Pathways in Neuroscience: A Personal Journey

Diagnosing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at an early stage is a daunting challenge that often seems almost impossible. However, the pressing need for early diagnostic tools has driven remarkable individuals to seek innovative solutions. One such individual is Dr. Ahmadreza Keihani, whose personal story and profound loss led him on a mission to find early diagnostic possibilities for ALS using cutting-edge neurotechnologies.

Dr. Keihani, a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Pittsburgh, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his work. After graduating as the valedictorian from the medical school at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), he was invited to be an assistant professor of neuroimaging. However, driven by a relentless desire to learn and innovate, he moved to the United States to further his research under the mentorship of senior scientists in the field.

In this episode, we delve into Dr. Keihani’s groundbreaking project, which he developed alongside his colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh and TUMS. Their real-time monitoring system for the cortico-muscular coupling index (CMC) promises to be an early biomarker for ALS, offering hope for earlier diagnosis and intervention. This project was nominated for the prestigious BCI Award 2023, recognizing its potential to revolutionize ALS diagnostics.

Dr. Keihani discusses his innovative research and also shares his personal career journey, providing invaluable career advice for aspiring scientists. Additionally, he offers useful information about the International BCI Award application process, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to submit a successful project.

Moreover, Dr. Keihani is an amazing educator, and listeners will truly enjoy his easy-to-understand explanations of complex concepts in neurotech research.

Join us as Dr. Keihani shares his journey, the inspiration behind his work, and the innovative neurotechnologies driving his research. We'll explore how his project aims to provide real-time assessment of CMC in ALS patients and the potential impact this could have on the future of ALS diagnosis and treatment.

Tune in to discover the intersection of personal passion and scientific innovation with Dr. Ahmadreza Keihani and learn how his work paves the way for new diagnostic possibilities in the fight against ALS.

International BCI Award:

The International BCI Award sponsored by g.tec medical engineering GmbH is back! If you're working on pioneering BCI research, use your chance to gain international recognition. With a total endowment of $6,000 USD and the possibility of publishing and presenting your work globally, this is an opportunity to shine at the forefront of neuroscience innovation.

Submission Deadline: September 1st, 2024

Nominees will be invited to: Submit a chapter for the BCI State-of-the-Art book series by Springer. Present their work at the prestigious BCI Award Ceremony. Receive keynote invitations to the BCI & Neurotechnology Spring School. For more details on submission and criteria, visit: https://www.bci-award.com Join the BCI Award Ceremony!

About the Podcast Guest:

Ahmadreza Keihani, PhD graduated with a BSc in Biomedical Engineering (Bioelectric) from Isfahan University in 2014 and completed his MSc and PhD in the same field at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), graduating as valedictorian in 2022. He was then invited to be an assistant professor of neuroimaging at TUMS but moved to the US in 2022 to learn more and work as a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, focusing on computational neuroscience. Ahmadreza’s research interests include neuroimaging, nonlinear dynamics, biomedical data science, and brain-computer interfaces (BCI). His PhD work on cortico-muscular coupling in ALS patients was nominated for the 2023 BCI Award. He is dedicated to translational research on neurological and psychiatric disorders, with a special focus on causal machine learning.

Link to the review BCI paper mentioned in the podcast interview: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/12/2/1211_2

Link to the work discussed in the podcast interview: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0270757

About the Podcast Host:

The Neurocareers podcast is brought to you by The Institute of Neuroapproaches (https://www.neuroapproaches.org/) and its founder, Milena Korostenskaja, Ph.D. (Dr. K), a neuroscience educator, research consultant, and career coach for people in neuroscience and neurotechnologies. As a professional coach with a background in the field, Dr. K understands the unique challenges and opportunities job applicants face in this field and can provide personalized coaching and support to help you succeed.

Here's what you'll get with one-on-one coaching sessions from Dr. K:

• Identification and pursuit of career goals
• Guidance on job search strategies, resume, and cover letter development
• Neurotech / neuroscience job interview preparation and practice
• Networking strategies to connect with professionals in the field of neuroscience and neurotechnologies
• Ongoing support and guidance to help you stay on track and achieve your goals

You can always schedule a free neurocareer consultation/coaching session with Dr. K at https://neuroapproaches.as.me/free-neurocareer-consultation

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