As director of UB’s Neuroengineering and Informatics for Rehabilitation Laboratory (NIRlab), I conduct interdisciplinary research in neural engineering, the application of engineering to the neurosciences. My academic and research training in neurotechnology, motor rehabilitation, clinical neurophysiology and cerebrovascular medicine provides me with the expertise for translational research focused on developing computational models and hardware technologies for neural interfaces to monitor and activate beneficial neural function. My research transcends conventional academic boundaries in my overarching goal to treat, cure and even prevent neurological disorders using ‘electroceuticals’--bioelectronics that stimulate the nervous system. Specifically, my research is directed toward an enhanced understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms associated with the relearning of visomotor function. My special focus on neurorehabilitation uses neuroengineering and informatics to leverage human-machine interfaces. Here, the human brain and body act in concert with biofeedback and multilevel neurostimulation to promote neuroplasticity and lead to neurorestorative therapy. I am developing electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) and near-infrared spectroscopy-based (NIRS) portable multimodal imaging to understand skeletal, muscle and brain physiology during noninvasive electrical stimulation. If achieved, the bench-to-bedside translation of electroceuticals, developed through innovations in computational methods and instrumentation, will have a very high societal impact since neurological disorders—e.g., stroke and dementia-- will likely dramatically increase as the world population ages. I collaborate with researchers from industry and academia locally as well as from across the globe in conducting the interdisciplinary translational research of NIRlab. I welcome undergraduate, graduate engineering students and medical students to work with me. I am particularly interested in medical students who are focused on clinical neurophysiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, e.g. students from the departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics and the Rehabilitation Sciences. Additionally, I teach courses in neural and rehabilitation engineering. My courses are open to engineering students and medical students, especially those with interest in the application of engineering methods to the clinical neurophysiology and rehabilitation sciences.

Clinical Neurophysiology; Neurobiology; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation