Saikia to Develop Innovative Neuroimaging Headband
UofM researcher awarded NSF grant to develop transformative neurofeedback technology
to monitor brain activity in real time.
Dr. Manob Saikia, researcher and assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering at the University of Memphis Herff College of Engineering, has been awarded
a prestigious grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to advance groundbreaking
neuroimaging technology.
As director of the Biomedical Sensors & Systems Lab, Saikia is leading a project to
develop a wearable, non-invasive, drug-free headband designed to monitor brain activity
in real time. This innovative device has the potential to assist in diagnosing and
managing neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, depression,
ADHD, and trauma-related brain injuries — conditions that, according to the National
Institutes of Health, affect nearly 100 million Americans during their lifetimes.
Unlike traditional MRIs, the headband will utilize functional near-infrared spectroscopy
(fNIRS) and electroencephalography (EEG) to collect real-time data without the need
for a clinical setting, significantly reducing costs and improving accessibility.
Designed for user-friendly, at-home use, the headband will work in tandem with a mobile
app that engages users through interactive games while clinicians remotely monitor
brain activity and provide tailored neurofeedback.
Additionally, Saikia’s research will address an important gap in current neuroimaging
technology: the signal quality discrepancy in individuals with darker skin tones.
His lab will explore optimizing fNIRS signal strength across diverse populations,
ensuring more accurate and equitable data collection.
Through this innovative research, the University of Memphis continues to lead in developing
technologies that empower individuals and transform healthcare practices for the future.
Dr. Manob Saikia
Anusha Upadhyay, PhD student Amani Shehada, PhD student
For more information, contact Saikia at
msaikia@memphis.edu.
Full press release »
