 Neuroengineering at Drexel is a joint initiative between the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems and the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy at Drexel University College of Medicine. The program includes faculty from most academic units at Drexel University, including the Colleges of Engineering, Arts and Sciences, Business, and Media Arts and Design.
The Neuroengineering Initiative at Drexel University has received a major investment from the university and is currently expanding its research activities. Finally, this initiative has partnerships with major clinical institutions for the development of translational devices and for educational experiences for students. Partnering clinical institutions include Shriners Hospital for Children and Veterans Affairs Hospital, both of Philadelphia.
Neuroengineering Graduate Studies: Graduate education and training is central to the mission of the Neuroengineering Initiative at Drexel University. The success of this program consists of four main components: the first is courses that prepare students for the emerging field of neuroengineering. The second focuses on the development of a research rotation system that includes opportunities for laboratory experiences in clinical and industrial settings. The third is a Journal Club and Seminar Series that reinforce what students are learning and emphasize critical thinking. The fourth element is thesis research under the supervision of an advisor and a hybrid (neuroscience and engineering) dissertation committee for completion of Ph.D. requirements.
 Major Research Efforts: There are diverse, ongoing neuroengineering research activities at Drexel University and at partnering institutions, including: neurorobotics, computational neuroscience, neuroinformatics, brain-computer interface, tissue engineering, neuropharmaceutical engineering and neuroimaging. Such diversity is valuable in supporting novel integration of approaches around a common medical problem.
Neurorobotics: Focus is on 1) the analysis of modularity in the motor system and understanding how this modularity is used to simplify computation and control for the organism as well as how this might be exploited after injury for rehabilitation and neuroprosthetics, 2) developing a neuromusculoskeletal model of locomotion and using it to develop stimulation patterns of the afferent feedback to augment the gait during locomotor training, and 3) using neural network architecture for adaptive control systems, machine learning, and optimization.
Computational Neuroscience: Group whose members have extensive experience using computational neuroscience to study theoretical and clinical problems in neuroscience and neurology. A major effort within this group is in modeling spinal circuitry and neural control of locomotion.
 Brain-computer interface: Projects at Drexel University include the development of devices for paraplegia to detect brain injury and for patients with debilitating neurological disorders. This effort draws on the above neurorobotics and computation efforts as well as neuroengineering faculty working on implantable CNS electrodes, non-invasive near infrared devices for monitoring neural activity, development of probes for release and measurement of transmitters, control systems, and physical training paradigms. Translation of the results from benchtop to clinic relies on collaboration with Shriner’s Hospital where clinical efficacy of the approaches under study will be evaluated.
Neural Tissue Engineering: Projects include development of neural tissue scaffold to aid in repair of neural damage, particularly spinal cord injury, the application of biomechanical approaches to the study of neurotrauma, and assistance to the brain-machine interface projects to minimize tissue damage and improve biocompatibility and the bioactive capabilities of neural implants.
Applied Neuropharmacology: Works at the interface between neuropharmacology and the pharmaceutical industry helping to develop new methods to identify and screen new candidate compounds for treatment of mental disorders. Computational modeling of the release, and network action of endogenous neurotransmitters is also addressed by this group.
Related sites:
Drexel University Office of Research
Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy at Drexel University College of Medicine
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems
Contact information:
Stephanie Hasson
Academic Coordinator
Neuroengineering Track
Drexel University College of Medicine
Biomedical Graduate & Postgraduate Studies
Phone: (215) 991-8146
Fax: (215) 843-5810
Shasson@drexelmed.edu
Jonathan Nissanov, Ph.D.
Co-Director, Neuroengineering Program
Associate Professor, Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy
Drexel University College of Medicine
Tel: 215-991-8410
E-mail: jonathan.nissanov@drexelmed.edu
Karen Moxon, Ph.D.
Co-Director, Neuroengineering Program
Associate Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems, Drexel University
Neurobiology & Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine
Tel: 215-895-1959
E-mail: karen.moxon@drexel.edu |