Connectionists: Essex BCI Webinar: Prof José del R Millán - Brain-Computer Interfaces: Promoting Learning and Plasticity

[Matran-Fernandez, Ana]

Dear colleagues,

As the organiser of the Essex Brain-Computer Interfaces and Neural Engineering (BCI-NE) webinar series, I am emailing to advertise our next online seminar:

Prof José del R Millán, whose talk is entitled "Brain-Computer Interfaces: Promoting Learning and Plasticity"

Abstract: A brain-machine interface (BMI) is a system that enables users to interact with computers and robots through the voluntary modulation of their brain activity. Real-time signal processing and decoding of brain signals are certainly at the heart of a BMI. Yet, this does not suffice for subjects to operate a brain-controlled device reliably. In this talk I will review some of our recent studies, most involving participants with severe motor disabilities, that illustrate additional principles of a reliable BMI that enable users to operate devices. A fundamental aspect is how to promote subject's ability to modulate their brain signals so as to deliver direct mental commands to operate assistive devices. I'll discuss this learning process while subjects trained to utilize those brain-controlled devices, which fundamentally relies on brain plasticity. Intriguingly, if BMI use promotes brain plasticity, then BMI interventions could foster neurorehabilitation. I'll discuss the case of BMI for stroke rehabilitation.

Biography: Dr. José del R. Millán is a professor and holds the Carol Cockrell Curran Chair in the Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. He is also a professor in the Department of Neurology at Dell Medical School, professor (by Courtesy) in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, faculty of the Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences, and member of the Institute for Neuroscience. He is co-director of the UT CARE Initiative and associate director of Texas Robotics.

Dr. Millán received a PhD in computer science from the Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, in 1992. Prior to joining UT Austin, he was a research scientist at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission in Ispra (Italy) and a senior researcher at the Idiap Research Institute in Martigny (Switzerland). Most recently, he was Defitech Foundation Chair in Brain-Machine Interface at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland.

Dr. Millán has made several seminal contributions to the field of brain-machine interfaces (BMI), especially based on electroencephalogram signals. Most of his achievements revolve around the design of brain-controlled robots. He has received several recognitions for these seminal and pioneering achievements, notably the IEEE-SMC Nobert Wiener Award in 2011, elevation to IEEE Fellow in 2017, and elected Fellow of the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering in 2020. In addition to his work on the fundamentals of BMI and design of neuroprosthetics, Dr. Millán is prioritizing the translation of BMI to people who live with motor and cognitive disabilities. In parallel, he is designing BMI technology to offer new interaction modalities for able-bodied people that augment their abilities.


The seminar will be delivered over Zoom on 20th March, 2.30pm UK time. A link to join the seminar will be sent to all who sign up at this form shortly before the seminar: https://forms.gle/FWKn8N7KvFkFv8qf9

The talk will be recorded and made available in the lab's Youtube channel shortly after.

Best wishes,
Ana


------------------------
Dr Ana Matran-Fernandez PhD
Lecturer in Neural Engineering and Artificial Intelligence
Department of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (CSEE)
University of Essex
Office: 5B.539
E amatra at essex.ac.uk<mailto:amatra at essex.ac.uk>

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