Brain-Computer Interfaces and Neural Engineering

Research interests and expertise

Our research includes both Non-invasive Brain-computer interfaces and Invasive neural interfaces. We also work on Neural prostheses and Neuromuscular electrical stimulation, Rehabilitation engineering, Biomedical signal analysis, and Computational neuroscience.

We research Sensorimotor neurophysiology and develop Mathematical models of muscles nerves, and neural signals. We apply machine learning to biomedical signals to study bio-signals such as Event-Related Potentials (ERPs). We also study implanted cuff electrodes and EMG for to build prostheses for hand amputees.

We study brain connectivity analysis in the EEG, fNIRS, and fMRI as well as motor learning, motor control and perception. We also research integration of brain stimulation with BCI to provide novel therapies.

Other areas of research include: multi-sensory BCIs, collaborative forms of BCI, brainwave entrainment and its benefits in Parkinson’s disease,  BCIs for neuro-rehabilitation, technologies to restore sensory feedback in assistive devices, brain-to-brain communication, semantic BCIs, fatigue detection and learning. Finally, we are regular entrants in the Cybathlon competition.

A particularly successful direction for our recent research is developing Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs) for decision-making. We collect neural, physiological and behavioural data of individuals performing decision making tasks, which are used by our BCIs to improve individual and group performance in decision-making.  We are also exploring ways of making the BCI technology we develop usable in real-life decision making and have being awarded funding for this.

BCI-NE group members

The lab is a shared resource available to the members of the BCI-NE group. Group members include five professors and nine lecturers whose primary group is BCI-NE and a larger group of people whose primary group is one of the other three groups in CSEE. In addition, we have many post-doctoral researchers and PhD students within the group.

BEng in Neural Engineering with Psychology

We have recently created an exciting BEng Neural Engineering with Psychology course which is the first of its kind in Europe, and one of the very first in the world. Our BEng Neural Engineering with Psychology covers: brain-computer interfaces, the analysis and classification of neural signals, neuroimaging and brain stimulation technologies, brain and behaviour, the neuroscience of human nature, machine learning, and much more.

The course equips students with the knowledge and skills to be leaders in the development of novel technologies and applications for the rapidly developing and innovative neural engineering industry and as well as the well-established biomedical, electronic and software engineering.

Funded Research Projects

Our lab is involved in several projects. Two examples of these include:

• 2019-2023: Dr Luca Citi (PI), Dr Dimitri Ognibene and Dr Tom Foulsham (Co-Is), EU Horizon 2020 project entitled “POTION – Promoting social interaction through emotional body odours”.
• 2018-2022: a prestigious 3-year grant under the US Department of Defence’s inaugural Bilateral Academic Research Initiative (BARI), for a project entitled “Adaptive joint cognitive systems for complex and strategic decision making: building trust in human-machine teams through brain-computer-interface augmentation, social interaction and mutual learning”.  The Essex team is formed by Prof Riccardo Poli (PI and UK team leader), Dr Luca Citi (Co-I), Dr Caterina Cinel (Co-I) and two postdoctoral fellows.