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.
Recent Publications
Overview of Brain Machine Interface research happening at BI
Related Press Releases & Articles
- April 6 @ 9:00 am
NETP Seminar: Dr. Nanthia Suthana
Join NETP to hear from Dr. Nanthia Suthana as she discusses Novel neurotechnologies for studying the human brain in the real world.
- August 12, 2022 / Press Release
Neuroregeneration and Cognition Challenge Seed Fund Awards
We are pleased to announce the funding selections for the MNI-BI 2022 Neuroregeneration and Cognition Challenge seed fund competition.
- August 4, 2022 / Award
2022 BI Innovator Awards
Congratulations to the 2022 BI Innovator Award Recipients. BI Innovator awards recognize members of the BI research community who are active participants in the research, innovation and translational ecosystem at BI and making a difference in our community.
- August 1, 2022 / Press Release
New members join BI’s External Advisory Board
BI welcomes Carl Gordon and Natasha Shervani of OrbiMed as new members of its External Advisory Board.
- February 14, 2022 @ 9:30 am
PhD Defense – Samuel Nason-Tomaszewski
Title: Restoring Fine Finger Control to Paralyzed Hands Using a Low-Power Brain-Controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation Neuroprosthesis
Chair: Cynthia Chestek
- November 9, 2021 @ 1:00 pm
BI Distinguished Lectureship Series with Dr. Jerrold L. Vitek
Join us on November 9th for a Distinguished Lecture by Dr. Jerrold L. Vitek.
- October 1, 2021 / Article
Individual finger control for advanced prostheses demonstrated in primates
Developed by the Chestek lab, an electrode array implanted in the brain predicts finger motions in near real time.
- July 20, 2021 / Article
Newly developed implantable carbon fiber electrode developed by Chestek and Bruns labs
The tiny, implantable carbon fiber electrode developed jointly by Cindy Chestek and Tim Bruns shows promise as a long-term brain-computer interface.
- July 9, 2021 @ 9:00 am
PhD Defense – Hans Zander
Title: Computational Modeling of Spinal Cord Stimulation for Inspiratory Muscle Activation and Chronic Pain Management
Chair: Scott Lempka
- May 17, 2021 / Award
2021 BI Innovator Awardees
Congratulations to the 2021 BI Innovator Award Recipients. BI Innovator awards recognize members of the BI research community who are active participants in the research, innovation and translational ecosystem at BI and making a difference in our community.
- April 1, 2021 / Article
Recent BI Publications
Publications from BI Research Groups in March
- March 1, 2021 / Article
Recent BI Publications
Publications from BI Research Groups in February
- February 1, 2021 / Article
Recent BI Publications
Publications from BI Research Groups in January
- December 1, 2020 / Article
Recent BI Publications
Publications from BI Research Groups in November
- November 5, 2020 / Article
Scott Lempka discusses mathematical models to study neurotechnologies
Scott Lempka discusses mathematical models to study neurotechnologies
- October 30, 2020 / Article
Recent BI Publications
Publications from BI Research Groups in October
- October 13, 2020 / Award
Chestek Receives Frankel Innovation Initiative Award
Cynthia Chestek and collaborator Paul Cederna received funding from the inaugural round of the Frankel Innovation Initiative for their project on Peripheral Nerve Interfaces for Prosthetic Hand Control.
- September 30, 2020 / Article
Recent BI Publications
Publications from BI Research Groups in September
- July 31, 2020 / Article
Recent BI Publications
Publications from BI Research Groups in July
- July 23, 2020 / Article
The Stacey Lab reports on new Approaches to Study Seizures and Understand Epilepsy
William (Bill) Stacey is part of the team proposing new approaches to study seizures and understand epilepsy.
Our Neural Engineering Researchers
Neural Engineering Publications
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James Weiland
Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:weiland@umich.eduThe 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.
Cindy Chestek
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:cchestek@umich.eduThe 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.
Enrico Opri
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:eopri@umich.eduThe 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.
Scott Lempka
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Anesthesiology Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:lempka@umich.eduLempka’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.
Tim Bruns
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:bruns@umich.eduBruns’ research group is developing microelectrode interfaces with the nervous system for functional control and investigating systems-level neurophysiology.
William Stacey
Associate Professor of Neurology and Biomedical Engineering Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:wstacey@umich.eduThe 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.