Catheter-Based Technology to Interface with the Brain: Innovating with José Morales, MD at Vonova

How can we minimize the invasiveness of implantable brain-computer interfaces? What are the secrets behind using interventional neuroradiology approaches to create technology for brain interfacing? And what does it truly mean to innovate in the realm of healthcare?

Welcome, dear listeners, to another exciting episode of the "Neurocareers: Doing the Impossible!" entrepreneurial podcast series!

Today, we embark on a journey into the cutting-edge world of neurotechnology and innovation. Our focus? The incredible advancements in minimally invasive brain interfaces led by a pioneer in the field, Dr. Jose Morales.

Dr. Morales, a co-founder of Vonova and an accomplished Neurointerventional Surgeon, combines his deep passion for neuroscience with a remarkable flair for innovation. With a background steeped in translational neuroscience and experience in molecular-scale research, Dr. Morales is pushing the boundaries of neurointervention. His mission? To revolutionize diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for various neurological conditions while minimizing the invasiveness of traditional neurosurgery.

But Dr. Morales isn't just a visionary; he's a recognized leader in his field. His accolades include winning the UCLA Health Innovation Challenge and Radiological Sciences Exploratory Research seed grants, as well as being selected as a finalist for the inaugural MedTech Color competition and CLS FAST program in 2021. A co-founder of the neurotechnology company, Vonova, Inc., he and his team have been selected as an NIH Blueprint MedTach Seedling and EvoNexus Incubator portfolio company, as well as a UCLA Anderson Venture Accelerator company in 2023.

At the forefront of Vonova lies the development of minimally invasive brain interfaces. The goal? To transform the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Through the ingenious use of catheter-based technology, Vonova aims to provide solutions that are both less invasive and more effective for patients.

In this episode, we'll delve into Dr. Morales's extraordinary journey, exploring his career as a Neurointerventional Surgeon, his deep-rooted passion for neuroscience, and the groundbreaking work unfolding at Vonova. Together, we'll uncover the challenges and opportunities in this dynamic field, shining a spotlight on the thrilling intersection of medicine and technology.

Prepare to be inspired and enlightened as we engage in this captivating conversation with Dr. Jose Morales, a visionary shaping the future of neuroendovascular theranostics.

Tune in to 'Neurocareers' and join us for this enlightening exploration of the boundless potential within the world of neuroscience and innovation.

About the Podcast Guest:

José Morales is an entrepreneur and a neurointerventional surgeon at Pacific Neuroscience Institute (Santa Monica, CA). He completed his Neurology Residency at the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology at Northwestern University and Vascular Neurology and Interventional Neuroradiology Fellowships at the University of California Los Angeles. He is a medical school graduate from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, where he served as the President of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Student Interest Group in Neurology and participated in an extended curriculum program under the Scholarship and Discovery track to conduct research in Computational Neuroscience and Brain Machine Interface, which was funded by the AAN Medical Student Research Scholarship. Prior to enrolling in medical school, Dr. Morales investigated the neuroanatomical correlates of critical period plasticity in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus at Harvard Medical School. He is also a graduate of Imperial College London, where he completed a Master of Science in Integrative Neuroscience and investigated the functional connectivity of memory and language networks associated with normative and pathological aging in humans for his graduate thesis in the Computational, Cognitive, and Clinical Neuroimaging Laboratory. Dr. Morales is a clinician-scientist, who has published in journals, such as Neuron, Nature, and Stroke, and a medical device innovator with several issued medical device patents. For his innovative concepts, Dr. Morales was selected as a fellow for the 2021-2022 UCLA Biodesign Accelerator program.

Learn about Vonova here: https://www.vonova.io/ 

Get in touch with Jose Morales, MD, via LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jose-m-9672344b

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, and interview preparation
• Access to a network of 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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