Cynthia Chestek

Cynthia Chestek is an Associate Professor in Robotics and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. She leads the Cortical Neural Prosthetics Lab (CNPL), affiliated with the BioInterfaces Institute, NeuroNex MINT Hub, and the Neural Engineering Training Program. Her research focuses on developing implantable brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) using 100-channel neural arrays to enable paralyzed individuals to control prosthetic limbs and restore motor function through functional electrical stimulation. Key innovations include regenerative peripheral nerve interfaces (RPNIs) and sub-cellular carbon fiber electrodes for high-resolution neural recording.

Dr. Chestek's work emphasizes translating neural engineering advances into clinically viable systems. Her lab explores both hardware (e.g., wireless neural recording devices, energy-efficient microcontrollers) and software (neural decoding algorithms, artificial neural networks) solutions to optimize BMI performance. Recent achievements include demonstrating real-time prosthetic finger control using biomimetic decoders and restoring sensory feedback via RPNIs in human trials.

• Lab Affiliations: BioInterfaces Institute, NeuroNex MINT Hub
• Key Technologies: Carbon fiber electrode arrays, SPARC nerve interfaces, NIR-powered microelectronics
• Awards: 2023 AIMBE Fellow

Her interdisciplinary approach bridges neuroscience, robotics, and materials science to address critical challenges in neural prosthetics, including signal stability, energy efficiency, and bidirectional neural communication. Current efforts aim to improve prosthetic dexterity, sensory feedback integration, and long-term implant viability.