Jackie Cha Named NSC Rising Star of Safety Class of 2026

Jackie Cha, Patricia Flatley Brennan Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin – Madison Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, was named to the NSC Rising Stars of Safety Class of 2026 according to Safety+Health Magazine.

Research Focus on Surgical Staff Pain

Over 80% of surgical staff report work-related musculoskeletal pain, sometimes severe enough to force early career departure. Cha addressed this issue through an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality-funded initiative examining exoskeletons for workforce protection.

Exoskeleton Evaluation During Live Surgeries

Her team conducted the first evaluation of passive arm-support exoskeletons during live surgeries. Results published in the Journal of Safety Research showed measurable reductions in physical demands on surgical team members holding prolonged, static postures according to Safety+Health Magazine.

Recognition Details

The NSC Rising Star of Safety designation highlights Cha’s contributions at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. The announcement appeared in Safety+Health Magazine on August 21, 2026.