Jane Huggins

Jane Huggins, Ph.D., is a Research Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, holding dual appointments in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Her work focuses on developing EEG-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) as clinical tools for individuals with physical impairments. Key research areas include improving BCI usability, addressing signal processing challenges, and overcoming barriers to in-home BCI implementation. She leads the Direct Brain Interface Lab and has collaborated on numerous grants, including projects funded by the NIH, NSF, and industry partners like General Motors.

Her research emphasizes practical applications of BCIs for communication, cognitive assessment, and assistive technology. Notable projects include optimizing BCI systems for users with cerebral palsy and spinal cord injuries, enhancing BCI-AAC system integration, and advancing user-centered design principles. Dr. Huggins has also contributed to ethical frameworks for neurotechnology and participated in international BCI conferences.

Recent scholarly activities include Bayesian inference methods for GLASS BCI systems and studies on P300-based speller performance. She has mentored undergraduate and graduate researchers in areas like BCI calibration, signal processing, and clinical trial design. Her lab’s work aligns with broader goals of improving accessibility and quality of life for individuals with severe physical disabilities.

Grants and collaborations highlight her interdisciplinary approach, spanning engineering, medicine, and ethics. Ongoing projects explore inclusive autonomous vehicle design for people with disabilities and regulatory pathways for BCI medical devices. Dr. Huggins’ contributions bridge cutting-edge research with real-world clinical needs, fostering innovations that translate into tangible benefits for impaired populations.