Seminars

PRESENTER INFORMATION

ABSTRACT:

The human nervous system is a dynamic, adaptive network, capable of remarkable recovery in some circumstances, and yet resistant in others.  Understanding and leveraging this ability is central to the future of neurotechnology and neuroscience.  In this seminar, I will present two complementary strands of my research program, focusing on both engineering and understanding brain network resilience.  In the first part, I will explore the field of electroceuticals, or electrical therapeutics, as a means of modulating neural systems whose complete internal structure is unknown, treating it as a "black box" and using closed-loop algorithms to optimize stimulation waveforms for maximal therapeutic effect.  I will discuss how algorithmic design, informed by real-time neural feedback, can uncover effective stimulation strategies without requiring complete mechanistic models.  In the second part of the seminar, I will introduce our emerging work on quantifying and characterizing cognitive reserve, which is the latent capacity of the brain to maintain function despite aging and pathology.  I will explore the use of dynamic brain network markers derived from high-density EEG, and how graph-theoretic and time-resolved connectivity metrics can serve as potential biomarkers for reserve.  The goal would be to better understand how such measures could inform personalized neurostimulation approaches.