It was inevitable. After the extraordinary work done at the RIC with Dr. Todd Kuiken and patient Jessie Sullivan (featured in Alive From Pop!Tech) to create the world’s first bionic man, there had to be the world’s first bionic woman. That woman is Claudia Mitchell.

Back in 2004, former U.S. Marine Mitchell, severed her arm in a motorcycle accident. After reading about Kuiken’s work in a magazine, she was put in contact with the RIC and in 2005 underwent survey to fit her with a bionic limb. She is the fourth person–the first woman to undergo this kind of surgery.

“It is so rewarding for me as a physician and a scientist to lead research with the potential to positively impact the lives of amputees, including our U.S. service men and women,” said Dr. Kuiken. “On behalf of RIC, my team and I consider it a great honor to be able to serve our country and the individuals with disabilities around the world in this way.”

photo credit: Dayna Smith, Washington Post