Behnaam Aazhang

Behnaam Aazhang is the J.S. Abercrombie Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rice University and Director of the Rice Neuroengineering Initiative (NEI). He holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His roles include leading the multi-university Rice Neuroengineering Initiative and directing the Center for Neuroengineering. He has held an Academy of Finland Distinguished Visiting Professorship (FiDiPro) at the University of Oulu (2006-2014) and received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Oulu in 2017.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1986)
• M.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1983)
• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1981)

Research Interests: Dr. Aazhang’s work focuses on signal/data processing, information theory, and neuroengineering applications. Key areas include:

• Neuronal circuit connectivity and learning impacts
• Real-time closed-loop neuromodulation for neurological disorders (epilepsy, Parkinson’s, depression)
• Patient-specific cardiac pacing systems
• Cybersecurity in cloud computing

Awards & Honors:

• 2022 Rice Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Advisor Award
• 2019 SIGMOBILE Test of Time Award
• 2017 Honorary Doctorate (University of Oulu)
• 2013 IEEE Communication Society Advances in Communication Award
• AAAS and IEEE Fellowships (2012 and 1999)

Grants & Advising: His research is supported by multi-university collaborations and grants. He has advised numerous graduate students in electrical engineering and neuroengineering, though specific names are not listed here.

Labs & Teams: Leads the Aazhang Lab and the Rice Neuroengineering Initiative, focusing on translational technologies for neurological and cardiac disorders, including non-invasive neuromodulation and cloud security systems.