Neurotech Pub

Paradromics Inc

Paradromics Founder and CEO Matt Angle hosts an informal salon with some of the most influential figures in neurotechnology.

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Top 10 Neurotech Pub Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Neurotech Pub episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Neurotech Pub for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Neurotech Pub episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

BCI Pioneers Part I

Neurotech Pub

06/16/22 • 49 min

In this very special two part series in collaboration with Blackrock Neurotech, Paradromics CEO Matt Angle and Blackrock Creative Director Taryn Southern co-host a discussion with BCI research pioneers Jan Scheuermann, Ian Burkhart, and Nathan Copeland. In part one, we discuss their personal journeys to becoming BCI pioneers, implant experiences with the Utah Array, their time in the lab, and some of their current projects. Learn more about Jan, Ian, and Nathan below and stay tuned for part two, coming in July 2022!

The Panel:

Jan Scheuermann is an author and public speaker, and self-styled “professional lab rat.” She has spoken at DARPA, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, and the National Convention of the ALS Association about her experience as a BCI trial participant at UPitt. She is the author of a fictional mystery novel, Sharp as a Cucumber, available on Amazon. You can find out more about Jan and book her for public speaking events on her website or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Ian Burkhart is the President of the Ian Burkhart Foundation, which provides equipment not typically covered by insurance that improves independence for those with spinal cord injuries. He is also the Vice President of the North American Spinal Cord Injury Consortium, an advocacy organization that brings individuals with lived experience together with researchers to improve research, care, cure, and policy. In addition, Ian consults on medical device development and user interaction. Ian’s latest project is the BCI Pioneers Coalition, a platform to connect BCI users, researchers, industry, and other stakeholder groups to discuss the future of Brain Computer Interfaces. You can visit him on his website or connect with him on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

Nathan Copeland is a neurotechnology consultant, speaker, and digital artist. He has spoken at numerous conventions around the world about his experiences in the lab and has been featured in many prominent publications including, but not limited to, Wired, MIT Tech Review, NPR, Fortune, and the Atlantic. He is the creator of the first BCI NFTs, available on OpenSea. You can connect with Nathan on Instagram, Twitter, and Linkedin.

00:00 | Intro

6:10 | Who came first?

7:07 | Jan Scheuermann

7:18 | Tim Hemmes & the UPitt/UPMC Team

8:05 | New Yorker profile of Jan and the UPitt team

8:55 | View Jan’s photos from the lab

10:10 | Nathan Copeland

13:00 | Parietal Cortex

13:22 | Saccade Movements

14:12 | The Pioneer Experience

16:04 | Neuro Life Study | Additional Reference | Interview with Ian | Archives of PMR

18:15 | Mirror Therapy

23:50 | Jan in the Pilot Seat

25:07 |

Where There's Blood, There's Signal

Neurotech Pub

07/30/24 • 108 min

This episode features Paradromics CEO Matt Angle in a compelling discussion with Sumner Norman, Co-founder & CEO at Forest Neurotech; Ryan Field,CEO at Kernel; and Mary Lou Jepsen, Founder and CEO of Openwater. They share their career influences, discuss the challenges of managing interdisciplinary teams, and explore the future of neuroimaging and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Delving into ultrasound and optical-based techniques, they highlight the transformative potential of non-invasive methods for diagnosing and treating brain conditions. Furthermore, they addresses regulatory hurdles, the evolution of focused research organizations, and offers valuable advice for early-career researchers on leveraging industry trends and fundamental research to drive technological advancements.

Guest Quote:

“And I think what we're trying to work on is the silicon hospital of the future with this capability, like the modern smartphone, that can reach everybody, regardless of income levels or borders.” - Mary Lou Jepsen

Timestamps:

*(00:00) Welcome to Neurotech Pub

*(00:06) Meet the Guests

*(02:48) Balancing Mentorship and Startup Demands

*(05:36) Interdisciplinary Challenges in Neurotech

*(07:11) Hardware Development and Efficiency

*(18:12) Medical Device Development and Regulatory Challenges

*(23:37) Technical Deep Dive: Optical and Acoustic Signatures

*(24:00) Ultrasound in Brain-Computer Interfaces

*(34:57) Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Mental Health

*(55:55) Understanding Stroke and Thrombectomy

*(56:51) Innovations in Cancer Treatment and Blood Flow Analysis

*(57:39) Challenges and Trials in Medical Technology

*(58:42) Open Source Medical Technology and Global Collaboration

*(58:59) The Evolution of Brain-Computer Interfaces

*(01:02:42) Advancements in Ultrasound Technology

*(01:03:39) The Role of MEMS and Silicon in Medical Devices

*(01:09:29) The Importance of Fundamental Research

*(01:14:48) The Future of Neurotechnology and Industry Trends

*(01:17:58) Advice for Aspiring Researchers and Entrepreneurs

*(01:29:41) Leadership and Transition in Tech Companies

*(01:40:07) Focused Research Organizations and Their Impact

*(01:46:08) Final Thoughts and Optimism for Neurotech

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Cyborgs That Smell

Neurotech Pub

05/11/21 • 75 min

Welcome back to Neurotech Pub!

In this episode, host and Paradromics CEO, Matt Angle, discusses the science of olfaction with Andreas Schaefer, Gabe Lavella, and Dima Rinberg. Gabe and Dima also unveil their new startup, Canaery, which uses BCI-enhanced animals to digitize the olfactory world.
Check out full video with transcript here: https://www.paradromics.com/podcast/neurotech-pub-episode-6-cyborgs-that-smell

00:10 | Guest Introductions

00:43 | What They Wanted to Be When They Were 8 Years Old

09:21 | What You Don't Know About Olfaction That You Should

16:17 | Dimensionality in Olfactory Space

22:26 | Architecture of the Olfactory System

31:24 | Natural and Artificial Olfaction

38:19 | State of the Art of Olfaction Neural Recording Modalities

46:21 | Engineered Olfactory Receptors

51:32 | Implications of High Data-Rate Olfactory BCI

1:06:19 | Olfaction Resources

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Engineering Mental Health

Neurotech Pub

08/27/24 • 50 min

This episode features Paradromics CEO Matt Angle in a compelling discussion with Amit Etkin, Founder and CEO of Alto Neuroscience; Maryam Shanechi, Dean's Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Neuroscience, Computer Science, and Biomedical Engineering at USC; and Prasad Shirvalkar, Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery, Neurology and Anesthesia at UC San Francisco. They delve into the intersection of neurotechnology and psychiatry, discussing innovative approaches to treating mental health disorders, the potential of machine learning models, and the challenges associated with obtaining and analyzing brain data. The discussion emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the promising future of personalized therapies for psychiatric conditions. They also address the limitations of current diagnostic tools like the DSM and the need for scalable, real-world solutions.

Guest Quote:

“There's artificial intelligence and there's actual intelligence. And that actual intelligence, when it comes to analyzing data, I feel goes a really, really long way. True subject matter expertise.” - Amit Etkin

Timestamps:

*(00:00) Welcome to Neurotech Pub

*(00:45) Icebreaker: Unpopular Beliefs

*(05:36) Non-surgical brain activity recording and diagnostics

*(13:32) Understanding pain: Subjective reports vs. physical representations

*(16:33) Rethinking psychiatry and DSM alignment

*(21:07) Determining brain data needs and tool validation

*(26:47) The need for explainability in AI algorithms

*(35:49) Timescales in mental health interventions

*(41:22) Advice for aspiring neurotech researchers

*(46:25) Closing Thoughts

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Follow Paradromics on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram

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Connectors, Cans, And Coatings

Neurotech Pub

12/23/20 • 110 min

Welcome back to Neurotech Pub!

In this episode, host and Paradromics CEO, Matt Angle, speaks with Stuart Cogan, Vanessa Tolosa, Thomas Stieglitz, and Loren Rieth about how to protect neural implants from the harsh environment of the body. This discussion is all about longevity and endurance, and, fittingly, it’s almost 2 hours long. Loren leaves early for a faculty meeting--wonder if his colleagues know that he came straight from the pub?

Check out full video with transcript here: https://www.paradromics.com/podcast/neurotech-pub-episode-3-connectors-cans-and-coatings

03:27 | UTD Neural Interfaces Lab

03:39 | EIC Labs

03:59 | Cogan’s highly-cited review paper

04:16 | Lawrence Livermore National Lab

04:56 | Rieth Lab at the Feinstein Institute

05:18 | Loren’s work with the Utah Array

05:39 | Human peripheral nerve stimulation

05:58 | Preclinical Vegus Nerve stimulation

06:11 | Stieglitz Lab

06:22 | Flexible Electrodes

06:41 | Long Lasting Electrodes

07:41 | Jerry Loeb: Materials Legend

08:29 | Phil Troyk

09:24 | North American Neuromodulation Society

10:44 | Melosh Lab at Stanford

12:53 | Packaging Development

17:02 | Helium Leak Test

19:01 | Work by Pancrazio

21:34 | Finetech-Brindley Stimulator

29:05 | Emerging technology @ University of Sydney

33:10 | Calvin and Hobbes

34:12 | Revolutionizing Prosthetics

35:00 | Canned Utah Array

35:35 | Flip-chip connecting

36:04 | Nick Donaldson: Mr. Clean

36:47 | Failure mode analysis

36:55 | Scaling up the Utah Array

37:54 | DARPA’s NESD Program

38:28 | High density Utah Array

39:52 | The Michigan Probe

40:00 | Vanessa’s work with Loren Frank

42:05 |

Business Models in Neurotech

Neurotech Pub

03/03/22 • 105 min

Welcome back to the Season 2 premiere of Neurotech Pub!

In this episode, host and Paradromics CEO Matt Angle sits down with fellow Founder/CEOs Carolina Aguilar, Brian Pepin, and Kunal Ghosh to talk shop about building cutting edge neurotech companies from the ground up. We dive deep into business strategies, the neurotech fundraising landscape, emerging therapeutics, and more. We also provide an insider’s view of the intersections of data, pharma, and med devices that are shaping the future of healthcare. Pour yourself a cold one and settle in!

Check out full video with transcript here: Check out video and a full episode transcript here.

00:00 | Updates & News

>> INBRAIN Neuroelectronics raised a $17M Series A

>> Rune Labs raised a $22.8 Million Series A

>> Inscopix Launched Cloud-Based Platform for Data Management and Analysis

2:15 | Meet the panel and pick up a book

1:54 | Jester King Brewery

2:25 | Rune Labs

2:50 | Neurostimulator for deep brain stimulation therapy

3:23 | INBRAIN Neuroelectronics

4:11 | Inscopix

5:24 | Ursula K. Le Guin’s 'The Dispossessed'

6:19 | Yuval Noah Harari’s 'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind'

6:32 | Daniel G. Miller’s 'The Tree of Knowledge'

6:40 | Jiddu Krishnamurti’s 'The Book of Life'

7:34 | Barack Obama’s 'A Promised Land,' ‘Dreams from my Father,’ & ‘The Audacity of Hope’ 7:56 | Karl Popper’s 'The Open Society and Its Enemies'

9:25 | Venture Capital in Neurotech

34:44 | Business Strategy in Neurotech

40:32 | Tom Oxley, CEO, Synchron

43:58 | Dr. Thomas Insel

44:06 | Mindstrong Mental Health Care

44:35 | Aduhelm controversy

52:25 | Galvani Bio

59:39 | Percept Neurostimulator

1:00:32 | Neuromodulation and the future of treating brain disease

1:07:21 | Software as a Medical Device FDA Guidance

1:09:12 | State of Animal Model Systems

1:14:28 | α-Synuclein in Parkinson's Disease

1:18:01 | Alto Neuroscience

1:18:36 | Flatiron Foundation

1:18:45 | Gaurdent Health

1:19:...

Your Future Self Will Thank You | Connectomics Part II

Neurotech Pub

03/22/23 • 60 min

We’re back with Part II of our two-part series on Connectomics!

In part one we speculated on the legal and ethical implications of emerging technologies in the connectomics field. In part two, we don our lab coats and take a deep dive into the latest research tools, from fixation protocols for the preservation of neural tissue, to multimodal imaging techniques, to the machine intelligence designed to interpret massive data sets and reconstruct the vast neural circuits that make up the connectome.

Our guests are:

Kenneth Hayworth, PhD, President and Co-Founder of the Brain Preservation Foundation, Senior Scientist at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Farm Research Campus (JFRC)
Robert McIntyre, CEO at Nectome
Jeremy Maitin-Shepard, PhD, Software Engineer–Connectomics at Google

In this episode, Ken and Robert from part one return to the pub, and we are also joined by Jeremy Maitin-Shepard, an engineer and researcher at Google, who shares insights into some of the machine intelligence modalities being used to decode previously uncharted neural networks. Check out Jeremy’s recent paper on BioRxiv, as well as his published work at Google.

If you missed part one, you can listen and explore the show notes here. Cheers!

Show Notes:

0:00 | Intro

1:03 | Kenneth Hayworth, PhD

1:12 | Robert McKintyre, CEO, Nectome

1:17 | Jeremy Maitin-Shepard, PhD

1:51 | Setting the record straight

3:09 | The nucleotide sequence of bacteriophage φX174

4:22 | Frozen Zoo at San Diego Zoo

12:01| Glutaraldehyde and reduction techniques for immunolabeling

17:39 | SWITCH Framework

19:14 | Population Responses in V1 Encode Different Figures by Response Amplitude

Enhanced mirror neuron network activity and effective connectivity during live interaction among female subjects

Permeabilization-free en bloc immunohistochemistry for correlative microscopy

19:57 | Synaptic Signaling in Learning and Memory

Structure and function of a neocortical synapse

Engineering a memory with LTD and LTP

Synapse-specific representation of the identity of overlapping memory engrams

20:28 | Ultrastructure of Dendritic Spines

Structure–stability–function relationships of dendritic spines

24:25 | Reconstructing the connectome

24:32 | Connectomics Research Team at Google

24:55 | Google x HHMI: Releasing the Drosophila Hemibrain Connectome

28:38 | Serial Block-Face Scanning Electron Microscopy

29:22 | Automated Serial Sections to Tape

29:45 | Mapping connections in mouse neocortex

30:59 | A connectome and analysis of the adult Drosophila central brain

32:14 |

We're in Heated Agreement Over Here | Connectomics Part I

Neurotech Pub

03/14/23 • 49 min

Welcome back to Neurotech Pub!

In this first installment of two episodes on Connectomics, host and Paradromics CEO Matt Angle kicks off a lively discussion on the rapidly accelerating research in the mapping, preservation, and reconstruction of the human connectome. We explore the ethical and legal ramifications of disruptive technology, and some of the unique challenges faced when driving innovation in emerging industries.

Our guests are:

Nita Faraheny, JD, PhD, Everett Distinguished Professor of Law & Philosophy at Duke Law School, the Founding Director of Duke Science & Society, the Faculty Chair of the Duke MA in Bioethics & Science Policy, and principal investigator of SLAP Lab.
Kenneth Hayworth, PhD, President and Co-Founder of the Brain Preservation Foundation, Senior Scientist at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Farm Research Campus (JFRC)
Robert McIntyre, CEO at Nectome

As an exciting new development since the recording of this episode, Nita recently published a book, The Battle for Your Brain, which examines many topics in neuroethics, from Connectomics to Brain-Computer Interfaces. It is currently available on Amazon.

Keep an eye out for part two in this series, which will take a deep dive into the latest technical and engineering innovations in the connectomics ecosystem. Coming soon!

Please be advised that this episode contains a brief discussion of assisted suicide in a medical setting.

Show Notes:

0:00 | Episode Intro

1:16 | Nita A. Farahany, JD, PhD

1:21 | Kenneth Hayworth, PhD

1:27 | Robert McKintyre, CEO, Nectome

1:56 | Meeting of the minds

2:53 | Aldehyde-stabilized cryopreservation wins final phase of brain preservation prize

3:56 | The Brain Preservation Foundation

4:09 | Documentary series on the Brain Preservation Foundation

5:21 | Letter of Support for Aldehyde Stabilized Cryopreservation (and ‘next steps’ caveats)

5:51 | Nita's 2018 Neuroethics Ted Talk

5:54 | International Neuroethics Society

6:25 | Connectomics & new paths in neuroscience

8:10 | Allen Institute for Brain Science

8:47 | A connectome and analysis of the adult Drosophila central brain

9:33 | A visual intro to synaptic imaging in connectomics

10:28 | The structure of the nervous system of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

11:16 | Mouse Connectome Project at CIC

14:59 | Cryonics controversy

19:00 | Death, taxes, and synapses

20:51 | Uniform Law Commission

21:08 | The Uniform Determination of Death Act

24:25 | Watch Altered Carbon on Netflix

25:49 | Understanding the “Loss of Chance” Doctrine

37:13 | Understanding Physician-Assisted Death, or ‘Death with Dignity’

40:21 | Euthanasia in the Netherlands

46:01 |

Neuro Mapping & Napping

Neurotech Pub

08/25/22 • 66 min

Welcome back to Neurotech Pub! In this episode we’re talking about sleep–why we sleep, how sleep works on a neurophysiological level, and some of the emerging sleep technologies that are about to revolutionize this essential neural activity.

Our guests are Amy Kruse, PhD, General Partner at Prime Movers Lab, Ram Gurumoorthy, PhD, Founder and CTO of Stimscience & Somnee, and Luis de Lecea, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine.

This episode also features a video introduction to sleep stages by Paradromics Intern Zoe Lalji. This is essential viewing if you’re unfamiliar with the stages of sleep and want to follow along later in the episode.

Cheers!

Show Notes:

00:00 | Episode intro with Matt Angle and Amy Kruse

1:07 | StimScience in Fast Company

5:05 | Learned Motor Patterns Are Replayed in Human Motor Cortex during Sleep

6:43 | Connect with Prime Movers Lab

7:01 | PML on Medium

7:45 | Introduction to Sleep Stages

References:

Stages of Sleep Overview

REM vs Non-REM Sleep

Sleep Walking