My interest in neuroscience surfaced when I joined a neuroscience research laboratory as a sophomore. As my understanding of the nervous system grew, I quickly developed an interest in volitional motor control and the deficits caused by motor circuit dysfunction. I found the “bypass the injury” idea of neuroprosthetics fascinating and intuitive. In my approach to select and apply to a graduate school, I searched for the faculty and institutions that performed interesting studies using multi-unit electrophysiology, strong computational principles, and direct proof-of-concept applications.  I found Dr. Miguel Nicolelis’ lab to match perfectly with my interests.

My current goal is to receive a PhD from the Department of Neurobiology at Duke University, and I am slated do accomplish this in August, 2014. It is in my interest to study some of the principles of neural control of motor movement and the utilization of artificial intelligence techniques like machine learning and computer vision and be able to apply them to fields outside of medical research, such as in the development of human computer interfaces. It is my hope that this graduate training will help me develop one of my many ideas into a useful, interesting concept.

I have many long-term goals, some of which can be considered mutually exclusive; however, I hope to appropriately decide between them over the course of my education. One strictly academic interest is to continue the study of cortical function in free behaviors of more complex form (e.g. jumping) with the methodology I’ve helped develop, and develop tools for advancing research. I would like to be involved in understanding loss-of-function in different injuries and help provide a better framework for functional recovery, and also assist in the development of motor rehabilitation solutions, such as my involvement with the Walk Again Project. A goal that’s more industry related is to assist in the research and development of non-invasive brain computer interfaces, or human computer interfaces, for applications beyond medical research, including entertainment. I love video games, and I try to mix them as much as possible with my passions. Because of this, I am interested in education policy and reform, and more significantly in boosting STEM education through the use of interactive technologies, such as the Microsoft Kinect, Emotiv EPOC, games, and other media.