Jonathan Kao

Dr. Jonathan Kao is an Assistant Professor in Electrical Engineering at UCLA and member of the Brain Research Institute. His research develops computational techniques to understand neural population dynamics and create next-generation neural prosthetics.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Stanford University (2016)

His laboratory investigates neural computational mechanisms using statistical and machine learning methods, with applications in brain-machine interfaces (BMIs). Key research areas include neural decoding algorithms, dynamics of neural populations, and high-performance BMI systems. Recent work explores recurrent neural network designs for robust intracortical interfaces and computational neuroscience approaches to model decision-making circuits.

Publication analysis reveals three major themes: 1) advanced neural decoding architectures for prosthetics, 2) computational models of motor control and decision-making, and 3) evaluation of AI-brain correspondence. His group maintains collaborations with clinical neurosurgery teams for translational applications.