Professional Summary:

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.

Education and Training:

• MS, Cerebrovascular Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin (2014)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Göttingen (2012)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Bionic Medicine, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (2010)
• PhD, Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University (2009)
• MS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Florida (2002)
• BS, Engineering, Jadavpur University (1999)

Employment:

• Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York (2016-present)
• Co-founder and Chief Advisor, NeuroTrix LLC (2015-present)
• Visiting Researcher, Dept. Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Germany (2016)
• Starting Research Scientist, Sophia Antipolis - Méditerranée center, Inria, the French National Institute for computer science and applied mathematics, University of Montpellier, France (2012–2015)
• Engineering Specialist, Janelia Farm Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2008–2009)
• Graduate Research Assistant, Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University (2004–2008)
• Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant, Engineering Science and Mechanics/Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2003)
• Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida (2000–2002)
• Assistant Systems Analyst, Mumbai SEEPZ SDF III, Tata Consultancy Services, India (1999–2000)

Awards and Honors:

• IFESS Travel Award (2012)
• Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, Germany (2010)
• Grand Prize for research poster at Research ShowCASE2008, Cleveland (2008)
• First Prize for research poster at Research ShowCASE2007, Cleveland (2007)
• Certificate of Outstanding Academic Achievement at University of Florida (2002)
• Tau Beta Pi membership (2002)
• Merit prize at NASA Tech Briefs/Emhart Teknologies “Create the Future” Design Contest (2002)