Two neuroengineers trained by the Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) will continue their research outside Brazil. Gerôncio Oliveira and Emille Alves, graduates of the Postgraduate Program in Neuroengineering (PPGN), were accepted into the doctoral program in Translational Neurosciences and Neurotechnologies (Translational Neurosciences and Neurotechnologies, in free translation), from the Italian Institute of Technology, linked to the University of Ferrara, in Italy.
The three-year doctorate explores advanced lines of research in neuroscience and neural technologies. During their time in Italy, researchers will have the opportunity to expand studies initiated at the Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience (IIN-ELS), an ISD unit located in Macaíba/RN.
Psychologist Gerôncio Oliveira intends to use machine learning techniques to investigate relationships between electroencephalography (EEG) data and motion capture in joint motor tasks performed by two people. Although his master's dissertation focused on contextual memory in animal models, he highlighted how multidisciplinary learning at ISD expanded his possibilities for action.
“For me, this is the main positive point of IIN-ELS: the opportunity to explore different areas and pursue a PhD in the one I liked the most. Although my master's project did not involve the use of EEG or motion capture, I had the chance to learn about them in parallel projects and in the courses, which now allows me to deepen my research using these data collection methods,” commented Gerôncio.
Speech therapist Emille Alves, approved in the research line Neurophysiology of Communication and Neurotechnologies (Neurophysiology of Communication and Neurotechnologies), aims to explore how the brain processes communicative and linguistic behaviors, in addition to developing innovative neural interfaces for brain decoding.
During her master's degree, Emille deepened her understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms involved in hearing loss caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise, highlighting the impact of this type of damage on the integrity of the auditory system. She emphasized the importance of this experience for her education and for the direction of her academic career.
“The master’s degree in neuroengineering opened several new doors for me, but without closing any of the ones that were already open when I graduated. It allowed me to rethink the knowledge I had already acquired and complement it, while learning new things,” he said.
The approval of the two graduates reaffirms the excellence of the multidisciplinary training offered by ISD, consolidating the Institute as a national and international reference in Neuroengineering. Both will soon travel to Italy, taking with them the scientific base built in Brazil and ready to contribute to cutting-edge research in the field of neuroscience.
The Master
Created in 2013, the ISD Master's in Neuroengineering is the first and only one in the field recognized by the Ministry of Education (MEC) in Brazil. Free and lasting 24 months, the program prepares professionals to work in a global and interdisciplinary manner, promoting advances in research and development of innovative technologies.
With Biomedical Engineering as the area of concentration, the course activities are carried out at IIN-ELS, in Macaíba, approximately 25 km from Natal/RN. To facilitate access, the ISD offers free transportation for students between the two cities.
ABOUT ISD
The Santos Dumont Institute is a Social Organization linked to the Ministry of Education (MEC) and includes the Edmond and Lily Safra International Neuroscience Institute and the Anita Garibaldi Health Education and Research Center, both in Macaíba. ISD's mission is to promote education for life, forming citizens through integrated teaching, research and extension actions, in addition to contributing to a fairer and more humane transformation of Brazilian social reality.
