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\title{Science AMA Series: We're Karim Oweiss \& Kevin Otto, engineering
professors at the University of Florida and PIs in DARPA's Targeted
Neuroplasticity Training program. We both enjoy helping people with
neurological injuries and disorders. AUA!}



\author[1]{Targeted_Neuro }%
\author[1]{r/Science AMAs}%
\affil[1]{Affiliation not available}%


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  \date{April 24, 2026}


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\begin{abstract}
A third of all human disease is related to the nervous system. That's
why President Obama launched the BRAIN Initiative. That's why the two of
us have devoted our lives to studying the brain. We are Karim Oweiss,
professor of electrical and computer engineering, biomedical
engineering, and neuroscience, and Kevin J. Otto, associate professor of
biomedical engineering. We're both faculty in the Herbert Wertheim
College of Engineering and members of a campus-wide community at the
University of Florida that is working together to understand the
structure and function of the brain, and to unlock breakthrough
therapies. Last month we were each awarded \$4.2 million from the
Department of Defense to investigate how applying electrical stimulation
to peripheral nerves can strengthen neuronal connections in the brain
and accelerate learning. Our research projects -- which are actually
totally separate -- are two of eight projects nationwide selected for
the Targeted Neuroplasticity Training program of the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency, or DARPA. To the best of our ability we will
answer questions about these projects, as well as anything you might
want to about emerging neurotechnologies and tools, neurological
disorders and diseases, and the effects of aging on the brain. Here's a
little more information about us: Karim Oweiss (@koweiss): My lab is
focused on studying the basic mechanisms of sensorimotor integration and
learning, and engineering clinically viable brain machine interface
(BMI) systems to restore, augment or repair damaged neurological
functions like hearing, sight and movement. We focus on mechanisms of
neural integration and coordination in executive control areas of the
brain such as the prefrontal and sensorimotor cortices. We're working to
understand how ensembles of neurons represent and integrate multiple
sensory cues to guide motor action; how neural computations take place
at the cellular and population levels with cell-type specificity; how
neural ensemble activity can be decoded to actuate artificial devices;
and how precise control of cell-type-specific events can perturb and
control neural responses to evoke desired behavioral outcomes, as well
as long-lasting plastic changes in neural circuits that mediate this
behavior. An ultimate goal is to make a quantum leap in machine
intelligence by developing bio-inspired smart algorithms for a variety
of applications such as autonomous vehicles and Lifelong Learning
Machines. I moved my lab to the University of Florida in 2014 after 11
years as faculty at Michigan State University. I am a professor in UF's
Department of Electrical Engineering, with affiliate faculty
appointments in the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical
Engineering and the McKnight Brain Institute. I received my Ph.D. degree
in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor. I'm a senior member of the IEEE, received the
excellence in Neural Engineering award from NSF, and am editor of the
book: Statistical Signal Processing for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology
(2010). Kevin Otto (@OttoKev): My research is focused on engineering
neural interfaces for both research purposes as well as treatment
options in neurological injuries or disease. In particular,
multi-channel implantable microdevices in both the central and
peripheral nervous systems. These interfaces are being investigated for
many applications including sensory replacement, cognitive functional
therapy, and neuromodulation for autonomic therapies. In 2014, I joined
the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering at UF
as an associate professor after eight years as faculty at Purdue
University. My post-doc fellowship at the University of Michigan, Ann
Arbor, was in biomedical engineering and in the department of
otolaryngology with a focus on cochlear implants. I earned my Ph.D. in
biomedical engineering at Arizona State University. I am the co-chair
for this year's National Biomedical Engineering Society Annual
Conference. We will be back at 1 pm ET to answer your questions, ask us
anything! Hey everyone, we're jumping on now to answer your questions
until 3pm ET%
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