Graduate/PhD Student Research in the Neuroengineering Initiative
How to Apply
The Rice Neuroengineering Initiative is comprised of cross-disciplinary labs run by faculty with a broad range of research interests including: non-invasive neuromodulation, deep brain stimulation, signal processing, brain computer interfaces, and nanotechnologies. Our multi-faceted approach to researching and treating neurological disorders means that our faculty draw students from multiple areas within the George R. Brown School of Engineering to contribute to new and ongoing projects.
Students interested in participating in Neuroengineering research at Rice should take the following steps:
Step 1: Review NEI labs and identify faculty investigators
A review of research areas at the NEI or the identification of research groups associated with the NEI can help students find the right fit for their interests and aid applicants in locating the proper program for their graduate work. Students interested in the Rice Neuroengineering Initiative are always welcome to submit their CV and letter of interest to the department (neuro@rice.edu) or contact our P.I.s directly with that information.
Step 2: Choose a graduate program
Rice NEI is not a department. Rather, we are a cross-disciplinary center comprising different university departments. While most faculty members bring on students from different areas within the George R. Brown School of Engineering, they primarily recruit from their home department or from cross-departmental graduate programs (e.g. APP and SSPB). To identify which graduate program to apply to, we recommend using the matrix below to select a program that includes the group of faculty you are most interested in working with.
| Faculty | Department Programs |
Cross-Department Programs |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| click on faculty for lab website | MSNE | BIOE | ECE | MECH | APP | SSPB |
| Behnaam Aazhang | X | |||||
| Jessica Butts | X | X | ||||
| Valentin Dragoi** | X | |||||
| Benjamin Hayden** | X | |||||
| Sarah Heilbronner** | X | |||||
| Scott Keene | X | |||||
| Caleb Kemere | X | X | X | |||
| Lan Luan | X | X | X | |||
| Marcie O'Malley | X | |||||
| Jacob Robinson | X | X | X | X | ||
| Ankit Patel** | X | X | ||||
| Nicole Provenza** | X | |||||
| John Seymour** | X | X | ||||
| Jerzy Szablowski | X | X | X | |||
| Christina Tringides | X | |||||
| Chong Xie | X | X | X | |||
** denotes faculty who are have joint Rice/TMC positions. Applicants should contact these researchers for specifics on lab rotations between their institutions.
Step 3: Apply
After determining the graduate program that best matches your interests, follow the links below to apply. In the application, please be sure to mention your desire to train in neuroengineering and the specific faculty/lab that align with your interests.
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Department of Bioengineering
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Material Science and Nanoengineering
- Applied Physics Graduate Program
- Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering
TMC Researchers
Several inter-institutional graduate-level courses are available through agreements with numerous TMC programs. Please see the Rice University Office of the Registrar to see if your institution qualifies and what rules and guidelines need to be observed. Direct research with NEI labs can be arranged by contacting each lab's principal investigator or emailing us at neuro@rice.edu.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities and Coursework
Undergraduate researchers are always welcome to contact our labs to inquire about rotations at the Rice NEI. We highly recommend that UG students take several courses in neuroengineering, neuroscience, or related fields before exploring roles within the NEI. Please see this list for a handful of current offerings at Rice that can help introduce you to both our coursework and some of our faculty.
Often project-based, NEI faculty need support with specific tasks or experiments. Students interested should look at the research areas of each P.I. and their various research groups before emailing a cover letter and CV to ensure your goals and skills align with those of the lab. General inquiries about the NEI can be sent anytime to neuro@rice.edu.