Bioinstrumentation & medical devices

Graphic of the brain and a few of its parts, indicating Cd, Th, IC, GP, Pu, SN and STN.

How brains respond to stimulation therapies

Matthew Johnson’s research lab aims to understand how the nervous system responds and adapts to stimulation-based therapies, such as deep brain stimulation. Their studies are improving these therapies to help people with Parkinson's disease and Essential Tremor reclaim control over their motor function.

Graphical renderings of two technologies: 1) Neural beamforming for tinnitus (shows person with arrows indicating input of stress level, attention level, offactory, gustatory, visual, sound), and 2) Enhanced hearing aid in humans (shows rendering of a man's head with electronic device connected to his ear)

Technologies to treat hearing issues and pain

Hubert Lim’s lab develops neural interfaces and medical technologies, working with clinicians and companies to bring ideas to trials so they can potentially become real-world solutions. The team uses approaches like electrical stimulation and neural recordings, with a focus on hearing loss, tinnitus, and pain.

infographic of edgar pena's research, showing how he combines modeling, electrophysiology, and data science methods to understand emerging methods for selective modulation of the nervous system

Advanced technology for nerve stimulation therapies

The Precision Electroceutical Research Lab (PERL) develops nerve stimulation therapies that combine advanced computational tools with recordings from the nervous system. This work aims to create safe, energy-based treatment options for diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurological disorders.

Text says "arrhythmia", with three images. Graph above showing reduction in heart rhythm variation. Colorful VT and VF scans below showing what heart looks like at that time.

Prediction and prevention of cardiac arrhythmias

Alena Talkachova’s group visualizes electrical activity in the heart and small patches of cardiac tissue. They use nonlinear dynamics approaches to predict transition from normal to abnormal cardiac rhythms, and to prevent arrhythmias in the heart. They also develop novel tools to guide mapping-specific ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Robotic arm

Implantable brain chips

Zhi Yang’s lab studies the emerging area of implantable brain devices that can understand thoughts, such as to help amputees control robotic limbs or enable new electroceuticals. They’re developing neural recording, processing, and stimulation chips, and have devices in clinical trials.