The Brain-Computer Interface Special Interest Group (BCI-SIG) is led by Dr. Arie Nakhmani (Dept. Electrical and Computer Engineering).

It was started in February, 2021, as part of the UAB Neuroengineering and Brain-Computer Interface Initiative (NBCII). Initial co-organizers of the group were Dr. Arie Nakhmani (Dept. Electrical and Computer Engineering), Dr. Bart Guthrie (Dept. Neurosurgery), Dr. Nicole Bentley (Dept. Neurosurgery), and Dr. Mark Bolding (Dept. Radiology). As the initiative has transitioned into a pilot center, the group is now an activity of the Center for Neuroengineering and Brain-Computer Interfaces (CNBCI).

The purpose of this group is to facilitate potential collaborations between clinicians (neurosurgeons and neurologists), engineers, and neuroscientists at UAB related to the area of Brain-Computer Interface. Possible areas include potential technological advances for neurosurgery and data analysis of neural recordings from patients that could be used for research purposes.  A goal of the group is to foster collaborations leading to new joint grant submissions. 

The BCI SIG has more than 60 members, including faculty, trainees, and others.  All are welcome. You do not need to be currently doing work related to Brain Computer Interface to participate. To join, please go to the JOIN US! page of the CNBCI website. You can email CNBCI@uab.edu to request more information.

The group is currently in hiatus but will resume shortly. In the past it met by zoom, typically the first or second Thursday of the month from 4-5 pm. Meetings include short talks by two presenters, followed by discussion.  A future in person workshop will be held to enable additional discussion and development of collaborative projects and proposals.

Previous sessions:

  • Thursday December 2, 2021 at 4 pm
    • A Stimulating Talk: Informal thoughts on brain stimulation
    • Allan Dobbins, Ph.D., Associate Professor, UAB Dept. Biomedical Engineering
  • Thursday November 4, 2021 at 4 pm
    • Light and X-ray Based Tools with Potential Neuroscience Applications
    • Jeffrey Anker, Ph.D., Professor, Dept. Chemistry & Bioengineering, Clemson University
  • Thursday October 7, 2021 at 4 pm
    • Noninvasive Neuromodulation
    • Mark Bolding, Ph.D., Associate Professor UAB Dept. Radiology
    • S. Abdollah Mirbizorgi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, UAB. Dept. Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Thursday September 2, 2021 at 4 pm
    • Neuroengineering During Awake DBS Surgery
    • Harrison Walker, M.D., Professor, UAB Dept. Neurology
    • Zachary Irwin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, UAB Dept. Neurosurgery
  • Thursday August 5, 2021 at 4 pm
    • Multimodal Brain Imaging Studies in Schizophrenia
    • Adrienne Lahti, M.D., Professor & Chair, UAB Dept. Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurobiology
    • Timothy Gawne, Ph.D., Professor, UAB School of Optometry
  • Thursday June 10, 2021 at 4 pm
    • Utilization of Intracranial EEG Recordings and Applications Toward Language BCIs
    • Kristen Riley, M.D., Professor, UAB Dept. Neurosurgery
    • Matthew Nelson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, UAB Dept. Neurosurgery
  • Thursday April 8, 2021 at 4 pm
    • Brain Interfacing: What Signal and Image Analysis Can Do For You
    • Nicole Bentley, M.D., Assistant Professor, UAB Dept. Neurosurgery
    • Arie Nakhmani, Ph.D., Associate Professor, UAB Dept. Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Thursday March 4, 2021 at 4 pm
    • Deep Brain Stimulation and Functional MRI as Building Blocks for BCI
    • Barton L. Guthrie, M.D., Professor, UAB Dept. Neurosurgery          
    • Erik Middlebrooks, M.D., Associate Professor, Dept. Neuroradiology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL