Neural Engineering and Rehabilitation

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 鈥� 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 鈥� 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 鈥� 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 鈥� 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 

Faculty

  • Abhinav Acharya

    Abhinav Acharya, PhD

    Elmer Lincoln Lindseth Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering
    Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine
    Member
    Cancer Imaging Program
    Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Email: [email protected]

  • Abidemi Bolu Ajiboye

    Abidemi Bolu Ajiboye, PhD

    Faculty Director of Postdoctoral Affairs
    Office of Faculty Advancement and Postdoctoral Affairs
    Associate Chair
    Case School of Engineering
    Executive Vice Chair
    Case School of Engineering
    Robert & Brenda Aiken Professor of Biomedical Engineering
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine

    Email: [email protected]

    Phone: 216.368.6814

  • Portrait of Jeffrey Capadona

    Jeffrey Capadona, PhD

    Vice Provost for Innovation
    Donnell Institute Professor of Biomedical Engineering
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine
    Principal Investigator
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Capadona Lab
    Senior Research Career Scientist
    Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

    Email: [email protected]

    Phone: 216.368.5486

  • Patrick Crago

    Patrick Crago, PhD

    Professor Emeritus
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine

    Email: [email protected]

  • Dominique Durand

    Dominique M. Durand, PhD

    Director
    Neural Engineering Center
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine
    Associate Chair
    Case School of Engineering
    Elmer Lincoln Lindseth Professor in Biomedical Engineering
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine
    Professor
    Department of Neurosciences
    School of Medicine
    Professor
    Department of Physiology and Biophysics
    School of Medicine

    Email: [email protected]

    Phone: 216.368.3974

  • Emily Graczyk headshot

    Emily Graczyk, PhD

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine

    Email: [email protected]

    Phone: 216.368.5182

  • Kenneth Gustafson headshot

    Kenneth J. Gustafson, PhD

    Associate Professor
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine

    Email: [email protected]

    Phone: 216.368.8626

  • Ana G. Hernandez Reynoso

    Ana G. Hernandez Reynoso, PhD

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine

    Email: [email protected]

  • Michael Jenkins

    Michael Jenkins, PhD

    Professor
    Biomedical Engineering
    School of Medicine
    Member
    Cancer Imaging Program
    Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Email: [email protected]

  • Robert Kirsch

    Robert Kirsch, PhD

    Chair
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine
    Executive Director
    Cleveland Functional Electrical Stimulation Center
    Allen H. and Constance T. Ford Professor
    Professor
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine

    Email: [email protected]

    Phone: 216.368.3158

  • Portrait of Michael Moffitt

    Michael Moffitt, PhD

    Associate Professor
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering, School of Medicine

    Email: [email protected]

  • Luke Osborn

    Luke Osborn, PhD

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine

    Email: [email protected]

  • P. Hunter Peckham

    P. Hunter Peckham, PhD

    Distinguished Professor Emeritus
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine
    Associate Director of Technology Transfer
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Cleveland FES Center

    Email: [email protected]

    Phone: 216.778.3480

  • Christopher Pulliam

    Christopher Pulliam, PhD

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine

    Email: [email protected]

    Phone: 216.368.3138

  • Portrait of Andrew Shoffstall

    Andrew Shoffstall, PhD

    Associate Chair
    Graduate Education Committee
    Case School of Engineering
    Nord Distinguished Associate Professor
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine

    Email: [email protected]

    Phone: 216.368.1213

  • Portrait of Ronald J. Triolo

    Ronald J. Triolo, PhD

    Professor
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering, School of Medicine
    Executive Director
    Advanced Platform Technology Center of the Department of Veterans Affairs

    Email: [email protected]

    Phone: 216.791.3800

  • Dustin Tyler headshot in suit jacket, tie and blue oxford shirt

    Dustin Tyler, PhD

    Director
    Human Fusions
    Director
    Functional Neural Interface Lab
    Associate Director
    Cleveland Advanced Platform for Technology
    Arthur S. Holden Professor
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine

    Email: [email protected]

    Phone: 216.368.0319

  • Matthew Williams

    Matthew Williams, PhD

    Associate Chair
    Assistant Professor
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    School of Medicine

    Email: [email protected]

Research Faculty

Affiliated Faculty

  • Jay Alberts

    Staff, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute

    Email: [email protected]

  • Richard Burgess

    Adjunct Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University

    Email: [email protected]

  • Portrait of John Chae

    John Chae, MD

    Professor
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Neural Engineering Center
    Case School of Engineering
    Vice President
    Research and Sponsored Programs
    MetroHealth System
    Co-Director
    MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute
    MetroHealth System
    Professor and Chair
    Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
    MetroHealth System
    School of Medicine

    Email: [email protected]

    Phone: 216.957.3623

  • Image of Hillel Chiel

    Hillel Chiel, PhD

    Professor
    Department of Biology
    College of Arts and Sciences
    Professor
    Department of Neurosciences
    School of Medicine
    Professor
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Case School of Engineering
    Professor
    Neural Engineering Center
    Case School of Engineering

    Email: [email protected]

    Phone: 216.368.3846

  • Michael Jenkins

    Michael Jenkins, PhD

    Professor
    Biomedical Engineering
    School of Medicine
    Member
    Cancer Imaging Program
    Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Email: [email protected]

  • Kevin Kilgore

    Kevin Kilgore, PhD

    Professor
    Department of Orthopaedics
    Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
    MetroHealth Medical Center
    School of Medicine
    Staff Scientist
    Department of Orthopaedics
    Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
    MetroHealth Medical Center
    Biomedical Engineer
    Research Services
    Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
    Investigator
    Cleveland FES Center

    Email: [email protected]

    Phone: 216.778.3801

  • Dawn Taylor

    Dawn Taylor, PhD

    Associate Professor
    Department of Biomedical Engineering
    Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University

    Email: [email protected]