Investigators and Program Directors
Gerwin Schalk
Research Scientist, Wadsworth Center, Neural Injury & Repair
Associate Professor, School of Public Health, Biomedical Sciences
Ph.D., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2006)
M.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2001)
M.S., Graz University of Technology (1999)
E-mail:schalk@wadsworth.org
Research Interests
My main professional interest is technical innovation at the intersection of science, engineering, and economics. My current primary research interest is the further development of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology.
BCI systems are devices that can provide non-muscular communication and control options to people with severe motor disabilities. To remove the impediments that currently impede translation of BCI technical demonstrations into clinical practice, I am currently designing innovative software and novel signal processing techniques, and validating a new sensor modality.
The software engineering efforts are centered on BCI2000, a general-purpose software system for brain-computer interfacing and brain monitoring. This NIH-funded system supports implementation of any BCI system and already supports a variety of input devices, brain signals, and user applications. BCI2000 is currently in use by more than 120 laboratories world-wide that use the system for a variety of studies.
The signal processing efforts are focused on the development and implementation of SIGFRIED, a novel real-time signal visualization technique for complex brain signals. SIGFRIED can translate ongoing complex brain signals into an output that can be easily understood by non-experts. Possible applications include intraoperative mapping of cortical function and BCI control that does not require laborious calibration by BCI experts.
Sensor validation is centered on the evaluation of sensors placed subdurally on the surface of the brain as a signal source for BCI control. These electrocorticographic (ECoG) sensors support higher spatial resolution, higher bandwidth, and less susceptibility to noise compared to sensors placed on the scalp, and presumably have less clinical risk and stability problems than electrodes implanted within the brain. This development and validation effort promises to lead to more powerful but yet clinically practical BCI systems.
Contact Information
Laboratory of Nervous System Disorders
Division of Genetic Disorders
Wadsworth Center
New York State Department of Health
E1001 Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12201
Phone: (518) 486-2559
Fax: (518) 486-4910
E-mail: schalk@wadsworth.org