NSAP Program Summer Schedule (2023)

Web-based Course in the Protection of Human Research Subjects through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)

Background reading of research articles provided by their respective mentors to orient trainees

Orientation and Pre-program Assessment (Dr. Contreras-Vidal, Dr. Parikh, Program Manager, Dr. Chiappetta)
 
Responsible Conduct of Research (UH Div. Of Research) — Session I

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Unconscious Bias Training (UH Center for Diversity and Inclusion)

Workshop I: Fundamentals of Mobile Brain-body Imaging (MoBI) (Dr. Contreras-Vidal)
During this workshop, we will demonstrate major concepts in MoBI systems, including types of sensors, signal processing, and applications such as understanding the brain ‘in action and in context’ outside the lab, real-time neuromodulation, and the design of brain-computer interfaces for communication and control. The presentation will be followed by a live, hands-on demonstration of MoBI systems and discussion on the challenges such as interoperability and detection and removal of artifacts from MoBI signals.

Immersive collaborative and personalized research experiences

Responsible Conduct of Research (UH Div. Of Research) — Session II

Seminar: Noninvasive Brain-machine Interfaces to Restore Movement After Brain Injury, Limb Amputation, or Spinal Cord Injury (Dr. Contreras-Vidal)

Workshop II: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Its Applications (Dr. Parikh)
During this workshop, we will demonstrate basics of TMS, including mechanisms and effects of TMS, major components of the TMS system, inclusion/exclusion criteria for human subject research, the use of different TMS coil types, techniques to obtain resting and active motor thresholds, basics of electromyography (EMG), signal acquisition and signal processing, various TMS protocols, basics pertaining to the use of neuronavigation system and paired associative stimulation. The presentation will be followed by a live, hands-on demonstration of TMS systems and discussion on the challenges such as removal/control of artifacts from EMG signals, common and uncommon adverse effects of TMS and potential remediation steps. we will demonstrate the application of single-pulse, dual-pulse, and repetitive pulses to improve our understanding of the role of the human brain in motor and cognitive function, the use of different TMS protocols for modulating the ability to learn novel behaviors or relearn previously learned behaviors, managing chronic neuropathic pain, and the role of TMS as an adjuvant to existing training paradigms in neurological patients. The presentation will be followed by a hands-on demonstration of TMS systems.

Immersive collaborative and personalized research experiences

Responsible Conduct of Research (Individual Research Mentors) — Session III

Seminar: Sensorimotor Mechanisms for Dexterous Manipulation and Balance (Dr. Parikh)

Workshop III: Machine Learning and Data Science (Dr. Jerry Ebalunode)
During this workshop, we will provide an overview of the literature in learning-based methods and applications, an understanding of a variety of machine learning techniques for classification, regression, and prediction, demonstrate the implementation of a wide range of machine learning algorithms with examples, demonstrate the use of unsupervised and supervised learning and clustering concepts, dimensional reduction, Kernels and Kernel-based classifiers such as SVM and Deep Learning algorithms, provide hands-on skills to use modern data visualization and analysis platforms, specifically the open source parallel Paraview and Tableau, provide understanding on some of the essential steps to begin analyzing the data and discovering the patterns on the dataset. It will include working on some real-world datasets covering skills such as Data scraping, data pre-processing (data importing & cleaning), data wrangling (exploratory data analysis & data structuring) and applying statistical techniques to get ready for the machine learning algorithms.

Immersive collaborative and personalized research experiences

Responsible Conduct of Research (Individual Research Mentors) — Session IV

Seminar: Peripheral and Central Origins of Manual Disability in Patients with Type II Diabetes (Dr. Gorniak)

Workshop IV: Advanced Electroencephalograpy (EEG) Signal Processing (Dr. Contreras-Vidal)
During this workshop, we will demonstrate typical analytical pipelines for processing MoBI signals including source analysis and dipole fitting, functional connectivity methods, decoding and deep learning methods, and applications. The presentation will be followed by a hands-on Matlab-based demonstration of analysis of MoBI data (EEG, motion, video) collected outside the lab.

Immersive collaborative and personalized research experiences

Responsible Conduct of Research: Neuroethics Dr. Jose L Contreras-Vidal) — Session V

Seminar: New Insights on Neurological Rehabilitation: Can transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) enhance motor skill learning and retention, and maximize motor recovery for persons with neurological disorders? (Dr. Tseng)

Workshop V: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Its Applications (Drs. Parikh and Tseng)
During this workshop, we will demonstrate basics of tDCS, including history, safety, mechanisms and effects of tDCS, different tDCS parameters and their effects, inclusion/exclusion criteria for human subject research, the use of different tDCS protocols for modulating the ability to learn novel behaviors or relearn previously learned behaviors, the role of tDCS as an adjuvant to existing training paradigms in neurological patients  The presentation will be followed by a live, hands-on demonstration of tDCS system (traditional as well as high definition gel-based) and discussion on common and uncommon adverse effects of tDCS and potential remediation steps.

Immersive collaborative and personalized research experiences

Responsible Conduct of Research (Individual Research Mentors) — Session VI

Seminar: Toward Creating Novel Neurorehabilitation Strategies by Developing Newly Emerging Motor Coordination After Stroke (Dr. Roh)

Workshop VI: Clinical Brain-Machine Interfaces (Dr. Contreras-Vidal)
During this workshop, we will demonstrate major concepts in BMI systems, including types of sensors, signal processing, and applications. New trends like embodiment, stroke rehabilitation, and neuroprostheses will also be explained. The presentation will be followed by a live, hands-on demonstration of a closed-loop real-time BMI system for restoration of motor function.

Immersive collaborative and personalized research experiences

Responsible Conduct of Research (Individual Research Mentors) — Session VII

Seminar: Rehabilitation Robotics (Dr. Chang)

Seminar: Cognitive-Communication Disorders (Dr. Margaret Blake)

Workshop VII: Robotic Powered Exoskeleton for Gait Assistance and Rehabilitation (Drs. Chang and Francisco)
During this workshop, we will discuss and demonstrate major components (sensors, actuators, communication and control, intent detection systems, safety systems) of powered exoskeleton systems used for rehabilitation of upper and lower-limb motor function. Moreover, usability, inclusion/exclusion criteria for the target populations, and typical training protocols will also be discussed. The presentation will be followed by a live, hands-on demonstration of the use of a lower-limb robotic exoskeleton for restoration/rehabilitation of walking after SCI or stroke.

Immersive collaborative and personalized research experiences

Responsible Conduct of Research (Individual Research Mentors) — Session VIII

Seminar: Microanalysis of Standing Center of Pressure in Children and Adults (Dr. Bickley)

Seminar: Evidence-based Approaches to Aphasia Rehabilitation (Dr. Lynn Maher)

Workshop VIII: Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) and Its Application (Dr. Pollonini)
During this workshop, we will discuss and demonstrate major components of the fNIRS system (light emitter/detector probes, headgear to hold the probes), mechanisms of action, inclusion/exclusion criteria for human subject research, signal acquisition and basic signal processing steps, 3D-digitizer, digitizing probe locations. The presentation will be followed by a live, hands-on demonstration of the use of fNIRS system, the design of a typical fNIRS experiment, and troubleshooting.

Immersive collaborative and personalized research experiences

Seminar: Proprioceptive Control of Movement (Dr. Layne)

Seminar: Neuropsychological Factors Associated with Functional Outcomes for Neurorehabilitation (Dr. Michael W. Williams)

Immersive collaborative and personalized research experiences

Immersive collaborative and personalized research experiences

NSAP Conference, Banquet Lunch, and Post-Program Evaluation