Thanks to the support of UZH Alumni, I have been able to pursue a project at the Neurosciences Institute of Stanford University. During my Master’s in Neural Systems and Computation, I realized the importance of international collaboration. This journey is an exciting challenge, pushing me out of my comfort zone, both culturally and academically.
Over the course of five months, I am investigating the development of a minimally invasive neural sensor. Although first-generation large-scale recording technologies have significantly advanced our understanding of how different brain areas communicate, they come with limitations. The mechanical mismatch between rigid electrodes and soft brain tissue, as well as the overall invasiveness of these devices, remains a persistent challenge.
My work, supervised by Prof. Todd Coleman and Prof. Zhenan Bao — experts in signal recording technologies and biocompatible materials — focuses on designing a flexible kirigami-shaped electrode that expands within the brain after insertion. Such a sensor could have significant implications for research on neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s.
