Carnegie Mellon University

Neural Engineering

Research in Neural Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University merges CMU's core strengths in fundamental engineering, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and micromechanical device design with our fundamental and applied neuroscience thrusts. This research benefits from synergistic interactions with our research partners such as BrainHub and the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, as well as close collaborative ties with clinical institutions.

Key focus areas within Neural Engineering include Brain-Computer Interfaces, Neural Modulation, and Neural Imaging.

Research within Neural Engineering includes the basic mechanistic research of and development of novel systems neuroengineering technologies for sensing, interfacing, imaging, and modulating the nervous systems. These include, but are not limited to, brain-computer interfaces for use in paralysis, neural stimulation device design for sensory and motor prostheses and basic science research, and neural recording and imaging devices ranging from the micro- to the macro- scale.

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Alison Barth

Professor, Biological Sciences and Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests

Activity-dependent gene expression in the CNS; the cellular and synaptic mechanisms that underlie learning and memory; the effect of behavioral training on neural excitability and anatomy

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Maysam Chamanzar

Dr. William D. and Nancy W. Strecker Career Development Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests

Neural engineering; multimodal (electro-acousto-optical) neural interfacing; bio-photonics; optogenetics; bio-sensing

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Steven M. Chase

Professor, Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience Institute

Research Interests

Brain-computer interfaces; neural engineering; motor learning; motor control

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Tzahi (Itzhaq) Cohen-Karni

Professor, Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering

Research Interests

Nano-biotechnology; nano-bio interfaces; nanomaterials synthesis; biomedical applications of nanowires/nanotubes; biomedical nanodevices/sensors

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Hartmut Geyer

Associate Professor, Robotics Institute and Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests

Legged dynamics and control; motor control of human locomotion; powered prosthetics; humanoid robotics

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Aryn Gittis

Professor, Biological Sciences and Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests

Electrophysiology; optogenetics; neural circuits; movement disorders

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Pulkit Grover

Angel Jordan Career Development Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Neuroscience Institute, and Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests

Theory, noninvasive neural sensing and stimulation

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Bin He

Trustee Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Neuroscience Institute

Research Interests

Electrophysiological source imaging; brain-computer interface; neuromodulation; inverse problem; functional neuroimaging; tissue electrical property imaging

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Jana Kainerstorfer

Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests

Biomedical optics; neurophotonics; neural sensing; medical devices; optical imaging of cerebral perfusion; portable optical devices for disease monitoring; clinical translation of optical devices; bedside monitoring of cerebral trauma

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Shawn K. Kelly

Adjunct Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering; Senior Systems Scientist, Engineering Research Accelerator; Research Biomedical Engineer, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System

Research Interests

Retinal prostheses for the blind; neural prostheses; neural stimulation circuitry; wireless power and data telemetry for medical devices;  hermetic packaging for medical devices

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O. Burak Ozdoganlar

Ver Planck Professor, Mechanical Engineering; Associate Director, Engineering Research Accelerator; Courtesy, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering

Research Interests

Mechanics of micro-scale material removal; dynamics and vibrations of micro-scale structures and micromachining; novel micro/nano-manufacturing techniques and application-driven research

Rahul Panat research

Rahul Panat

Russell V. Trader Career Development Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests

Microscale 3D printing, bioengineering, neuroengineering, sensors, Li-ion batteries

bshinn-cunningham research pic

Barbara Shinn-Cunningham

Director, Carnegie Mellon Neuroscience Institute; Professor, Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, and Electrical & Computer Engineering

Research Interests

Auditory attention in normal and special populations; binaural and spatial hearing; subcortical and cortical sound processing; multi-sensory attention networks

msmith-research

Matthew A. Smith

Professor, Biomedical Engineering and Carnegie Mellon Neuroscience Institute

Research Interests

Neural engineering, visual perception, cognition, eye movements, neural circuits

Tim Verstynen research

Timothy Verstynen

Associate Professor, Psychology, Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition and Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests

Adaptive decision-making, cortico-basal ganglia pathways, white matter networks

doug weber research

Douglas J. Weber

Akhtar and Bhutta Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Neuroscience Institute and Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests

Neurorehabilitation, sensorimotor integration, brain-computer interfaces, biomechanics, motor control

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Victoria Webster-Wood

Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests

Bioinspired robotics; biohybrid robotics; cell & tissue engineering; biomaterials; organic actuators; organic control

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Sossena Wood

Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests

Ultrahigh field and high field magnetic resonance imaging, sickle cell disease, optical imaging, electromagnetic and thermal simulations, phantom

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Eric Yttri

Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, and Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests

Neurophysiology; circuit dynamics; computational neuroscience; motor control; reinforcement learning; tool development

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Byron Yu

Gerard G. Elia Career Development Professor, Biomedical Engineering and Electrical & Computer Engineering

Research Interests

Neural engineering; brain-computer interfaces; systems neuroscience; computational neuroscience; machine learning

Yongxin (Leon) Zhao research

Yongxin (Leon) Zhao

Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering and Biological Sciences

Research Interests

Bioengineering, cell and tissue engineering, diagnostic and therapeutic, expansion microscopy, nanoscale