Ferdinando Mussa-Ivaldi

Ferdinando Mussa-Ivaldi is a Professor of Physiology, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering. He is affiliated with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) and the Master of Science in Robotics Program. His research focuses on bi-directional brain-machine interfaces, assistive robotics, and sensory-motor learning mechanisms. Key projects include developing adaptive body-machine interfaces for spinal injury patients, studying neural plasticity in motor adaptation, and understanding temporal representation in the nervous system.

Research interests span computational models of motor primitives, haptic perception under delays, and robotic rehabilitation tools. His work bridges neuroscience, robotics, and biomedical engineering to advance assistive technologies and neurorehabilitation. Notable contributions include studies on force control, internal models of limb dynamics, and the design of immersive virtual environments for training.

Current affiliations include leadership roles in the Robotics Laboratory at RIC, where he investigates human-robot co-adaptation and clinical applications of body-machine interfaces. His interdisciplinary approach integrates clinical needs with advanced engineering solutions to enhance motor recovery and assistive device control.