Scott F. Lempka

Scott F. Lempka, PhD, serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a secondary appointment in the Department of Anesthesiology. He leads the Neuromodulation Laboratory and directs Neuromodulation initiatives within the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, focusing on engineering approaches to advance neurostimulation therapies for chronic pain and neurological disorders.

His academic foundation includes:

• B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Saint Louis University (2004)
• M.S. and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University (2008, 2010)
• Postdoctoral training at the Cleveland Clinic and Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center

Dr. Lempka's research centers on computational and experimental characterization of neuromodulation mechanisms, with three primary thrusts: neurostimulation for chronic pain (investigating therapeutic mechanisms to innovate pain management technologies), spinal cord stimulation (elucidating physiological effects of conventional and novel waveforms), and neural engineering (developing computational models to optimize neural stimulation and recording interfaces). His work bridges engineering principles with clinical neuroscience to enhance therapeutic precision.

Analysis of his 2025 publications reveals a pronounced focus on ultra-low frequency neuromodulation, computational modeling of spinal cord stimulation effects, and novel electrode design for targeted neural activation. Key trends include quantitative characterization of evoked compound action potentials, thalamic modulation mechanisms in pain pathways, and engineering solutions for sensory restoration in amputees—demonstrating a cohesive effort to translate computational insights into clinically viable neurotechnologies.

His research program is currently supported by three major NIH-funded projects:

• R01 AT010817 (NCCIH): Model-based characterization of spinal cord stimulation for pain
• R01 NS121028 (NINDS): Electrode design for selective spinal cord stimulation to restore sensation after lower-limb amputation
• RM1 NS128775 (NINDS): Defining mechanisms of pain relief in dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord stimulation

As Principal Investigator of the Neuromodulation Laboratory, Dr. Lempka integrates computational modeling with experimental validation in swine and rodent models, collaborating closely with the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center to accelerate the development of next-generation neurostimulation therapies with improved clinical outcomes.