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 aids applicants to locate 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 to contact our P.I.s directly with that same information.
Step 2: Choose a graduate program
Rice NEI is not a department. Rather, we are a cross-disciplinary center comprised of different departments within the university. 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, 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 | BIOE | ECE | MECH | APP | SSPB |
| Behnaam Aazhang | 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 | |||
| Xaq Pitkow** | X | X | |||
| John Seymour** | X | X | |||
| Jerzy Szablowski | X | X | X | ||
| Chong Xie | X | X | X | ||
** notes faculty who are have joint Rice/TMC positions. Applicants should contact these researchers for specifics on labs 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
- Applied Physics Graduate Program
- Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering
TMC Researchers
A number of 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 directly or exploring current NEI/TMC partnerships page (coming soon)
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Undergraduate researchers are always welcome to contact our labs to inquire about rotations at the Rice NEI. Often project-based, NEI faculty often have need of support with specific tasks or experiments. Students interested should, again, take time to look at the research areas of each P.I. and their various research groups before emailing a cover letter and CV to make sure your goals and skills align with that of the lab. General inquires about the NEI can be sent anytime to neuro@rice.edu