Samantha R.Santacruz
- srsantacruz@utexas.edu
- BME 5.202E
Neural engineering; Brain-computer interfaces; Neurotherapeutic devices; Neuromodulation; Multi-scale models of neural dynamics
About
Samantha Santacruz’s research interests are in experimental neuroengineering, brain-computer interfaces, neural interface fabrication, computational neuroscience and neural dynamics.
Understanding, predicting and controlling the intricate dynamics of the brain remains one of the most complex challenges in science and engineering. Santacruz’s research program uniquely combines device engineering with advanced computational models to facilitate a closed-loop technology development and data analysis research cycle. She engineers neurotechnologies of different modalities to probe and control neural signals, spanning specificity from single cells to populations of neurons. In turn, computational methods are used to explain neural dynamics, predict how our tools mediate function, and inform desired functionality for future engineered devices.
Dr. Santacruz received her B.A. with honors in applied mathematics from UC Berkeley in 2006, her M.S. in electrical engineering from Rice University in 2010 and her Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering at Rice University in 2014. She received the Best Thesis Award for her doctoral work on engineering new methods of deep brain stimulation. She completed her postdoctoral work at UC Berkeley with Jose Carmena before joining the Biomedical Engineering faculty at UT Austin. Santacruz received the National Science Foundation CAREER Award in 2022 and was recently elevated to senior member status in the IEEE Society, the largest global professional association for electrical engineers. In 2024, she was honored with the Rice George R. Brown School of Engineering Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni Award. Her lab has received funding from the National Institutes for Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), Army Research Office (ARO) and the Whitehall Foundation.
Educational Qualifications
Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University
M.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University
B.S., Applied Mathematics, University of California, Berkeley
Select Awards & Honors
- Rice George R. Brown School of Engineering Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni Award
- IEEE Senior Member
- NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award
- NSF Southwest I-Corps Program – select participant
- 2020 National Academy of Engineering US Frontiers of Engineering Symposium – selected participant
- Best Thesis Award – Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Rice University