Neural Engineering
This cluster focuses on the development of methods to probe the nervous system and to generate novel neural interfaces.
Through a combination of expertise from biomedical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering and neuroscience, this cluster aims at understanding the nervous system. The ongoing research within the neural engineering cluster spans the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system using computational as well as in-vivo models in pre-clinical and clinical settings. Research topics include electrode and prosthesis development, big data analysis of EEG, neuromodulation approaches.
Overview of Brain Machine Interface research happening at BI
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Enrico Opri
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:[email protected]The Opri research lab focuses on the exploration of the neurophysiological activity in the basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits in humans affected by neurological disorders (such as Parkinson’s, Tourette, Essential Tremor, Epilepsy), while investigating how neuromodulation (Deep Brain Stimulation, cortical stimulation mapping) alters these networks to bring a therapeutic benefit. Our goal is to engineer novel methodologies for the automatization and enhancement of clinical procedures in the field of neuromodulation.
James Weiland
Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:[email protected]The mission of Dr. Weiland and the BioElectronic Vision Lab (BEVL) is to create and translate technological solutions for visual dysfunction. We investigate the fundamental mechanisms through which implantable and wearable electronic systems interact with the visual system and other sensory modalities, and the long term consequences of such systems on the functional and anatomical organization of the visual system. Based on this understanding, we create and optimize medical devices designed to improve the quality of life for the visually impaired.
Scott Lempka
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Anesthesiology Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:[email protected]Lempka’s Neuromodulation Lab uses computational models combined with experimental measurements to characterize clinical neurostimulation therapies for chronic pain management. Particular research areas include spinal cord stimulation and deep brain stimulation.
Cindy Chestek
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:[email protected]The Chestek lab focuses on brain machine interface (BMI) systems using 100 channel arrays implanted in motor and pre-motor cortex. The goal is to eventually develop clinically viable systems to enable paralyzed individuals to control prosthetic limbs, as well as their own limbs using functional electrical stimulation and assistive exoskeletons.
William Stacey
Associate Professor of Neurology and Biomedical Engineering Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:[email protected]The Stacey lab is dedicated to developing better implantable devices to control epilepsy. The lab uses a combination of electrophysiology, machine learning, signal processing, and computational modeling. Data for these projects are acquired from a large database of human patients, an ongoing pilot clinical trial in patients undergoing surgical implantation of electrodes, and from rodent models of epilepsy. The lab is specifically researching the relationship of high frequency oscillations with seizure mechanisms, and developing methods to target and stimulate the brain to stop seizures.
Matthew Willsey
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:[email protected]The Willsey lab focuses on intracortical brain-computer interfaces (iBCIs) as a potential therapy for paralysis. They aim to help develop an entry-level iBCI system for paralyzed human patients to address needs that cannot be met by today’s assistive technologies. Their research focuses on developing multi-effector control for fine motor movements and digital interfaces using non-linear decoding algorithms and novel approaches to expand functionality and account for neural instability.
Tim Bruns
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:[email protected]Bruns’ research group is developing microelectrode interfaces with the nervous system for functional control and investigating systems-level neurophysiology.