Co-Leader

A/Prof Hamish Meffin

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne

Co-Leader

Dr Wei Tong

School of Physics, University of Melbourne

Advisor

Prof Michael Ibbotson

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne

Research Fellow in Biomedical Engineering

Dr Martin Spencer

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne

Martin undertakes pre-clinical and computational research into multielectrode bidirectional stimulation strategies for visual and auditory prostheses. He also researchs biologically realistic neural circuit models of learning in the visual cortex with applications to both improved understanding of the mechanisms of cortical function and low-energy AI.

Research Fellow in Neuroscience and Brain Machine Interfaces

Dr Jason Jung

School of Physics, University of Melbourne

Key project & research interest: Developing high-resolution neural interfaces and real-time neural signal processing for brain-state monitoring, seizure prediction, and understanding neural dynamics.

Research Fellow in Neurophysiology

Dr Toon Goris

School of Physics, University of Melbourne

Toon’s project develops retinal neuromodulation methods using high-frequency ultrasound and plasmonic nanoparticles. His research interests are nanoparticle synthesis, surface chemistry, fluorescence imaging, and optical material characterisation.

Research Fellow in Neural Engineering

Dr Yao Yue

School of Physics, University of Melbourne

Yue is developing 3D carbon-fiber microelectrode arrays for high-resolution recording and stimulation of neural dynamics and network activity across brain regions, with applications in organoids, retina, and in vivo neuroscience.

PhD Candidate in Physical Bioscience

Ms Han Wang

School of Physics, University of Melbourne

 I study brain criticality and neural dynamics using electrophysiology and criticality theory to understand hidden abnormalities in brain networks.

PhD Candidate in Biomaterials

Ms Negin Jalilinejad

School of Physics, University of Melbourne

Key project: Developing in vitro glial scar models using cerebral organoids to study glial responses to neural implants, with a particular focus on microglial and astrocyte biology.

PhD Student in Bioengineering

Ms Jiwen Zhu

School of Physics, University of Melbourne

My research focuses on diamond neural electrodes for electrophysiological recording and neurochemical sensing, including surface engineering and aptamer biosensing.

PhD Student in Neural Engineering

Mr Abraham Lieu

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne

Research Interests: Forward Models of Visual Cortical Stimulation: Developing predictive frameworks for cortical implant optimization in marmosets.

PhD Candidate in Biomedical Engineering

Mr Jae Min Seo

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne

Jae Min’s project is based around the development and validation of gold nanoparticles for vision restoration via retinal neurostimulation. He is interested in bi-directional neural interfaces and the dynamical behaviour of neurons.

PhD Candidate in Biomedical Engineering

Mr Nicholas Winterling

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne

Nick’s project is in collaboration with Cochlear Limited specialises in modelling how cochlear implants interact with the auditory nerve and how this can be applied to develop personalised solutions for improving hearing outcomes

PhD Candidate in Computational Neuroscience

Mr Hualong Zhang

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne

Hualong’s research focuses on using large, data-driven models of neural circuits to better understand brain function. His passion lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence and computational neuroscience, particularly in the field of brain-computer interfaces.