Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Florian Solzbacher, Ph.D., USTAR Professor of Bioengineering, John White, Ph.D., and USTAR Associate Professor of Bioengineering, Chuck Dorval, Ph.D., led Rep. Jim Matheson on laboratory tours, giving him a firsthand view of ground breaking research in nanotechnology and neural engineering taking place at the U.
In recent years, funding for the world's largest supporter of biomedical research, the National Institute of Health, has decreased. With much of their research being funded by federal dollars, Solzbacher, White, and Dorval spoke of the importance of continued federal support for biomedical research in creating new medical treatments, cutting healthcare costs, training the next generation of scientists, and creating high-paying jobs that boost the economy.
Matheson learned how the neuroscience research taking place within SMBB addresses health issues that touch nearly every American: neurological disorders, and brain and spinal cord injuries. Among other research, these neuroscientists are working toward:
- optimizing deep brain stimulation for controlling Parkinson’s disease with minimal side effects,
- developing implantable neural devices that detect early signs of epileptic seizures and dampen neural activities that cause them, and
- devising interventions for cognitive disabilities based on an understanding of the molecular and genetic causes of Down’s and Williams syndromes.
Following the tour, Matheson, Solzbacher, White, Dorval and USTAR Executive Director Ted McAleer discussed how investing in neural engineering research can benefit the U, Utah, and our nation. The congressman, a self-proclaimed supporter of neuroscience research, promised to convey the importance of this work, and continued backing of the National Institutes of Health, to his fellow Utah legislators.
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Florian Solzbacher shows Rep. Matheson the nanofabrication facility.
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Undergraduate Nathaniel King and Chuck Dorval explain their
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Graduate student Erik Melanokos and John White demonstrate their work |
