Principal Investigator:
Aviad Hai, PhD
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Also: Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering
& Grainger Institute for Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Engineering Centers Building
1550 Engineering Dr
Madison, WI 53706
PhD student: Jamie Sergay, BME
Jamie is focused on multiplexed electrophysiological
characterization of 2D and 3D neuronal models using
microelectrode arrays in parallel with novel
fluorescent probes. Her research interests revolve
around the mechanical and electrical characteristics
of neurons impacted from mild traumatic brain
injuries. Jamie is jointly advised by Christian Franck
at the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
PhD student: Adam Vareberg, BME (BSc: Harvard BioE/EE '19)
Adam is working on adapting new devices and computational
methods to decipher brain networks based on low-temporal
resolution measurements relevant to MRI. He is
interested in providing new tools and techniques
to mitigate the trade-off between resolution
and invasiveness in neuroscience.
PhD student: Emily Blick, BME (BSc: University of Maryland)
Emily is interested in studying secondary
injury processes and neuroinflammation following
traumatic brain injury (TBI)—by correlating neural
signaling dynamics with inflammatory biomarkers.
She is especially interested in the long-term impacts
of mild TBI and its link to the onset of a variety
of neurodegenerative disorders.
PhD student: Xiaoxuan Ren, ECE
Xiaoxuan is working on computational models
of neural networks by combining both spontaneous
and evoked neuronal activity to decode brain
connectivity.
PhD student: TShawn Zhu, ECE
TShawn is working on novel nanofabricated resonators
and optimized code for high speed vector network
analyzer to pick up neural sensor frequency
responses wirelessly. He is interested in the
practical use of neurobiology and neuroengineering.
PhD student: Ido Haber, BME (Bsc: neurobiology & psychology, UW Madison
Ido is interested in the neural correlates of consciousness,
altered SoC, and electrophysiology. Ido aims to use novel
noninvasive modalities for conducting basic research and
clinical studies. While working at Hai’s lab in the biomedical
engineering department, he gained technical experience working
with in vitro neural cultures, micro-electrode arrays, calcium imaging,
and protein labeling. Ido is co-advised by Dr. Giuglio Tononi.
PhD student: Arvin Chen, BME
Arvin focuses on using multiple techniques, including advanced
neuroimaging, for the timely detection and mitigation of traumatic
brain injury (TBI) caused by different insults. He is interested in
exploring neuroscience and neuroengineering from a mechanical perspective
and providing innovative insights for clinical treatments.
MSc student: Jessica Hiya, BME
Jessica is working on wireless sciatic nerve stimulation.
She is interested in applying Biomedical Engineering to
neuroscience to discover new treatments and methods.
She is also interested in influencing and interpreting
biological signals from the neurological system to
understand the inner workings of the mind and help
treat neurological disorders.
Undergraduate Researcher: Maya Nornberg, BME '26
Maya is focused on studying the effects of psychedelics
on neuronal plasticity using multiplexed
electrophysiological tools such as microelectrode arrays
and large scale calcium imaging. She is interested
in biomedical engineering as a means to develop
reatments for neurological conditions
