Neural engineering and rehabilitation research applies neuroscience and engineering methods to analyze central and peripheral nervous system function and to design clinical solutions for neurological disorders or injury. Through the application of basic science and engineering techniques, neural engineers develop methods to analyze and control the nervous system and associated organ systems.
Research in neural engineering at Case Western Reserve University is bolstered through collaboration and proximity to world-class healthcare facilities. Faculty, research associates and students in the Department of Biomedical Engineering work in three national centers of education and research in neural engineering and rehabilitation. Our research teams collaborate with four local major medical facilities: MetroHealth Medical Center, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center.
The Department of Biomedical Engineering has ongoing research and applications in neural engineering and rehabilitation in several areas that allow our team to move ideas from basic science through experimental testing to clinical deployment. These areas include:
Neuromodulation – Clinical and experimental technologies for treating and managing consequences of stroke, epilepsy, pain, spinal cord injury, genitourinary function, movement disorders, autonomic functions and psychiatric disorders.
Prosthetics and Orthotics – Implanted devices to directly communicate with the nervous system functions for the control of assistive technologies, as well as provide sensory feedback in amputee prosthetics.
Neural Interfaces – Design of both stimulating and recording electrode technologies for interfacing with the nervous system. In the central nervous system, research is focused on brain computer interfaces and deep brain stimulation to restore function in patients with neurological disorders, such as paralysis. In the peripheral nervous system, novel interfacing technology targets small somatic and autonomic nerves.
Neural and Biomechanical Computation – The use of computational models to simulate the dynamics of the nervous system and musculoskeletal system during movement in order to gain insight into the underlying neural and biomechanical processes. These models are used to develop new treatments and interventions for nervous system disorders disorders, as well as to design more effective prosthetics and other assistive technologies.
Computational tools are also applied to develop and understand neural circuit function and dynamics.
Affiliated Labs and Centers
- Advanced Platform Technology Center
- Autonomic Neural Prostheses and Neurophysiology Laboratory
- Case Neuromodulation Center
- Cleveland Functional Electrical Stimulation Center (FES)
- Functional Neural Interface Lab (FNI)
- Jenkins Laboratory, Biomedical Optics
- Neural Engineering Center
- Neurological Surgery Imaging Laboratory
- Restoring Lower Limb Neural Connection Laboratory (ReLLiNC)
Faculty
Abhinav Acharya, PhD
Associate ProfessorBiomedical EngineeringCase School of EngineeringMemberCancer Imaging ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: axa1826@case.edu
Abidemi Bolu Ajiboye, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of Engineering, School of MedicineEmail: abidemi.ajiboye@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.6814
Jeffrey Capadona, PhD
Vice Provost for InnovationDonell Institute ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of Engineering, School of MedicinePrincipal InvestigatorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCapadona LabSenior Research Career ScientistLouis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical CenterEmail: jeffrey.capadona@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.5486
Patrick Crago, PhD
Professor EmeritusDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of Engineering, School of MedicineEmail: patrick.crago@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.3977
Dominique M. Durand, PhD
Elmer Lincoln Lindseth Professor in Biomedical EngineeringDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of Engineering, School of MedicineProfessorDepartment of Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceCase School of EngineeringProfessorDepartment of NeurosciencesSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of Physiology and BiophysicsSchool of MedicineDirectorNeural Engineering CenterDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of EngineeringSchool of MedicineDistinguished University ProfessorEmail: dominique.durand@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.3974
Emily Graczyk, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of Engineering, School of MedicineEmail: emily.graczyk@case.edu
Kenneth J. Gustafson, PhD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of Engineering, School of MedicineEmail: kenneth.gustafson@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.8626
Ana G. Hernandez Reynoso, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of EngineeringMichael Jenkins, PhD
Associate ProfessorBiomedical EngineeringCase School of Engineering, School of MedicineMemberCancer Imaging ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterEmail: michael.jenkins@case.edu
Robert Kirsch, PhD
ChairDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of Engineering, School of MedicineExecutive DirectorCleveland Functional Electrical Stimulation CenterAllen H. and Constance T. Ford ProfessorProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of Engineering, School of MedicineEmail: robert.kirsch@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.4063
Michael Moffitt, PhD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of Engineering, School of MedicineEmail: michael.moffitt@case.edu
Luke Osborn, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of EngineeringEmail: luke.osborn@case.edu
P. Hunter Peckham, PhD
Distinguished University ProfessorAssociate Director of Technology TransferDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCleveland FES CenterProfessor EmeritusDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of Engineering, School of MedicineEmail: p.peckham@case.edu
Phone: 216.778.3480
Christopher Pulliam, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of Engineering, School of MedicineEmail: christopher.pulliam@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.3138
Andrew Shoffstall, PhD
Nord Distinguished Associate ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of Engineering, School of MedicineInterim Faculty DirectorSears think[box]Email: andrew.shoffstall@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.1213
Ronald J. Triolo, PhD
ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of Engineering, School of MedicineExecutive DirectorAdvanced Platform Technology Center of the Department of Veterans AffairsEmail: ronald.triolo@case.edu
Phone: 216.791.3800
Dustin Tyler, PhD
DirectorHuman FusionsDirectorFunctional Neural Interface LabAssociate DirectorCleveland Advanced Platform for TechnologyKent H. Smith Professor II of Biomedical EngineeringProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of Engineering, School of MedicineEmail: dustin.tyler@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.0319
Matthew Williams, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of Engineering, School of MedicineEmail: matthew.williams@case.edu
Research Faculty
Musa Audu
Research ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of EngineeringEmail: musa.audu@case.edu
Phone: 216.791.3800 ext. 3821
Chia-Chu Chiang
Research Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of EngineeringEmail: chia-chu.chiang@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.3580
Allison Hess-Dunning, PhD
Research Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of EngineeringAdjunct Clinical ProfessorDepartment of Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceCase School of EngineeringResearch InvestigatorDepartment of Veterans AffairsLouis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical CenterEmail: allison.hess@case.edu
Grant McCallum
Research Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringNeural Engineering CenterCase School of EngineeringEmail: grant.mccallum@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.6962
Anandakumar Shunmugavel, PhD
Research Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of EngineeringEmail: axs2917@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.3135
Affiliated Faculty
Name | Title | Contact Information |
---|---|---|
Alberts, Jay |
Assistant Professor |
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine Molecular Medicine Phone: 216.445.322 Fax: .216.444.9198 Fmail: jay.alberts@case.edu |
Burgess, Richard C. |
Adjunct Professor |
Cleveland Clinic Foundation Department of Neurology Phone: 216.444.7008 Fax: 216.445.4378 Email: burgesr@ccf.org |
Chae, John |
Professor |
MetroHealth Medical Center Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Phone: 216.778.3472 Fax: 216.778.5560 Email: jchae@metrohealth.org |
Chiel, Hillel J. |
Professor |
Case Western Reserve University Biology Phone: 216.368.3846 Fax: 216.368.4672 Email: hillel.chiel@case.edu |
Jenkins, Michael |
Assistant Professor |
University Hospitals Pediatrics Email: michael.jenkins@case.edu |
Kilgore, Kevin |
Adjunct Assistant Professor |
MetroHealth Medical Center Orthopaedics Phone: 216.778.3801 Fax: 216.778.8409 Email: kevin.kilgore@case.edu |
Taylor, Dawn |
Assistant Professor |
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine Lerner Research Institute Phone: 216.778.3480 Fax: 216.778.4259 Email: dawn.taylor@case.edu, taylord8@ccf.org |