2022-10-18 – Jack Judy

2022-10-18 – Jack Judy

Neural-Engineered Systems with Societal Impact

Jack W. Judy, PhD

Professor of ECE, BME, and Neurology
Director of NIMET
University of Florida

Tuesday: October 18, 2022

5:00 pm – Gather and Eat
5:30 pm – Presentation / Discussion
7:00 pm – End

Location:

NIMET: Nanoscience Institute for Medical and Engineering Technology
Nanoscale Research Facility (NRF) Building
1041 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611 (Map)

Abstract:

Neural-engineered systems, such as cochlear ear implants, deep brain stimulators, and spinal cord stimulators, have revolutionized the treatment of deafness, movement disorders, and chronic pain respectively. However, neural-engineered systems are typically a very costly treatment method that too often helps primarily the wealthy and well insured. During this talk and discussion, I will explore the potential to improve the methods and strategies used to develop new neural-engineered systems to treat conditions that have a global need, including patients with limited economic resources and trust for the medical system.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Jack Judy is a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Neurology at the University of Florida. He is also the Director of the Nanoscience Institute for Medical and Engineering Technology (NIMET) and holds the Intel Nanotechnology Chair. He was previously a Program Manager in the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) from 2009-2013, where he created and managed the Reliable Neural-Interface Technology Program (RE-NET) to address fundamental, and yet at the time largely overlooked at the time, critical reliability challenges of chronic neural-recording interfaces. He received the Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley in 1996 and 1994, respectively and the B.S.E.E. degree from the University of Minnesota in 1989. His research interests are in the development of novel microscale and nanoscale sensors, actuators, and systems, and their use in impactful engineering, scientific, biological, and medical, applications. A particular focus is on the development of advanced and robust neural-interface technology components and systems for bi-directional prosthetic control and other applications. His honors include the National Science Foundation Career Award, the Okawa Foundation Award, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. He is a co-chair of the 2024 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Neuroelectronic Interfaces and the Program Chair of the 2025 International Conference on Solid-State Sensors, Actuators, and Microsystems.