Rate My Professor Cynthia Chestek

Chestek directs the Cortical Neural Prosthetics Lab, part of the BioInterfaces Institute, NeuroNex MINT Hub, Translational Neuroengineering Group, and Neural Engineering Training Program. Her research centers on brain-machine interface systems using high-channel-count electrode arrays implanted in motor and premotor cortex to enable paralyzed individuals to control prosthetic limbs, their own limbs via functional electrical stimulation, and assistive exoskeletons. Key developments include algorithms modeling non-linear neural activity to arm biomechanics, strategies addressing non-stationarities in neural recordings, implantable wireless systems reducing transcutaneous infection risks and expanding channels, nerve-controlled prosthetic hands in initial clinical trials, and carbon fiber electrode arrays smaller than neurons for enhanced neuroprosthetic performance. Research areas encompass Bio-MEMS and Microfluidics, Bio-Micro Nanotechnology, Neural Engineering, and Neurological Disorders. She has received the 2026 Wise-Najafi Prize for Engineering Excellence in the Miniature World from the U-M College of Engineering, 2025 MBioFAR Award, 2023 Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, 2022 Miller Faculty Scholar from U-M College of Engineering, 2020 Wise-Najafi Prize, 2018 Department of Biomedical Engineering Award from University of Michigan, and 2014 McKnight Foundation Technology Award. Prominent publications include "A high-performance neural prosthesis enabled by control algorithm design" (2012), "Long-term stability of neural prosthetic control signals from silicon cortical arrays in rhesus macaque motor cortex" (2011), "A regenerative peripheral nerve interface allows real-time control of an artificial hand in upper limb amputees" (2020), "Chronic in vivo stability assessment of carbon fiber microelectrode arrays" (2016), and "Wireless neural recording with single low-power integrated circuit" (2009). Her contributions drive progress in stable, high-bandwidth clinical neural interfaces.