Robert (Bob) Peckyno is the Communication Specialist for all projects housed within the SmartTech Research Group in the Rehabilitation Science and Technology (RST) Department at the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to working at Pitt, Robert was most recently an Instructor and the Public Information Representative for the School of History, Philosophy, and Religion at Oregon State University. (OSU)
Robert has a diverse background beginning with an undergraduate degree in Recording Industry Management and Mass Communications from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) where he worked to create and promote the careers of country megastars Garth Brooks, Tricia Yearwood, and many others. He has two master's degrees: one from the University of North Dakota (UND) where his research explored communication and dissemination protocols and challenges related to the asteroid hazard and another from OSU where he used GIS to quantify lava flow morphology and worked on the NASA/ESA Cassini mission radar analysis team. As an instructor at OSU, he developed the first ever university course focused on the untold women's history of outer space. When not working professionally, he is a composer and pianist with ten released albums who can be occasionally found busking in random spots around Pittsburgh.