Carme Torras Genís is a Research Professor at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), affiliated with the Institute of Robotics and Industrial Informatics (IRI) in Barcelona and the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC). Her career spans over three decades, focusing on robotics, neurocomputing, and artificial intelligence with applications in healthcare and deformable object manipulation. M.Sc. in Mathematics (University of Barcelona, 1978) M.Sc. in Computer Science (University of Massachusetts, 11981) Ph.D. in Computer Science (UPC, 1984) Research Interests : Robotic manipulation of deformable objects (especially textiles) Neurocomputing and machine learning for robotic control Human-robot interaction and assistive robotics Computational topology for cloth state representation Ethics in social robotics and AI Medical applications of robotics for neuromuscular disease assessment Scientific Leadership : ERC Advanced Grant recipient (2016) IEEE and EurAI Fellow Coordinator of Horizon Europe project SoftEnable and former ERC project CLOTHILDE Editorial leadership in IEEE Transactions on Robotics and multiple journals Active in ethics committees and AI policy advisory boards Advisory Committee of Ethics in AI (Catalan Government) Vice-President of CSIC Ethics Committee Member of Royal Academy of Engineering (Spain)
Kuo-Fen Lee, PhD is a Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, holding the prestigious Helen McLoraine Chair of Molecular Neurobiology. He leads the Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, where his research focuses on nerve regeneration, spinal cord injury, and molecular mechanisms underlying neural development and neurodegenerative diseases. His work bridges basic neuroscience with potential therapeutic applications for conditions like ALS, paralysis, and Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Lee received his educational training from multiple prestigious institutions: a degree in Plant Pathology from National Taiwan University; an MS in Cancer Enzymology and Cell Differentiation from National Yang-Ming Medical College, Taiwan; a PhD in Endocrinology from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston; and completed his postdoctoral training at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. His primary research interests center on understanding why humans cannot regenerate damaged nerves while many other animals can. Dr. Lee has made significant discoveries regarding the p45 protein, which promotes nerve regrowth in mice but is absent in humans (who instead have p75, which inhibits nerve growth). His laboratory also studies neuregulin signaling, neuromuscular synapse formation, and the role of various proteins like nestin in neural development and maintenance. His work often employs mouse models to investigate spinal cord injury, pain pathways, and neurodegenerative conditions. Analysis of Dr. Lee's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on molecular neurobiology with particular emphasis on neural signaling pathways, synaptic maintenance, and nerve regeneration mechanisms. His research spans from basic molecular mechanisms to potential therapeutic applications, with increasing attention to pain pathways, Alzheimer's disease models, and the intersection of neuroscience with immunology and metabolism in recent years. As holder of the Helen McLoraine Chair of Molecular Neurobiology, Dr. Lee has received significant institutional recognition for his contributions to neuroscience. While specific awards aren't detailed in the provided text, his sustained funding and leadership position indicate substantial peer recognition in his field. Dr. Lee's research program involves extensive collaboration with other neuroscience laboratories, as evidenced by his numerous co-authored publications across various neuroscience subdisciplines. His work has been consistently funded, allowing for the maintenance of an active research laboratory focused on nerve regeneration and molecular neurobiology. The Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology serves as the primary research environment for Dr. Lee's team, where they investigate molecular mechanisms of nerve development, regeneration, and degeneration using advanced genetic, molecular, and cellular approaches. The laboratory maintains active research programs in multiple areas of neural signaling and development.
Friedl De Groote is a Senior Lecturer at KU Leuven's Faculty of Human Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Human Movement Sciences, specializing in the biomechanics of human movement. She leads the Biomechanics of Human Movement Research Group and is a member of the iSi Health - KU Leuven Institute for Physics-based Modeling for In Silico Health. Her research focuses on understanding neuromusculoskeletal control of human movement, particularly through computational modeling approaches. She investigates gait disorders in children with cerebral palsy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, examining how muscle impairments, contractures, and neural control mechanisms contribute to altered movement patterns. Her work combines experimental biomechanics with predictive computer simulations to uncover the underlying mechanisms of movement disorders and develop new rehabilitation approaches. She also studies fundamental aspects of human locomotion, balance control, and energy expenditure during walking. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on predictive simulations to understand the relationship between neuromusculoskeletal impairments and movement pathology. Her research spans multiple domains including cerebral palsy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, gait analysis, balance control, and musculoskeletal modeling. She frequently collaborates with clinical researchers to bridge the gap between computational models and clinical applications. Dr. De Groote is actively involved in various academic councils including the Faculty Council FaBeR, POC Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, POC Physical Education and Movement Sciences, and multiple departmental councils within Human Movement Sciences. Her ORCID identifier is 0000-0002-4255-8673 . She currently leads or co-leads numerous research projects funded through KU Leuven and external grants, with a focus on understanding walking control mechanisms, energy expenditure during locomotion, and developing computational models to inform rehabilitation strategies for children with movement disorders. Her research portfolio demonstrates a commitment to translating biomechanical insights into clinically relevant applications.
Emma Colamarino is a Researcher at the Department of Computer, Control and Management Engineering "Antonio Ruberti" of Sapienza University of Rome. She holds an M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering (2014, cum laude) and a Ph.D. in Bioengineering (2019). Since 2015, she has been a research collaborator at the Neuroelectrical Imaging and Brain-Computer Interfaces Lab of IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia in Rome and served as a Visiting Ph.D. student at Imperial College London (2018). From 2019 to March 2023, she was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Sapienza University. Her research focuses on Advanced electroencephalographic (EEG) and electromyographic (EMG) signal processing Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) protocols for cerebral function recovery Machine learning in neurorehabilitation Hybrid BCIs integrating cortico-muscular networks Recent publications address stroke rehabilitation, BCI design, spectral graph theory, and EMG-EEG integration. Her work spans biomedical data analysis, neuroengineering, and rehabilitation technology validation. Scientific awards include multiple grants from Sapienza University and the Italian Ministry of Health, a Student Award at the 7th International BCI Meeting (2018), and recognition as a Subject Expert (2019). She has supervised/co-supervised 18 MD theses across Biomedical, Management, and Robotics Engineering disciplines.
Beth Smith, PT, DPT, PhD is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California. She directs the Infant Neuromotor Control Laboratory, where she leads research on neural control of movement during infancy and develops interventions for infants with or at risk for developmental delay. Dr. Smith's research focuses on several critical areas in pediatric development: Neural mechanisms underlying infant motor development Application of wearable sensor technology for objective movement measurement Early identification of developmental delays through quantitative analysis Evaluation of intervention effectiveness for at-risk infants Cross-cultural studies of infant development in diverse settings including rural Guatemala Her work demonstrates a strong integration of technology and clinical practice, with recent publications highlighting innovative approaches to measuring infant movement in natural environments. Dr. Smith's research on algorithmic detection of developmental disabilities using wearable sensors represents a significant advancement in early identification methods. Her studies on telehealth administration of developmental assessments have gained particular relevance following the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially expanding access to early intervention services globally. As director of the Infant Neuromotor Control Laboratory, Dr. Smith oversees a research program that bridges neuroscience, engineering, and clinical practice to improve outcomes for infants with developmental challenges. Her work has important implications for developing evidence-based interventions that can be implemented across diverse healthcare settings.
Ramana Vinjamuri is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He holds a secondary appointment as Visiting Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, India. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh (2008), M.S. in Bioinstrumentation from Villanova University (2004), and B.Tech. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Kakatiya University (2002). Dr. Vinjamuri's research focuses on Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMIs) for upper-limb prostheses control , neuroprosthetics and exoskeletons , machine learning in motor control , and neurophysiological signal processing . His work extends synergy-based models to control 37-dimensional hand movements, addresses human-robot interaction through emotionally intelligent systems, and develops neurotechnologies for substance use disorder using wearable sensors and AI. NSF CAREER Award (2019) NSF IUCRC BRAIN Center Planning Grant (2020) Harvey N Davis Distinguished Teaching Assistant Professor Award (2018) His publications demonstrate expertise in EEG and EMG signal analysis , deep learning for motor decoding , synergy modeling , and humanoid robot control . The Vinjamuri Lab at UMBC involves graduate, undergraduate, and high school researchers, with international collaborations in India and the US.
Dr. Luca Modenese is a Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics at the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW). A recipient of the prestigious Scientia Fellowship , his research focuses on computational biomechanics with specialization in musculoskeletal and neuromuscular modeling. He has extensive experience across institutions including Imperial College London, Griffith University, and Sheffield University. Education : Mechanical Engineering (summa cum laude), University of Padua (2008) PhD in Structural Biomechanics, Imperial College London (2013) Research Expertise spans musculoskeletal modeling, neuromuscular simulation, orthopaedic biomechanics, and predictive computational methods. His work integrates patient-specific modeling with finite element analysis and predictive simulations. Recent publications highlight advancements in GAN-based motion data generation , electromyography-informed models , and AI-enhanced biomechanical analysis . Scientific Recognition : Scientia Fellowship (UNSW) Athanasiou ABME Award (2021) Publication of the Year (Australia and New Zealand Society of Biomechanics, 2017) Griffith University Awards (2015) OpenSim Fellows Program (Stanford, 2014) Supervision & Collaboration : Currently supervising PhD students Arnault Caillet and Metin Bicer at Imperial College London as external supervisor. Actively involved in research partnerships with institutions including Imperial College London, Stanford University, and the Menzies Health Institute Queensland.
Dr. Meng Deng is an Associate Professor in Agricultural & Biological Engineering at Purdue University, specializing in biomaterials, regenerative engineering, and drug delivery. He holds a B.E. from Tsinghua University and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, with postdoctoral training at the University of Connecticut Health Center and MIT. His research focuses on designing polymeric biomaterials for musculoskeletal tissue regeneration and controlled drug delivery, including nanoparticle-based therapies for obesity and metabolic disorders. He has received awards such as the Society for Biomaterials STAR Award and Young Scientist Award (2012 World Biomaterials Congress). His work integrates nanotechnology and bioengineering to develop inductive materials that modulate cell behavior. Current research interests include bioactive hydrogels, muscle regeneration, and browning of white adipose tissue. Dr. Deng advises postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates in his lab at Regenerative Matter, with publications available via Google Scholar. Affiliations: Purdue University Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering Key Research Themes: Biomaterials, Drug Delivery, Nanotechnology His lab explores applications in musculoskeletal repair, metabolic engineering, and regenerative medicine. Recent studies include gamma-secretase inhibitors for obesity therapy and glycosaminoglycan-based scaffolds for muscle regeneration. Collaborations include work with MIT’s Robert Langer and University of Connecticut’s Cato Laurencin.
Prof. Dr. Katrijn KLINGELS is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences , Hasselt University , Belgium. Her work centers on Motivational Control , Developmental Neuroscience , and Pediatric Rehabilitation , with a focus on neurodevelopmental disorders like Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Coordination Disorder . Supervision of 11 ongoing doctorates, including studies on balance control heterogeneity , intensive balance training , and somatosensory deficits in children with motor disorders. Leadership roles in the OMT Bachelor ReKi program and the Examination Board for Rehabilitation Sciences. Her research integrates brain imaging , neuromechanics , and functional assessments to understand motor impairments and design targeted therapies. Current projects include CO-OP interventions for autism , ICP-Move implementation for intellectual disabilities, and muscle fatigue studies in cerebral palsy. She teaches courses like Evidence-Based Clinical Reasoning and Advanced Pediatric Rehabilitation .
Professor Mustafa Özdal of Gaziantep University 's Faculty of Sports Sciences is a leading researcher in Sports Physiology and Training Science . His work bridges Exercise Physiology with Biomechanics , focusing on how Cerebral Lateralization , Respiratory Muscle Training , and Training Protocols influence athletic performance and health metrics. Doctorate : 2012-2015, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Institute of Health Sciences, Physical Education and Sports Master's : 2010-2012, Gaziantep University, Institute of Health Sciences Bachelor's : 2002-2006, Gaziantep University, School of Physical Education and Sports, Department of Physical Education and Sports Teaching His research explores Neuroscience applications in sports (cerebral lateralization effects), Respiratory Physiology (impact of inspiratory training), and Biomechanics (balance, reaction time, muscle strength). Recent studies investigate core training in swimming, psychological resilience in basketball referees, and digital game addiction correlations. His 89+ peer-reviewed articles (2016-2025) and 126 conference presentations demonstrate sustained output in international journals (European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science, Annals of Applied Sport Science) and cross-disciplinary research connecting movement science with respiratory health . Key collaborations include researchers like Mehmet Vural , Zarife Pancar , and Murat Bilgiç .
Kiisa Nishikawa is a Regents' Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Northern Arizona University. Her research focuses on muscle mechanics, particularly the role of the titin protein in force enhancement and locomotion dynamics. She has pioneered the 'muscle avatar' approach to model in vivo function ex vivo and contributed to applications in robotics, prosthetics, and human performance. Her scholarly works (2021–2024) emphasize residual force enhancement, history-dependent muscle response, and computational modeling of strain trajectories. Articles also explore dancer biomechanics, titin mutations in muscular dystrophy, and neuromuscular control systems. 2024: Studies on rat medial gastrocnemius, titin genotypes, and dancer performance. 2023: Innovations in muscle avatar techniques, Manduca sexta oscillation models, and amphibian muscle evolution. Scientific accolades include the Regents' Professor title and an h-index of 59. Collaborations span comparative physiology, biomechanics, and robotic actuator design.
Yuan Yang is an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in the Department of Bioengineering and an adjunct Associate Professor at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. He also holds a part-time role as Associate Professor at Carle Foundation Hospital. His research focuses on neural engineering, neurorehabilitation, and biomedical imaging, particularly in stroke recovery and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers. Yang leads the Illinois-Carle Joint Neural Engineering and Rehabilitation Laboratory (JNERL), collaborating on innovative solutions for neurological conditions using advanced imaging and neurotechnology. Education: PhD in Signal and Images from Telecom ParisTech (2013), MS in Biomedical Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (2010), and BS from Central South University (2008). He has held faculty positions at UIUC, the University of Oklahoma, and Northwestern University since 2017. Research interests include cortical connectivity, non-invasive brain stimulation (e.g., HD-tDCS), functional MRI analysis, and electrophysiological signal processing. His work bridges engineering and clinical applications, addressing motor impairment in stroke and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's. Key contributions include studies on sex differences in brain connectivity and neuroplasticity, as well as developing targeted interventions using EEG and neuroimaging. Yang has received prestigious awards such as the NSF CAREER Award and serves as an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer. Professional service includes roles in grant review for NIH, AHA, and international bodies, along with editorial positions in major journals like Frontiers in Neuroscience and Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing.
Dr. Utku Yavuz is an Assistant Professor in the Biomedical Signals and Systems Department at the TechMed Centre. His expertise spans neuromuscular physiology, wearable sensor technologies, and clinical monitoring systems. He holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Ege University, complemented by earlier degrees in Physics Engineering (Hacettepe University) and Biophysics (Hacettepe University). Research Focus: Motor unit physiology, neuromuscular modeling, and clinical applications of wearable sensors. Key Areas: Spinal motor neuron behavior, electromyography (EMG), and translational technologies for diabetes and musculoskeletal health. Dr. Yavuz’s work bridges neuroscience and engineering, addressing challenges in prosthetic design, real-time neuromuscular signal decoding, and improving clinical decision-making through sensor data analysis. Recent studies include optimizing wearable glucose monitors and analyzing muscle-tendon dynamics in amputees. His research outputs span 43 publications, with contributions to high-impact journals like BMC Digital Health and IEEE Sensors Journal . Collaborations include institutions focused on biomechanics, robotics, and clinical informatics. Advising: Supervised 1 graduate project, though specific advisee names are not listed. Active in academic activities such as thesis examinations and conference presentations.
Carlos B. Mantilla, M.D., Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and the Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota. He holds a joint appointment in both departments and serves as Director of the Biomedical Engineering and Physiology graduate program at Mayo Graduate School since 2013. His research is centered on the neural and muscular control of breathing, with a focus on spinal cord injury, aging, and neuromuscular disorders. Ph.D. in Molecular Neuroscience, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine M.D., Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Senora del Rosario Residency and Fellowship in Anesthesiology, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education Dr. Mantilla’s research investigates the mechanisms of respiratory motor recovery after spinal cord injury, the impact of aging on diaphragm function, and the role of growth factors in neuromuscular health. His lab employs advanced techniques such as 3-D confocal imaging, single-cell transcriptional analysis, electrophysiology, and whole-body plethysmography. His work has been published extensively in high-impact journals and is supported by NIH and other foundations. His recent publications highlight trends in respiratory neuroplasticity, autophagy in motor neurons, diaphragm function in aging, and recovery mechanisms post-injury. These studies integrate molecular, cellular, and systems-level approaches to understand breathing control and develop therapies for respiratory impairment. Scientific awards and honors include: Anthony DiMarco Lectureship Award, Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals (2021) Medal Ministerio de Defense Nacional, Colombia (2013) Multiple Teaching Awards (2008, 2004) Distinguished Resident Clinician (1997) Dr. Mantilla actively mentors graduate students through his leadership in the Biomedical Engineering and Physiology program and has been a co-investigator or principal investigator on multiple NIH-funded grants. He serves as Associate Editor for Physiology and Frontiers in Respiratory Physiology . He is also involved in editorial roles and scientific advisory committees, contributing to the broader academic and clinical research community. His research is conducted within the Cell and Regenerative Physiology program at Mayo Clinic, collaborating closely with Dr. Gary C. Sieck. The lab focuses on regenerative approaches to restore respiratory function and is part of Mayo Clinic’s broader research infrastructure in anesthesiology, physiology, and biomedical engineering.
Professor Ian Loram is a leading academic in neuromuscular control and human movement science at Manchester Metropolitan University's Institute for Biomedical Research into Human Movement and Health (IRM). He holds roles as Academic Director of IRM and Academic Lead of the Biomechanics and Motor Control Research Group. His research focuses on sensorimotor control, postural stability, and applications of deep learning in medical imaging. Key contributions include studies on neuromuscular disorders, balance control mechanisms, and automated analysis of muscle function using ultrasound and neural networks. Education: PhD from University of Birmingham (2003) Awards: Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship (2004-2005) Grants: EPSRC Grants EP/F068514/1, EP/F069022/1, and EP/F06974X/1 ("Intermittent Control of Man and Machine") His research interests span neuromuscular control, biomechanics, postural dynamics, and clinical applications of imaging technologies . Recent work emphasizes automated analysis of muscle structure via ultrasound and deep learning, with clinical relevance to conditions like spinal muscular atrophy and cervical dystonia. Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, integrating control theory, neurophysiology, and computational methods to understand human movement. His lab develops tools for objective assessment of trunk control in children with cerebral palsy and explores the role of intermittent control in motor learning and balance. Labs/Teams: Biomechanics and Motor Control Research Group Healthcare Science Research Institute
