Silvestro Micera

Short biographical sketch Silvestro Micera received the University degree (Laurea) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pisa, in 1996, and the Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Engineering from the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, in 2000. From 2000 to 2009, he has been an Assistant Professor of BioRobotics at the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna where he is now the Head of the Neural Engineering group. In 2007 he was a Visiting Scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA with a Fulbright Scholarship. From 2008 to 2011 he was the Head of the Neuroprosthesis Control group at the Institute for Automation, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, CH. He was the recipient of the Early Career Achievement Award and of the Technical Achievement Award of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society in 2009 and 2021, respectively. From 2011 to 2018 he was Associate Professor and Head of the Translational Neural Engineering Laboratory at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), CH. He is the author of several scientific papers and international patents. He served as Guest Editor of several biomedical engineering journals. ResearchMain responsibilities and Research grants In the recent past, Dr. Micera has been involved in the following European research projects as Co-PI (among the others): • 1998-2001 Project Manager of the ESPRIT/GRIP Project (ESPRIT LTR Project #26322, "An InteGRated System for the NeuroelectrIic Control of Grasp in Disabled Persons") whose aim is the implementation of a neuroprosthetic system to restore some hand functions in disabled persons (in particular quadriplegics) • 1999-2003 Technical Project Manager for a research project entitled «Design and development of systems and technologies for functional restoration» carried out at the Applied Research Centre on Rehabilitation Engineering originated by a joint initiative promoted by INAIL (National Institute for Insurance of Injured Workers) and Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna • 2003- 2004, IST-FET TETRA Project (Development of an implantable tendon transducer) whose aim was the development of an implantable microsensor to record biomechanical information from the muscolo-tendon system. • 2002-2005, IST-FET CYBERHAND Project (Development of a cybernetic hand prosthesis) whose aim was the development of a hand prosthesis controlled by the neural signals recorded from the peripheral nervous system and able to deliver a sensory feedback to the subject thanks to the stimulation of the afferent nerves. • 2004-2007, IST-eHealth ALLADIN Project (Natural Language based decision support in neuro-rehabilitation), whose aim is the development of a user-friendly natural language based decision support software for neuro-rehabilitation thanks to the development of a mechatronic platform to record isometric force-torque information. • Since 2004, IST-FET NEUROBOTICS Project (Fusing Neuroscience and Robotics to augment human capabilities), whose aim is to go «beyond robotics» developing different hybrid bionic systems. • 2006-2008, DACTIN (Development of an actuated invasive neural interface) funded the Korean Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). • 2007-2008, NEUROBIKE Project funded by a local Bank Foundation (Fondazione CariPisa) aimed at developing a new generation of robotic systems for the neurorehabilitation lower limb function • Since 2008, ICT TIME EU Project (Transverse, Intrafascicular Multichannel Electrode system for induction of sensation and treatment of phantom limb pain in amputees), whose aim is to develop PNS invasive interfaces to reduce phantom limb pain. • Since 2009, (Co-ordinator) ICT CLONS EU Project (Closed-loop vestibular neural prostheses), whose aim is to develop a vestibular neural prosthesis for vestibular function restoration. • 2009-2010, MIRROR Project funded by a local Italian Bank Foundation (Fondazione MPS) aimed at the development of innovative algorithms for robot-mediated neuro-rehabilitation. • Since 2010, ICT MUNDUS (MUltimodal Neuroprosthesis for Daily Upper limb Support) EU Project whose aim is to develop a novel assistive technology by combining robotics and electrical stimulation • Since 2010 ICT NeuWalk EU Project whose aim is to develop an implantable neuoprosthesis to restore locomotion in disabled people. Dr. Micera is also involved in many collaborations with research centres and universities in Europe (among the others Collège de France, Universitat Autonoma of Barcelona, Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University College London), Japan (Waseda University), Korea (Korean Institute of Science and Technology), United States (MIT, Harvard University). He is currently working also with several companies such as Plexon (US leader in neural engineering) and Eli Lilly (pharmaceutical company).Research interests Dr. Micera's main goal is to develop implantable neural interfaces and robotic systems aimed at restoring sensorimotor function in people with different kind of disabilities (spinal cord injury, stroke, amputation, etc...), starting from basic scientific knowledge in the field of neuroscience, neurology and geriatrics, and investigating further to gain new information by using advanced technologies and protocols. In particular, the following research fields are currently investigated: 1. robotic systems for neurorehabilitation 2. experiments for the investigation of neural control of movement 3. development of neural interfaces with the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). 4. development of hybrid neuro-prosthetic systems Teaching & PhD PhD Students Johannes Sebastiaan Nieuwenhuis, Mouhamed Zorkot, Angela Braccia, Jonathan Muheim, Xiangyu Xu Past EPFL PhD Students Elvira Pirondini, Andrea Crema, Marco Bonizzato, Sophie Marie Marthe Wurth, Edoardo D'Anna, Emanuele Formento, Jenifer Cléa Miehlbradt, Flavio Raschella, Nawal Kinany, Théo Lemaire, Marion Aimée Geneviève Badi-Dubois, Tristan Jean Robin Barjavel, Vincent Alexandre Mendez, Outman Akouissi, Giulia Dominijanni, Simone Romeni, Franklin Leong, Elena Vicari, Leonardo Pollina Past EPFL PhD Students as codirector Evgenia Vladimirova Roussinova, Melis Özkan Courses Neural signals and signal processing NX-421 Understanding, processing, and analysis of signals and images obtained from the central and peripheral nervous system Robotics practicals MICRO-453 The goal of this lab series is to practice the various theoretical frameworks acquired in the courses on a variety of robots, ranging from industrial robots to autonomous mobile robots, to robotic devices, all the way to interactive robots. Topics in Autonomous Robotics ENG-615 Students will be introduced to modern approaches in control and design of autonomous robots through lectures and exercises. Translational neuroengineering NX-423 This course integrates knowledge in basic, systems, clinical and computational neuroscience, and engineering with the goal of translating this integrated knowledge into the development of novel methods, technology for the clinical application for patients suffering from neuropsychiatric disorders. Awards Fulbright Scholarship 0 2021 EMBS Technical Achievement Award 2021