Our research is focused on five major areas of Neuroengineering. The specific ongoing and sponsored projects are listed below. In the Neural Micro/Nano Systems area, we are interested in developing technologies for recording from neurons or brain and developing interfaces, at molecular/cellular and at systems level. We utilize MEMS and nanotechnology for fabricating sensors and VLSI circuits for interfacing to neurons and brain. An emerging, exciting project is to utilize micro/nano techniques to form genetically engineered neural networks. In the Neural Signal Analysis area, we analyze signals from neurons and brain using advanced mathematical/signal processing theories. The signal analysis results in interpretation of basic experiments, but also importantly clinically relevant tools of diagnosis of brain injury. The third concentration area is Neural Imaging, wherein we develop both optical and MRI imaging methodologies. The optical techniques are based on laser speckle and spectroscopy and MRI methods are based on diffusion tensor and fusion of T1/T2 weighted images. The fourth area is Neural Prosthesis, wherein we are part of a large team engaged in the development of neurally controlled upper limb prostheses. Our focus is to develop brain machine interface, signal analysis, control of multi-fingered dexterous prosthetic hand and sensory/haptic feedback. The final concentration area is Clinical Neuroengineering. First, our basic research projects study various models of brain injury (global ischemia/cardiac arrest, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, coma) using electrophysiological, histological and behavioral methods. Past and ongoing work has often reached a level of maturity to the point where we develop clinical monitors of brain injury. In collaboration with a start up founded from our lab, we are now developing and testing clinical grade instruments that are undergoing clinical trials in the Johns Hopkins neurocritical care and operating room environments.

• Dynamically Adaptable Neural Networks
• Self-Assembly of Biological and Physical Systems Into Multiscale Functional 3D Networks (with Andreou, Gracias, JHU)
• Integrated Electronics Interface to Neurotransmitter Sensor Array
• Power Harvesting in Implantable Neural Probes (with J. Harb, BYU)
• Microdialysis for Neuroscience Research

• Brain Electrical Activity Monitoring
• QEEG and QSpike: Brain Indicators of Temperature Manipulation after Cardiac Arrest
• Traumatic Brain Injury Detection in Neurocritical Care (with Infinite Biomedical Technologies)
• Cortical Health Index (with Infinite Biomedical Technologies)

• Functional Laser Speckle Brain Imaging
• Mechanism of Neurovascular Coupling
• Imaging and Modeling of Cortical Microvascular Dynamics

• Revolutionary Prosthesis (DARPA contract with S. Harshbarger, APL)
• Central Pattern Generator for Spinal Neuroprosthesis (with Etienne-Cummings, Cohen, JHU)

• Consequences of Cardiac Arrest: Brain Injury
• Cardiac Arrest: Neuroprotection by Hypothermia
• Spinal Cord Injury: Structure (Diffusion Tensor MRI) and Function (Evoked Potential)
• Image Guided Gene Expression in Spinal Cord Injury