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EDUCATION - Ph.D. 2007, UW-Madison
Biomedical Engineering - M.S. 2002, UW-Madison
Biomedical Engineering - B.S. 1998, Northwestern University
Chemical Engineering
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE - UW-Madison, 2003-07
Advisors – Robert Radwin, PhD and Justin Williams, PhD
Project - Human Factors Studies of Brain-Computer Interfaces: Performance and Mental Effort for Able and Physically Disabled - UW-Madison, 2000-02
Advisor - Robert Radwin, PhD
Project - Worker monitoring tests for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Northwestern University, 1997-98
Advisor - Joseph Walsh, PhD
Project - Tested and analyzed a prototype carbon dioxide laser system used for the ablation of hard dental tissues - Northwestern University, 1996
Advisor - George Nichols, PhD
Project - Development of a novel vascular stent made of biodegradable polymer
Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology has the potential to provide increased functionality and independence to individuals with severe motor disabilities. A BCI is a communication system that does not depend on the brain’s normal output pathways of peripheral nerves and muscles. In the future, BCIs may enable a motor disabled person to directly control a computer, wheelchair, or neuroprosthetic limb with their neural signals. My work applied well-established tools from the fields of human factors and neuroergonomics to BCI performance evaluation using electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocorticogram (ECoG) signals. The main objectives were to: 1) determine the human information processing capacity for EEG, ECoG, and manual control of computer cursor so these can be compared between tasks and modalities, 2) evaluate mental workload and learning curves during BCI training to identify limitations and consider methods for improvement, and 3) compare performance and mental effort of severely motor disabled and able-bodied individuals to determine if the two groups interact with BCI systems in the same way. The knowledge gained from these experiments can be used to design improved BCI tasks and systems that are more efficient and user focused. This is a critical step towards bringing the technology closer to becoming a reality for people with severe motor disabilities. CAREER GOAL My goal is to become a physician scientist, combining clinical practice as a neurologist with cutting edge neural engineering research at a major academic medical center. I envision my research and clinical work interfacing on a daily basis as I apply my engineering skill set to unresolved biomedical problems encountered in the clinical setting. I see myself working with and leading multidisciplinary teams composed of researchers and clinicians from a cross-section of fields. I hope to closely integrate medicine, science, and engineering throughout my career. PUBLICATIONS - Felton, E.A., Wilson, J.A., Williams, J.C., Garell, P.C. Electrocorticographically controlled brain-computer interfaces using motor and sensory imagery in patients with temporary subdural electrode implants. Report of four cases. J. Neurosurg. 106(3):495-500, 2007.
- Wilson JA, Felton EA, Garell PC, Schalk G, Williams JC. ECoG-based Brain-Computer Interface Using Multimodal Control. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 14:246-250, 2006.
PRESENTATIONS - Felton EA, Radwin RG, Wilson JA, Williams JC. Human Factors Underlying Brain-Computer Interfaces. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, November 2007.
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