit Sense.”
Sit Sense is a specialized chair designed to help prevent pressure injuries, which can become severe if left untreated. Reid Bush said her interest in this area deepened as she began working more closely with patients and medical professionals.
One moment, in particular, changed her perspective.
“I was at a wound clinic talking to nurses about wheelchair users and their pressure injuries,” she said. “Then I saw how serious those wounds could be… and I realized, ‘Oh my goodness, these are terrible.’”
That experience pushed her to focus more on prevention.
“Thinking, ‘Wow, can we prevent people from getting these?’ — that’s what started this line of research,” she said.
Reid Bush said hearing directly from families has been one of the most rewarding parts of her work. After early media coverage of Sit Sense, many people reached out hoping to access the technology.
“Many folks reached out to us and said, ‘Can we buy this chair?’” she said. “I’ve had a son who’s been injured… or a spouse I’m trying to take care of — and I think this chair would help them.”
She said those responses continue to motivate her.
“The fact that people want to buy it now is a wonderful feeling,” she said. “It shows how much something like this could help.”
Reid Bush’s background combines engineering and medicine. Inspired by her father, a veterinarian, she developed an early interest in orthopedic work and understanding how the body moves.
“I always had an interest in medicine,” she said. “And engineering was something I was naturally excited about.”
Throughout her career, she has worked across industries, including automotive, office, and medical seating, while also studying conditions like arthritis and mobility limitations.
Her goal has remained the same: to create solutions that improve people’s daily lives.
“What gives me gratification is doing things that I know will benefit others,” she said.
Looking ahead, Reid Bush plans to continue expanding her research, including designing devices for underserved populations.
“One of the things that’s understudied is our larger population,” she said. “Most devices are not designed for larger individuals.”
She also emphasized the importance of listening to the people her work is meant to help.
“Until you really work with the community… you won’t know if they want it, need it, or will use it,” she said.
Beyond research, Reid Bush is passionate about mentoring students and encouraging others to get involved in meaningful work.
“Show up and speak up,” she said. “Attend a meeting, ask questions, volunteer — that’s how you get started.”
The AgeAlive Forum will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in East Lansing, with additional viewing options in Ishpeming and online. The awards ceremony begins at 1 p.m.
For Reid Bush, the recognition is not just about past work, but about what comes next.
“I see this as saying, ‘You are doing things that will help others,’” she said. “And that means a great deal to me.”
For more information on the forum and awards ceremony, visit: MSU AgeAlive Awards – AgeAlive