From Brain to Text and Voice: a Rapid-Deploy Neuroprosthesis with Dr Card & Dr Wairagkar
Neurocareers: Doing The Impossible!
Release Date: 07/08/2024
How the Brain Knows It's Wrong: Endogenous Error Detection in BCIs with Camille Gontier, PhD
Neurocareers: Doing The Impossible!
🧠 What if your brain could realize it made a mistake before anyone else notices? Can a brain-computer interface (BCI) detect when you're going off track—and correct itself in real time? In this compelling episode of Neurocareers: Doing the Impossible!, we sit down with Camille Gontier, PhD, to explore his BCI Award–nominated project: Endogenous modifications in M1 activity allow online error detection and correction in human BCI, developed at the Rehab Neural Engineering Labs, University of Pittsburgh. Camille shares how his team used intracortical recordings from the primary motor...
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Neurotech for Cognitive Health & Brainspan Support with Ramses Alcaide, PhD, CEO of Neurable
Neurocareers: Doing The Impossible!
How can brain-computer interfaces become everyday tools for optimizing cognitive health, performance, and longevity? In this episode of Neurocareers: Doing the Impossible!, we speak with Dr. Ramses Alcaide, CEO and co-founder of Neurable, a pioneering neurotechnology company developing scalable, software-based BCI solutions designed to integrate seamlessly into everyday devices—from headphones to helmets to future AR wearables. Ramses shares how Neurable’s technology—originally born from his PhD research—enables users to track brain states like attention, fatigue, anxiety, and even...
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Symbols, SEALs & Self-Discovery: Navigating Career Uncertainty with Cristina Leira, PhD
Neurocareers: Doing The Impossible!
What does it take to shape a career that bridges neuroscience, national defense, and the timeless power of symbols—while navigating the upheavals life throws your way? What happens when the career you’ve spent decades building suddenly disappears? How do you rebuild your identity when what you do is no longer who you are? In this thought-provoking episode, we welcome Cristina Leira, PhD—a multilingual psychologist, educator, and researcher whose career has spanned continents, disciplines, and elite military units. From translating for Argentina’s Air Traffic Control Training Center to...
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From Lab to Legislation and Startups: An Unconventional Neurocareer with Amanda Wiggins, PhD
Neurocareers: Doing The Impossible!
What does it look like to take a neuroscience degree far beyond the lab? In this episode, we explore a career path that crosses scientific research, government regulation, and biotech entrepreneurship with Dr. Amanda Wiggins, CEO of The cGP Lab. Amanda began her career investigating neurodegeneration and cortical spreading depression. Over time, her passion for real-world impact led her into public policy—where she helped shape New Zealand’s Human Tissue Act and advised on regulations for stem cell research and genetic technologies. Today, she leads a company advancing neuroprotective...
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Fiction as a Tool for Science Innovation, with Dante Terese, Author of The Base Series
Neurocareers: Doing The Impossible!
What if the key to tomorrow’s scientific and technological breakthroughs lies in today’s science fiction? In this special-format episode of Neurocareers: Doing the Impossible!, we step outside our typical interview structure to explore the power of imagination as a driving force behind scientific innovation. Our guest, Dante Therese—science fiction author, screenwriter, and creator of The Base trilogy—brings a fresh perspective on how fiction, research, and creativity intersect. Her research-informed storytelling weaves together suspense, military science, and real-world advances...
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Medtech Clinical Trials in Latin America & Career Paths with bioaccess® CEO Julio M Clark
Neurocareers: Doing The Impossible!
What if clinical trials could save lives and launch your global medtech career? What happens when you combine cutting-edge medical devices, international clinical trials, and a relentless drive to create real-world impact? Meet Julio M. Clark — CEO of bioaccess® and host of the LatAm MedTech Leaders podcast — who turned a one-man regulatory operation into a pioneering contract research organization transforming healthcare across Latin America. In this episode of Neurocareers: Doing the Impossible!, we explore: How Latin America became a hub for first-in-human clinical trials The...
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Ultrasound Implant Against Glioblastoma: Disrupting the Blood-Brain Barrier with Michael Canney, PhD
Neurocareers: Doing The Impossible!
What does it take to challenge the deadliest brain tumors with sound waves? How do you scale a medtech startup into a multinational clinical company? And what advice can a top neuro-oncology innovator offer to those hoping to follow a similar path? Welcome to Neurocareers: Doing the Impossible! — The podcast where we explore the extraordinary journeys of those advancing the future of neuroscience and neurotechnology. I’m your host, Dr. Milena Korostenskaja. Today we’re speaking with Dr. Michael Canney, the Chief Scientific Officer at Carthera, a clinical-stage medtech company...
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Connectomics in Pediatric Epilepsy: A Clinical Research Scientist’s Career with Puck Reeders, PhD
Neurocareers: Doing The Impossible!
How do you turn massive clinical imaging data into insights that change lives? What does it take to move from a psychology undergrad to a pioneering role in pediatric brain research? And how can coding, connectomics, and curiosity shape a meaningful clinical career in neuroscience? In this inspiring episode of Neurocareers: Doing the Impossible!, we sit down with Dr. Puck Reeders, Senior Neuroscience Research Scientist at the Brain Institute at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. From her early days in Curacao to building novel neuroimaging pipelines in one of the nation’s oldest pediatric...
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From Hobby to Startup: Pi-EEG and Neurotech Education Tools with Ildar Rakhmatulin, PhD
Neurocareers: Doing The Impossible!
How does a personal passion project turn into a groundbreaking neurotech startup? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ildar Rakhmatulin to explore his remarkable journey from academia to entrepreneurship — and how a global chip shortage sparked the creation of Pi-EEG, a Raspberry Pi-based BCI device that’s transforming neuroscience education. Discover how Ildar’s open-source innovation makes brain-computer interfaces more accessible, engaging both the research community and curious learners. We dive into the evolution of his work, from the RMBCI project to the Pi-EEG platform, and...
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Curiosity, Leadership, and the Science of PTSD: Career Lessons from Prof. Deborah Beidel
Neurocareers: Doing The Impossible!
How can innovative technologies like VR and neuromodulation improve how we understand and treat PTSD? How can curiosity and leadership open doors in neuroscience and mental health? What does it take to build a meaningful career impacting millions? In this inspiring episode of Neurocareers: Doing the Impossible!, Dr. Milena Korostenskaja (Dr. K) sits down with Prof. Deborah Beidel — Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor of Psychology and Medical Education, and Executive Director of UCF RESTORES — to explore a career built on courage, innovation, and compassion. Career Development with Purpose...
info_outlineHow can we break through the barriers in communication for millions suffering from speech impairments due to ALS, stroke, and other conditions?
Traditional assistive technologies, like eye trackers, are slow and cumbersome, limiting effective communication. However, ongoing research in speech neuroprosthetics shows promising results in restoring seamless communication by decoding speech directly from brain signals.
Enter the groundbreaking work where Dr. Nicholas S. Card and Dr. Maitreyee Wairagkar are bringing change in the development of speech neuroprosthesis. Their award-winning project lead by Dr. David M. Brandman and Dr. Sergey D. Stavisky from UC Davis in collaboration with Stanford, and Brown University teams, introduces a rapidly deployable high-performance speech neuroprosthesis. This innovative technology can convert brain signals into text and voice in real-time, significantly enhancing communication speed and quality for individuals with severe speech impairments.
In this episode, Nick and Maitreyee share their journey of creating a multimodal speech neuroprosthesis and their challenges and remarkable achievements. Learn about their approach to decoding phonemes, integrating large language models, and synthesizing intelligible speech directly from neural activity.
They also delve into their career development journeys, offering valuable advice for those aspiring to follow in their footsteps. Additionally, they provide insights into the BCI Award submission process, sharing tips for a successful application.
Whether you're fascinated by neuroscience, intrigued by BCI technology, or looking for career inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable knowledge and advice. Tune in to discover how Nick and Maitreyee are revolutionizing the field of neuroprosthetics and making a profound impact on the lives of people with speech impairments.
About the Podcast Guests: