VISE Fall Seminar with Daniel Gonzales, PhD
VISE welcomes Daniel Gonzales, PhD, to our Fall Seminar Series.
Daniel Gonzales, PhD
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Vanderbilt University
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Location: SVC 5326
Time: 11:45 am for lunch,12:00 start
Talk Title:
Flexible brain implants for stable recordings across species
Abstract:
Neurophysiological recordings have traditionally relied on rigid substrates such as silicon, steel, and tungsten. These materials mismatch the mechanical properties of soft brain tissue, reducing recording stability and leading to signal degradation over time. Moreover, the opacity of these conventional substrates limits integration with powerful optical techniques for imaging and manipulating neural circuits. I will present our group’s recent advances in flexible, transparent neural interfaces that provide chronic, stable, and optically compatible access to neuronal populations. In non-human primates, our flexible electrode arrays yield reliable population-level recordings during complex cognitive behaviors, demonstrating improved stability compared to conventional rigid arrays. In rodents, we achieve months-long chronic recordings using flexible implants. By combining this electrical access with an optical window, we achieve simultaneous optical interrogation of neuronal dynamics. Together, these results highlight a path toward durable, multimodal interfaces for long-term investigation of neural circuits across species.
Short Bio:
Daniel Gonzales is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and a member of the Vanderbilt Brain Institute and VINSE. His lab develops advanced brain interfaces to study the neural computations underlying learning and cognition. Before joining Vanderbilt, Daniel trained at Rice University, where he received his PhD in Applied Physics, and at Purdue University, where he performed his postdoctoral work. His work has been recognized by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and National Science Foundation.