Research Focus Areas

Building the Future of Neurorestoration. Today.

To achieve our goals of designing innovative, minimally invasive neural interfaces, we integrate functional and peripheral nerve neurosurgery with neural engineering, biomaterials, computational modeling and bioelectronics. We create implantable systems capable of long-term stability and therapeutic efficacy by addressing foreign body responses and enhancing tissue integration through biohybrid constructs. Our research spans the full translational pipeline from in silico modeling and advanced manufacturing to in vivo validation in rodent and pre-clinical models.

Minimally Invasive Neural Interfaces
Active

Minimally Invasive Neural Interfaces

Developing flexible electronics with shape actuation that can be rolled into needle-like forms for percutaneous insertion, then expanded in place to deliver spinal cord stimulation therapy

Shape-Actuated Bioelectronics Percutaneous Implantation Spinal Cord Neuromodulation
Circumferential Neural Interfacing
Active

Circumferential Neural Interfacing

Creating ultraconformable cuff implants for 360-degree recording and stimulation of peripheral nerves and spinal cord at sub-nerve resolutions

Flexible Bioelectronics Spinal Cord Bioelectronics Peripheral Nerve Interfaces
Biohybrid Neural Interfaces
Active

Biohybrid Neural Interfaces

Integrating living neural tissue with bioelectronic devices to achieve functional restoration of amputated peripheral nerves through regenerative bioelectronics

Regenerative Bioelectronics Neurorestoration Stem Cell Therapy
Foreign Body Reaction to Implantable Devices
Active

Foreign Body Reaction to Implantable Devices

Preventing immune responses to neural implants through inflammasome inhibition and understanding how tissue mechanics influence regenerative capacity post-injury

Biocompatibility Long-term Implant Stability Immune Response Mitigation

Meet Our Team

Our interdisciplinary team combines expertise in neurosurgery, neural engineering, bioelectronics, and biomaterials to develop transformative neurorestoration technologies.

Principal Investigator

Damiano Barone, MD, PhD, FRCS

Damiano Barone, MD, PhD, FRCS

Associate Professor of Neurosurgery

Houston Methodist

Peripheral Nerve Surgery Epilepsy Surgery Regenerative Neuroprosthetics

Postdoctoral Researchers

Jiyoon Kim, PhD

Jiyoon Kim, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Houston Methodist Research Institute

Closed-loop Neurostimulation Medical Electronics Design Brain-Computer Interfaces

PhD Students

Andrea Altilia

Graduate Neurosurgery Research Fellow

Houston Methodist Research Institute

Daniil Fedorov, MD

Graduate Neurosurgery Research Fellow

Houston Methodist Research Institute & Swansea University

Translational Neuroengineering Biohybrid Neural Interfaces Peripheral Nerve Injury Repair
Kesi Liang

Kesi Liang

PhD Student

Rice University, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Neural Interfaces Neuromodulation Central Nervous System
Sydney Swedick

Sydney Swedick

PhD Student

University of Cambridge, Bioelectronics Lab

Peripheral Nerve Restoration Flexible Bioelectronics Regenerative Medicine
Xueer Zhang

Xueer Zhang

PhD Student

Rice University, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Bioelectronic Interface Modeling Computational Analysis Neural Signal Processing

Visiting Researchers

Salim El Hadwe, MD

Visiting Researcher, 2025

University of Cambridge

Matthew Goldman

Matthew Goldman

Neurosurgical Resident

Houston Methodist

Brain-Computer Interfaces Artificial Intelligence in Neurosurgery Functional Neurosurgery
Taha Hashmi

Taha Hashmi

M.D./M.Eng. Candidate

Texas A&M University

Neuroprosthetics Neuromodulation Biocompatible Neural Interfaces
Featured Publications
News & Events

Collaborators & Partners

Building a Global Network for Neurorestoration

George Malliaras (Bioelectronics Laboratory) – University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering

Mark Kotter (Cambridge Stem Cell Institute) – University of Cambridge

Christopher Proctor (Proctor Group) – University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science

Scott Keene (Keene Lab) – Rice University, Materials Science and NanoEngineering

Christina Tringides (Tringides Lab) – Rice University, Materials Science and NanoEngineering

Chong Xie (Xie Lab) — Rice University, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Neuroengineering

Lan Luan (Luan Laboratory) — Rice University, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Swansea University – Swansea-Methodist Collaborative PhD Program

University of Cambridge
Rice University
University of Oxford
Swansea University
University of Hong Kong

Contact Us

Visit Our Lab

Barone Neurorestoration Lab

Houston Methodist Neurological Institute

6560 Fannin St, Suite 802

Houston, Texas 77030

United States

View on Map

Connect With Us

Prospective Members

Interested in joining our lab?

View Open Positions