Bio-X SIGF Graduate Student Fellow

Awarded in 2018
Home Department: Materials Science & Engineering
Faculty Advisors: Nicholas Melosh (Materials Science & Engineering and Photon Science Directorate) and Jun Ding (Neurosurgery and Neurology & Neurological Sciences)

Research Title: A Scalable Approach to Neural Recording and Stimulation for Deep Brain Stimulation

Research Description: Microelectrodes implanted into the brain are a critical component of new neuroprosthetic applications in brain-machine interfaces (BMIs). Photo of graduate student Abdul Obaid in the lab, dressed in clean room attire and seated beside a large piece of equipment.In this project, Abdulmalik proposes bringing together materials science and microfabrication techniques with electrophysiology to create the highest lateral density neuroprosthetic ever made to study the mechanistic and therapeutic effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s disease. This will be accomplished by utilizing the scalability and processing power of modern microelectronics with a low-tissue damage, three dimensional neural interface. This tool will provide significant clinical benefits for movements disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), as well as insights into the fundamental effects of DBS.  

WHERE IS HE NOW?

Abdulmalik is working at a stealth startup developing microelectronic devices in the Bay Area.