iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

An incredibly important and thought-provoking paper in Nature this week, from our BCM @bcmneurosurgery.bsky.social colleagues and core NEI faculty members, suggests that plasticity and consciousness are much more decoupled than previously assumed. #HiddenBrain www.nature.com/articles/s41...

nature.com

Plasticity and language in the anaesthetized human hippocampus - Nature

In the hippocampus, complex processing of sensory stimuli occurs even in the unconscious state.

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

A new paper from Rice University, UCLA, and MIT introduces MiniFAST—an open-source, miniaturized microscope designed to solve the two biggest hurdles in neural imaging: speed and sensitivity. Read more: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Congratulations to @riceneuro.bsky.social investigator Jerzy Szablowski on this well-deserved recognition from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation! See the full press release from Rice News: bit.ly/4awPTvW

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Congratulations to awardees, @jerzyszablowski.bsky.social Christina Tringides, Kevin McHugh, and Juliane Sempionatto! Looking forward to seeing how these collaborative grants with our partners in the Texas Medical Center #TMC build new directions for research in brain health. bit.ly/4aX3bni

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

The mechanisms by which reward-based behaviors are learned are poorly understood. Using Voltage-sensitive dye (VSD) imaging, researchers at @riceneuro.bsky.social and @uthealthhouston.bsky.social have found that an extensive neuronal network may be involved in longer-term reward-based learning.

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Congratulations to @riceneuro.bsky.social Christina Tringides, who has received "The Distinguished Scientist Award" by the Sontag Foundation for her work with hydrogel implants designed to enhance clinicians' ability to monitor and treat #glioblastoma🎖️ Read More: bit.ly/4rBjeNh

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

How can serum marker tests be made more sensitive? The lab of @jerzyszablowski.bsky.social shows that editing markers in vivo to reduce their half-life can provide more sensitive measurement of gene expression dynamics. Read more: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

pnas.org

PNAS

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

@riceuniversity.bsky.social launched the Amyloid Research Center today, led by biophysicist Pernilla Wittung. A fantastic and important addition to the continued expansion of neuro-research on our campus! news.rice.edu/news/2025/ri...

news.rice.edu

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Big news coming out of Rice University. The Rice Brain Institute has launched to foster new collaborative research on our campus! A new era of research in brain health that links Biosciences, Engineering, Social Science, with Government Policy. bit.ly/4oAE6C0

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

In this month's @jamapsychiatry.com Rice NEI faculty members @sameershethmd.bsky.social and Wayne Goodman examine the recent approval of adaptive #DBS for Parkinson's and whether closed-loop neuromodulation strategies are ready for clinical practice in neurological and psychiatric disorders.

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Cool work coming out of Mechanical Engineering here at Rice that could advance medical engineering news.rice.edu/news/2025/ri...

news.rice.edu

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Researchers from the joint @riceneuro.bsky.social and Houston Methodist Center for Neural Systems Restoration recently developed an approach to noninvasively measure CSF dynamics along blood vessels using advanced MRI and image processing techniques.

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Traditional implantable devices with more electrodes also entail more wires and invasive surgeries. A new system from Robinson Lab offers a distributed network where implants are individually programmable and respond to unique digital instructions from a single transmitter. bit.ly/4pTHIAS

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

A wonderful write-up in the Fall Rice Research Review outlining a few of our initiatives' ongoing projects in the areas of neural recording, synthetic serum biomarkers, and other brain research from the NEI and across campus. Read more: bit.ly/4gMWrsQ

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

This week's Engineering Minds Seminar welcomes Dr. Nanshu Lu from the @cockrellschool.bsky.social . Dr. Lu will present her lab's work developing a breakthrough e-tattoo technology that leverages automated, on-scalp non-contact printing of PEDOT: PSS-based conductive inks.

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Our seminar speaker tomorrow, Dr. Seth Hays from UTDallas Bioengineering, will talk about his work with closed-loop #vagus nerve stimulation and discuss the ongoing efforts to develop and optimize a next-generation #CLV system.

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

Tomorrow, Dr. Bozhi Tian will discuss how his lab is expanding the frontier of electrophysiological modulation and biosensing. We look forward to his visit and discussions with our faculty and students!

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Congratulations @riceneuro.bsky.social member Jessica Butts, who was funded by @apdaparkinsons.bsky.social to use a new model that identifies and characterizes neurons in a part of the brainstem vulnerable to PD progression called the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg). More: bit.ly/488vXjf

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

More funding news last month includes a collaborative grant between Chong Xie and Lan Luan from @riceneuro.bsky.social and Samuel Pfaff from @salkinstitute.bsky.social on a $750K grant, "Recording Spinal Neural Activity Across Genetic Classes During Hindlimb Motor Behaviors." 🎉

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Congratulations @nicoleprovenza.bsky.social from @bcmneurosurgery.bsky.social and @riceneuro.bsky.social who is the recipient of a $3.7m R01 award from NIH/NIMH for her project, "Neurophysiological investigation of the approach-avoidance axis in OCD: applications to neuromodulation."🎉

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

@riceneuro.bsky.social researcher Jacob Robinson @jacobrobinson.bsky.social and his team are developing next-gen wireless miniature bioelectric implants that are opening doors to new treatments for a multitude of chronic conditions. Read more about their recently published work here: bit.ly/45VfTi5

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Understanding visual representations and their longitudinal stability requires neuronal recording at multiple scales. Results published in Nature Communications indicate that temporal coding may be essential in ensuring consistent sensory experiences over time. Read more: bit.ly/3HPe7aq

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Temporal coding carries more stable cortical visual representations than firing rate over time - Nature Communications

Whether temporal code and rate code have different rates of representational drift over extended periods is not fully understood. Using ultraflexible electrodes, here authors show that temporal codes ...

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

@riceneuro.bsky.social Researchers Christina Tringides and Ava Zoba have published a recent review in APL Materials discussing materials advances for therapies that are trying to address the complex challenges presented by the blood-brain barrier. Read more: pubs.aip.org/aip/apm/arti...

pubs.aip.org

Material considerations for delivering therapeutics across the blood–brain barrier

Therapeutic drug delivery across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) has been a challenging feat for centuries. The intricate nature of the BBB is protected by multip

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

@riceneuro.bsky.social will again host a Neuro section at #GCURS 2025 here at Rice University. Undergraduate research in all fields of neuroengineering and neuroscience are welcome to apply. Christina Tringides, Scott Keene, David Lipshutz, Nishal Shah will be our 2025 faculty mentors.

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

A new npj Flexible Electronics Perspective is out this month from Luan and Xie Labs at @riceneuro.bsky.social. It explores high-dimensional neural stimulation using flexible microelectrode arrays, supported by cortical simulations, to guide next-gen brain-machine interfaces. bit.ly/3U9wlWH

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Towards precise synthetic neural codes: high-dimensional stimulation with flexible electrodes - npj Flexible Electronics

npj Flexible Electronics - Towards precise synthetic neural codes: high-dimensional stimulation with flexible electrodes

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

New and junior researchers at Rice University and TX Medical Center affiliates are invited to register for our Fall NeuroNetworking event next month! It is a great opportunity to make new contacts in the fields of brain research and pitch your own lab's interests.

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

@riceneuro.bsky.social Researcher Valentin Dragoi and his team found that visual cortex neurons can learn and replay complex timing patterns after repeated light stimulation, providing clues to how our brains extract and reproduce temporal regularities from a wide range of sensory inputs.

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

A recent study out in @biorxiv-neursci.bsky.social from @jerzyszablowski.bsky.social lab builds on their RMA platform as a cost-efficient, noninvasive tool that, "enables sensitive, multiplexed, and repeatable measurements of gene expression in the brain with a blood test." More: bit.ly/3ZygaW9

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

🎉An incredible honor that acknowledges the stellar work that Dr. Marcia O'Malley and the generations of MAHI lab students have contributed to this field. Congratulations! 🎉 engineering.rice.edu/news/omalley...

engineering.rice.edu

O’Malley named a winner of the 11th Nagamori Award | George R. Brown School of Engineering | Rice University

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

A new review paper this week in Development @biologists.bsky.social from @riceneuro.bsky.social Butts Lab, explores the importance of the Notch signaling pathway in neurogenesis. (more)

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

As part of Brain Tumor Awareness Month, "Meeting of the Minds" is focusing on advancements in brain cancer research, showcasing the many promises that are on the horizon @mdanderson.bsky.social, @riceneuro.bsky.social, and @uthealthhouston.bsky.social. Register here: bit.ly/43t5Pgm #GrayMay

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Had a wonderful time this week at #InterfaceNeuro in Atlanta as did our many students who presented posters! Congratulations @gt-neuro.bsky.social and everyone who helped to make this event a success!

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Reposted by Rice Neuroengineering Initiative

Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society @gt-neuro.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

The final #InterfaceNeuroGT session covered joint modeling of brain and behavior. Speakers highlighted how they're using innovative computational and experimental approaches to understand how neural activity influences behavior and intention. Chaired by @vulcnethologist.bsky.social.

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Day one of Rice-TMC Ecosystem Health Innovations conference in the books! Looking forward to day two at TMC Helix Park. Thanks to the Rice ENRICH Office for putting on this incredible event! If you're attending tomorrow, stop by our booth and say hello!

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

@riceneuro.bsky.social researcher Scott Keene @scottkeene.bsky.social and colleagues from Stanford University and Cambridge University show how a new understanding of PEDOT: PSS polymers can make bioelectronic devices easier and more reliable to manufacture. Read more: bit.ly/4iFoGcE

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

@riceuniversity.bsky.social Magazine's spring issue features @riceneuro.bsky.social and @cpritt.bsky.social investigator Christina Tringides and her work applying hydrogel-based electrodes to improve outcomes during complex brain cancer surgeries. Read more: magazine.rice.edu/spring-2025/...

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Congratulations to @riceneuro.bsky.social researcher @jerzyszablowski.bsky.social for being selected as the inaugural recipient of The Dr. Joe G. Hollyfield New Investigator Award for Macular Degeneration Research from the #BrightFocusFoundation. (More)

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

A team from @riceneuro.bsky.social uro and @utmbhealth.bsky.social are developing a new method for stimulating deep brain regions without drilling into the skull. This minimally invasive technique could pave the way for improved therapies for patients with neurological disorders. bit.ly/4iEEJbe

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Decreasing the invasiveness of deep brain stimulation

Researchers are developing a preclinical method to stimulate the brain without drilling into the skull by guiding a catheter through the cerebrospinal fluid.

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

A feature article in Rice News that provides more content to our earlier post on haptic research and review from our team of RiceNeuro and RiceMECH researchers: news.rice.edu/news/2025/re...

news.rice.edu

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

@biotechniques.bsky.social published an interview today with @riceneuro.bsky.social investigator Lan Luan. Here, she discusses her work tracing the development of flexible electrodes as a tool for large-scale, long-lasting, and bidirectional interfacing with the brain. bit.ly/4kLxfoy

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Maximizing flexibility: ultra-thin electrodes for monitoring and manipulating neuroactivity

In this interview, Lan Luan discusses developing ultra-thin electrodes that can be used to monitor and manipulate brain activity.

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Multi-sensory haptic devices present an array of challenges to engineers including placement, perception, and other factors. A publication in @natrevbioeng.bsky.social features @riceuniversity.bsky.social researchers reviewing the current state of these devices.

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Thank you, @danafoundation.bsky.social, for this wonderful write-up of our event last month. dana.org/article/meet...

dana.org

Meeting of the Minds

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Reposted by Rice Neuroengineering Initiative

Chris Rozell @crozell.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

We're coming up on the deadline for submissions to InterfaceNeuro in just a few days on March 14! Please consider joining us for this unique mixture of neuroscience, neuroengineering, clinical research and lived experience voices! I promise you will learn something exciting!

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Rice Neuroengineering Initiative @riceneuro.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

🎉Today, we celebrate #WorldEngineeringDay 2025 by taking a moment to recognize the outstanding achievements of our core investigators who are advancing innovation in brain health. 2024 has been a year of growth in so many areas of our research and we look forward to 2025 and beyond! 🎉

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Reposted by Rice Neuroengineering Initiative

Dana Foundation @danafoundation.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

At the Meeting of the Minds event hosted by @riceneuro.bsky.social and Rice's ENRICH program, Dana VP of Neuroscience & Society Khara Ramos spoke about the Foundation’s focus on neuroscience education, training, and public engagement. #neuroethics #neurosociety #policy #law

dana.org

Meeting of the Minds

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