Two new faces at BrainLinks-BrainTools

We are happy to announce two new members who's expertise will widen the research performed in our center.

PD Dr. Cristian Pasluosta

Cristian Pasluosta is a research group leader in the laboratory of Biomedical Microtechnology of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Stieglitz. Cristian leads the Physiological Control Systems focus group, where they apply pattern recognition and machine learning techniques for human motion analysis. The research lies at the interface of machine learning, biomechanics, and motor control to study sensorimotor dysfunction.

PD Dr. Pasluosta is a biomedical engineer with expertise in human motor control and system neuroscience. He has specific training in the design of experimental paradigms and the application of signal processing and statistical methods to understand and treat disorders of the nervous system that affect the control of human limbs. He aims to contribute to the mentoring of other younger researchers outside of his group, which is an activity he greatly enjoys.

The interdisciplinary nature of the BrainLinks-BrainTools community greatly complements his research lines, specially in the context of the current “Internal World” focus line. As an active member of BrainLinks-BrainTools, Cristian is committed to the exchange of knowledge, the sharing of facilities and equipment, and the joint mentoring of junior fellows.  

Projects that crosslink with BrainLinks-BrainTools seek to understand sensorimotor uncertainties during walking and balance control in lower limb amputees and eye tracking during visual uncertainty. In those projects, his group investigates for the first time how lower limb amputees deal with sensorimotor uncertainties during gait and balance control using a Bayesian framework.

 

Dr. Deniz Kumral

Our research focuses on the intersection of sleep, aging, and cognitive function, particularly exploring how age-related changes in brain physiology affect plasticity, memory and learning processing. We employ machine learning techniques to decode brain activity during wake and sleep, recorded through EEG, to observe memory (re)processing. Further, by using concurrent fMRI and EEG, we examine how (age-related) sleep disturbances affect neural representations during online/offline period and learning-induced plasticity.

Being part of BrainLinks-BrainTools is highly motivating due to exceptional ecosystem that fosters collaboration between neuroscientists, biologists and engineers. This integration is crucial for developing new cognitive neuroscience tools and enhancing our understanding of  brain and bahevior (i.e., memory). Importantly, the collaborative environment at BrainLinks-BrainTools would not only enrich our research agenda but also accelerate the development of different tools (i.e., different machine learning approaches) via collaboration of other departments to enhance our understanding brain. I am also eager to work with experts on developing noninvasive interventions to manipulate brain oscillations (i.e., acoustic gamma stimulation) for enhanging physiology but also cognitive functioning (in aging).

We have experience in developing various experimental paradigms and methodologies that extend beyond traditional laboratory settings by employing real-world environments and naturalistic stimulus materials. I am happy to share our expertise in designing and analyzing such data, which is measured using multimodal imaging techniques (fMRI and EEG). Finally, my participation will diversify the BrainLinks-BrainTools cluster not only scientifically but also culturally, as a female, non-EU, early career researcher (ECR), contributing distinct perspectives and advocating for inclusivity.