Chuyi Cui, PhD

Jin Woo Choi, PhD

Jin Woo graduated from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and completed his MS and PhD in Computer Science at the same university under Dr. Sungho Jo. During his time at KAIST, Jin Woo's research focused on utilizing machine learning techniques to analyze EEG signals and develop non-invasive brain-computer interfaces for immersive virtual reality and real-world scenarios. At Stanford, Jin Woo will investigate various machine learning algorithms to process neural and kinematic data and apply his findings to develop adaptive deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's Disease. In his leisure time, Jin Woo enjoys going to the gym, watching documentary films, and playing pool.

Gang Seo, PhD

Gang pursued his BS and MS in Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University and completed his PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Houston under the supervision of Dr. Jinsook Roh. His PhD dissertation focused on characterizing and assessing motor coordination after stroke and developing a novel stroke rehabilitation protocol based on the concept of muscle synergy. In the Bronte-Stewart Lab, he will investigate cognitive and cognitive-motor dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease using a novel deep brain stimulation approach. Outside the lab, he enjoys playing sports and musical instruments.

Annie Abay

Research Assistant

Annie graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Brain and Cognitive Sciences. Her background is in machine learning research and clinical care. At IBM Research, she worked on designing distributed ML techniques with data privacy constraints i.e. HIPAA, and developing enterprise-level federated learning infrastructure. She also has clinical experience working with patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, and various movement constraints. At Stanford, she hopes to advance the development of treatments that better the lives of patients with Parkinson’s disease, and more deeply understand of the relationship between their physical and cognitive symptoms. Outside of the lab, Annie enjoys writing, playing volleyball, and traveling.

Pranav Akella

Research Assistant

Pranav holds an Sc.M. in Biotechnology from Brown University and a B.S. in Bioengineering (Biotechnology) from UC San Diego. His Master's thesis centered around developing a machine learning algorithm that modulated deep brain stimulation parameters to reduce power in the beta band of Parkinson's Disease patients. To aid in his thesis research, Pranav interfaced with Parkinson's Disease patients intraoperatively and helped develop communication software between two systems involved in modulating the deep brain stimulation parameters. Prior to graduate school, Pranav worked as a regulatory medical writer and manufacturing associate where he developed an interest in creating integrated systems that would aid in biological research. During his undergraduate studies, he built an interest in research through his work UC San Francisco, where he studied biomechanics in the School of Dentistry, and his work at UC San Diego, where he studied cartilage tissue engineering in the Jacobs School of Engineering. At Stanford, Pranav wants to further his understanding of neural and behavioral variables that can be used to alleviate parkinsonian symptoms in PD patients. In his free time, he likes to hike, sing, and travel.

Charlotte Casselton

Research Assistant

Charlotte holds a Sc.M. in Kinesiology from the University of Massachusetts and a B.S. in Sport & Exercise Science from University of Kent, UK. During her Master’s thesis research Charlotte investigated how anxiety and visual perturbations can lead to alterations in pre-frontal cortex activity. To conduct this research, she utilized functional near-infrared spectroscopy to measure alterations in cortical activity and contributed to the development of a novel treadmill perturbation task. During her undergraduate studies, she developed an interest in research through her work at the University of Kent, where she studied biomechanics and completed a research scholarship in physiology. At Stanford, Charlotte hopes to explore the neural mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and contribute to the development of innovative therapies to alleviate Parkinsonian symptoms and improve the quality of life for Parkinson’s patients. In her free time, she enjoys reading, martial arts, cycling and baking.

Aryaman Gala

Research Assistant

Aryaman graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a minor in data science. He has prior experience in performing computational and histological analysis to evaluate the efficacy of electrical stimulation in promoting neurorehabilitation after ischemic strokes. He has also worked with eye-tracking and EEG data to identify early biomarkers of autism. At Stanford, Aryaman hopes to understand the neural and kinematic dynamics of Parkinson's Disease and contribute to the optimization of neuromodulation therapies to improve treatment outcomes for patients with movement disorders. Outside of work, Aryaman enjoys playing soccer, listening to music, hiking, and mountain biking.

Shannon Hoffman, PT, DPT

Research Assistant

Shannon is a physical therapist with several years of experience in clinical practice, research, and education at Washington University in St. Louis, Sacramento State, and outpatient rehabilitation centers in Missouri and California. Her primary focus has been on the evaluation and treatment of neurologic disorders affecting balance and gait including peripheral and central vestibular disorders, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. Shannon earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis in 2007 and her BA in anthropology and pre-professional studies from the University of Notre Dame in 2004. At Stanford, she hopes to develop a deeper understanding of the neural and biomechanical mechanisms underlying gait and balance impairments, the relationship between these impairments and cognition, and novel treatment options to improve patient outcomes. In her spare time, Shannon enjoys hiking, cooking and baking, and playing music with her husband and children.

Tatianna Howard

Research Assistant

Tatianna has an A.A in Psychology from Chabot College, and a B.A in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a neurobiology emphasis from the University of California, Berkeley. She previously worked in a Cognitive Psychology Lab studying the efficacy of a novel form of noninvasive brain stimulation that would eventually be used in clinical settings to treat drug-resistant neurological disorders such as Depression, Anxiety and Schizophrenia. Her interest in Neurological Diseases, such as Parkinson’s Disease, stems from experiences in her childhood watching her grandmother’s battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. During her time at Stanford Tatianna hopes to explore the differences in the biomarkers of Parkinson’s disease Dementia and other types of Dementia, as well as discovering novel therapies that will improve the quality of life for Parkinson’s Disease patients. In Tatianna’s free time she enjoys reading, drawing, going on walks, and coming up with new workout routines to do in the gym.

Shreesh Karjagi

Research Assistant

Shreesh graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Bioengineering. Previously, he researched the integration of 3D-printed magnetoelastic self-powered sensors for providing closed loop tactile feedback in bionic arms. He also has experience working at a medical device start-up in the domain of implantable micro-infusion drug pumps. At Stanford, Shreesh is dedicated to understanding and contributing to the optimization of adaptive deep brain stimulation for enhanced treatment outcomes in Parkinson’s patients, driven by his interest in remote disease management based on real-time physiological data. Outside of work, Shreesh likes volunteering, gardening, and experimenting with new vegetarian recipes.

Aarushi Negi

Research Assistant

Aarushi graduated from Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in Neuroscience. At Vanderbilt, she performed computational and neuroimaging analysis to analyze functional and structural connectivity disturbances in focal epilepsy. She also has prior experience in assessing the effects of musical intervention on the mood and cognitive symptoms of those with Alzheimer’s disease. At Stanford, Aarushi hopes to explore the neural mechanisms underlying gait and cognitive impairments in people with Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, she is interested in contributing to the development of novel therapies that improve quality of life in PD patients. In her free time, Aarushi enjoys dancing, running, being in nature, and listening to music.

Laura Parisi

Research Assistant

Laura graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Psychology. She has previous experience in assessing the effects of femoroacetabular impingement on hip cartilage through kinematic data analysis, as well as investigating the relationships between specific gene and protein signatures to determine clinical significance and predict patient outcome in individuals with lung adenocarcinoma. At Stanford, she hopes to deepen her understanding of neural and gait characteristics in individuals with Parkinson’s disease along with exploring novel treatments that can improve the lives of patients with movement disorders. Outside of work, Laura enjoys fashion, film, spending time with her friends, and trying new foods

Kevin Wilkins, PhD

Research Scientist

Kevin graduated from Boston College in 2014 with a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in English. He then completed his PhD in Neuroscience at Northwestern University in 2019 under Dr. Jun Yao  in the Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences Department. His research at Northwestern focused on the neural changes following device-assisted hand/arm interventions in individuals with severe chronic hemiparetic stroke, as well as the neural mechanisms underlying the observed upper extremity impairments. At Stanford, Kevin will transition towards evaluating the efficacy of adaptable deep brain stimulators in individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. Outside of lab, Kevin enjoys sports, playing with his dog, cooking, and exploring all the great food the bay area has to offer.