Hannah Field

Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide. While clinical interventions have targeted the acute stroke window, increasing the survival rate, therapeutics that address long-term functional disability remain limited. The ElectricStem platform developed in the George lab is the first of its kind to combine multiple modalities of stroke therapy and to allow for continuous interaction with the neural environment. By understanding the electrical and chemical mechanisms by which ElectricStem affects homeostasis and plasticity in the peri-infarct cortex, I aim to maximize its performance. Using mathematical techniques from control theory, I aim to develop a wireless, closed-loop platform for stimulating ElectricStem based on intrinsic signals in the brain. Ultimately, the closed-loop ElectricStem platform has the potential to aid patients with functional recovery from stroke in the subacute to chronic stage.