Castagnola, Neural Interface Researcher Building Next-Generation Tools for Brain Research, Appointed

The Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I³R) at the University of Arkansas has welcomed Elisa Castagnola as an associate professor and its first faculty member jointly appointed with the Department of Physics. Castagnola, an NSF CAREER Award recipient, brings $1.25 million in active research funding to advance implantable technologies that reveal how the brain works in real time.

Castagnola develops neural interfaces that can monitor the brain's electrical and chemical activity over long periods. Her work brings together bioengineering, materials science, neuroscience and physics to create tools for neurological research and, ultimately, patient care.

"Understanding the brain requires new materials, innovative devices, and new ways to measure neural activity in real time," Castagnola said. "I am excited to join colleagues at the University of Arkansas who are advancing the frontiers of material science, neural technology, engineering and neuroscience."

Castagnola is quickly building her research group at Arkansas. A master's student and a doctoral student have joined the team, and she is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher and more graduate and undergraduate students. Her appointment reflects I³R's mission to bring together researchers across disciplines and her work complements research already underway at the institute and in the Department of Physics.

"Elisa's work sits where bioengineering, materials science and neuroscience meet - exactly the kind of impactful, cross-disciplinary research I³R was created to support," said Hugh Churchill, I³R interim director. "Her joint appointment in physics is an important milestone and shows what I³R-college integration can make possible."

Julia Kennefick, chair of the Department of Physics, said Castagnola's appointment will create new opportunities for students. "Elisa's expertise gives our students a chance to apply physics fundamentals to problems with real consequences for human health. We look forward to the learning opportunities she will make possible for graduate and undergraduate researchers."

A native of Genoa, Italy, Castagnola earned an engineering degree from the University of Genoa and a doctorate in robotics, neuroscience and nanotechnologies from the Italian Institute of Technology. She completed postdoctoral research at the Italian Institute of Technology and San Diego State University and later joined the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Bioengineering as research faculty. Before coming to Arkansas, she was an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Louisiana Tech University.