Steven Chase

Steven Chase is a Courtesy Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, part of the College of Engineering. His research focuses on understanding neural mechanisms underlying learning, motor control, and the development of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). He investigates how neural activity adapts during skill acquisition and explores the interplay between sensory input, motor output, and cognitive processes.

His work emphasizes the neural basis of learning and adaptation, with a particular focus on motor cortex dynamics and the design of BCI systems. Recent studies explore how reward influences movement vigor, the role of limb posture in motor adaptation, and the neural substrates of choking under pressure. Chase's research also addresses the stability and plasticity of cortical representations during skill learning and sensory deprivation.

Key trends in his publications include advancing BCI technology through low-dimensional control frameworks, analyzing neural memory traces during learning, and dissecting the multidimensional constraints shaping neural activity patterns. His work bridges computational neuroscience, neurophysiology, and engineering to develop translational solutions for neural prosthetics and rehabilitation.

Chase collaborates widely on projects involving neural decoding algorithms, closed-loop systems, and the optimization of BCI usability. His research has implications for understanding fundamental neural processes and developing assistive technologies for motor impairments.