Rate My Professor Nathalia Peixoto

Nathalia Peixoto is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at George Mason University’s Volgenau School of Engineering, holding an affiliate appointment in the Department of Bioengineering. She directs the Neural Engineering Laboratory, which develops and utilizes in vitro and in vivo neural interface technologies. Research in her lab encompasses dynamical modeling and pattern steering of living neuronal networks, novel materials for neural interfaces, paradigms for assistive device control, and function-based neuropharmacological assay development. Her specializations include brain-computer interfaces with wearable devices, implantable electrodes and systems, hybrid systems integrating cell cultures and electronics, BioMEMS, and experimental models of neuropathologies such as epilepsy and spreading depression. Peixoto also leads biomedical applications of sensors and actuators, mentoring high school, undergraduate, and graduate students in team-based projects on assistive technology, wearable embedded systems, neural implants, and bioinstrumentation.

Peixoto earned her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Microelectronics from the University of São Paulo (1997-2001), M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Campinas (1996), and B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Campinas (1991-1995). Her academic career includes postdoctoral research at Stanford University (2001-2002) developing microfabricated oxygen sensors for cardiac cells, and at George Mason University’s Krasnow Institute (2003-2006) on seizure control using low-frequency electric fields. She advanced from Research Assistant Professor (2003-2006) and Assistant Professor (2006-2012) to Associate Professor (2012-present) in Electrical and Computer Engineering at George Mason. Peixoto has secured National Science Foundation funding for projects including bioimpedance of stimulating electrodes for retinal implants (2015-2017), identification and control for pattern steering in dynamical networks (2013-2016), and others on brain-computer interfaces and networked devices. Key publications include “Lifetime Assessment of Atomic-Layer-Deposited Al2O3–Parylene C Bilayer Coating for Neural Interfaces Using Accelerated Age Testing and Electrochemical Characterization” (Acta Biomaterialia, 2014), “Chronic Intracortical Neural Recordings Using Microelectrode Arrays Coated with PEDOT–TFB” (2016), and “Improving the Performance of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) for Brain–Machine Interface Applications” (Acta Biomaterialia, 2014). She received the 2015 University Teaching Excellence Award and served as a Fulbright Specialist in Uganda in 2025. Peixoto teaches Circuits, Team-Based Projects, and graduate-level Neural Prosthetics, and delivers outreach presentations on engineering to elementary and middle school students.