Emergent Technology

Richard J. Genik II, Ph.D.
Director
9B UHC

Promises and Challenges in Translating Neurofunctional Tools for Real Life Applications: A Vision for Research.

Behaviors requiring complex integration of several cognitive and motor tasks are core in today's technological world. As the menagerie of mundane information processing magnifies everyday multitasking, we push the envelope of cumulative stress normal humans can be expected to absorb in normal environments, much less under conditions of excess fatigue, sleep deprivation, and hypoxic or thermal stress. Our laboratories study neural correlates of decision making under stress, with an emphasis on pushing the edge of neurofunctional technology, while maintaining grounded foundations back the behavioral application under study. Our main tools for this research are functional MRI (fMRI) and Magnetoencephalography (MEG). Utilizing fMRI to measure the neural reaction to block-designed stressors, such as flashing checkerboards or audio tones, is excellent for simple neuroscience research or pre-surgical planning to locate functional areas of an average or individual brain. More complex experiments are needed, however, to produce differential information required for practical application of functional research. At each step in added complexity, technology challenges are presented that incorporate electrical, computer, mechanical, and biomedical engineering. Emergent Technology Research Division addresses issues of the practical application of advanced, next-generation, and generation-after-next neuroscience tools.