Virginia Commonwealth University Wins People’s Choice for Golf Assistive Device Supporting Amputee Veteran
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) students took home the People’s Choice Award at the 2025 Capstone Design Expo for a remarkable biomedical project designed to help retired U.S. Navy veteran Judy Lemley reclaim her favorite sport: golf.
Titled Improved Grip for Golf Player with Digital Amputation of the Upper Extremity, the device was engineered to enhance grip strength and reduce impact vibrations caused by scar tissue and amputation-related nerve sensitivity. The team spent eight months working closely with their client—an avid golfer with an amputated left index finger and additional scarring on her left middle finger—to design and test custom solutions that would make golfing more comfortable and accessible.
“This has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I’m proud of what our team has accomplished,” said Kyia Hill, who shared the achievement on LinkedIn. The VCU team included Valentina Santos Agreda, Rachel Lauren Scardina, and Elna Manoj, under the mentorship of Henry Donahue and with support from QL Plus.
The project was not only technically rigorous—requiring careful prototyping and iterative user testing—but also emotionally meaningful. It showed the power of engineering when applied to personal challenges and everyday joys that many take for granted.
The team’s client trusted them to deliver a solution that could enhance her golfing experience without sacrificing comfort, accuracy, or safety. The final prototype included tailored grip modifications and vibration-reducing mechanisms designed specifically for her needs.
By combining empathy, engineering, and precision, the VCU team demonstrated exactly the kind of innovation QL Plus aims to inspire through its national university partnerships.
