Aberra Awarded Poster Prize at Carolina Neurostimulation Conference

Aman Aberra, a PhD student in Duke University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, was awarded the first place Best Poster Award at the 2019 Carolina Neurostimulation Conference (CNC) held at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill for his poster, “Multi-scale modeling of transcranial magnetic stimulation in head model with morphologically-realistic cortical neurons.” This conferenced hosted international experts in brain stimulation, network dynamics, and modeling and analysis of brain activity.

Aman works in the laboratories of Warren Grill and Angel Peterchev, where he uses computational models to understand how various brain stimulation technologies affect neural activity at the single-cell and population levels. His focus has been on noninvasive technologies that alter brain activity by delivering electromagnetic energy through the scalp, like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS is used clinically to map brain function and treat drug-resistant depression, and it is being investigated for a number of other disorders. However, its mechanisms of action are still relatively unknown. Using computational models, Aman seeks to understand better the underlying mechanisms of TMS, which will help improve the efficacy of TMS as a therapeutic tool for a range of clinical applications.