BME7900 Seminar Series - Lan Luan, PhD

Description

We next welcome Dr. Lan Luan from Rice Unviersity as our seminar speaker. Dr. Luan is an Associate Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Ultraflexible Neural Electrodes for Bi-directional, Long-lasting Neural Interface

Abstract: The brain is the most complex system in the human body. Neurotechnology capable of detecting the faults and restoring lost functions in the injured or disordered brain must be able to interface with the nervous tissue bi-directionally, at high spatiotemporal resolutions, and over extended periods. In this talk, I will discuss our efforts on developing ultraflexible electrodes to meet these needs and their applications on studying neurological disorders. These efforts center on developing the NanoElectronic Threads (NETs), currently the thinnest, most flexible penetrating electrode, for scar-free tissue integration and long-lasting intracortical recording; for high-resolution intracortical microstimulation; for high-quality, single-unit recording in the spinal cord during free behavior, and for integration with closed opposed optical imaging. These neurotechnology advances enable new opportunities for understanding and potentially treating a broad spectrum of neurological disorders and injuries.

Bio: Dr. Luan received her B. S. from the University of Science and Technology of China, Ph. D. at Stanford University, and performed her postdoc research at Harvard University, all in the department of Physics. She worked at UT Austin from 2014 – 2019 as a research scientist and then as a research assistant professor, where she made the transition from quantum physics to neural engineering. She joined faculty at Rice University in fall 2019 and is currently an associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Bioengineering, and as a core faculty member of Rice Neuroengineering Initiative. She is the recipient of NIH Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award and American Heart Association Scientist Development Award.