Jared Grier

About Jared Grier

“Small solutions can make a big difference.”

That belief drives Jared Grier’s work as a Rehabilitation Engineer at Shepherd Center’s Center for Assistive Technologies. Since joining Shepherd in 2021, Jared has combined engineering expertise with lived experience to design custom solutions that restore independence and dignity for people with spinal cord injuries and other mobility challenges.

Jared leads the Assistive Technology Workshop at the James C. Cox Innovation Institute, where he collaborates with therapists and patients to create adaptive devices that solve everyday frustrations — from applying deodorant to playing piano. His innovations, including the Deodorant Grasping Aid and SelfFeeder, have earned national recognition from the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals (ASCIP) and are now helping individuals across the country. To Jared, assistive technology is about more than mechanics; it’s about enabling people to reclaim the activities that bring joy and meaning to their lives.

Research specialties

• Adaptive device design and development
• 3D printing applications in rehabilitation
• User-centered engineering for independence

Education & training

• B.S., Mechanical Engineering – Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2019

Why his work matters

Jared knows firsthand how life changes after a spinal cord injury. After his own injury in 2015, he spent three months at Shepherd Center as a patient, participating in intensive therapy and early-stage research. That experience fuels his passion for creating solutions that matter.

“It may not seem exciting, but enabling someone to use their favorite deodorant or play music again can have a profound effect.”

Beyond Shepherd

Outside of work, Jared enjoys personal engineering projects, gaming, and spending time with his partner and their dog. His commitment to innovation extends beyond the clinic — always looking for ways technology can make life easier and more fulfilling for people with disabilities.