At the Neural Electrokinetics Laboratory, we develop translational applications for neural intervention technology based on trans- and multidisciplinary team members.
Amir H. Faraji, MD, PhD. Principal Investigator.
Dr. Amir Faraji is a neurosurgeon in Houston, Texas at Houston Methodist Hospital. He received his medical and doctorate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and undergraduate degree from the University of Florida. He completed residency and an enfolded fellowship in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery and epilepsy surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He also completed a second fellowship in peripheral nerve surgery at the Washington University in St. Louis and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Dr. Faraji specializes in epilepsy surgery, peripheral nerve surgery, and stereotactic & functional neurosurgery and is experienced in neuromodulation (deep brain stimulation), brain tumor surgery, peripheral nerve disorders, radiosurgery, and epilepsy surgery.
Finally, Dr. Faraji is also a scientist working to develop new drug delivery strategies to the brain, advance brain, spinal, and peripheral nerve regeneration, and engineer novel neural interfaces and prosthetics devices as the founder of the Neural Electrokinetics Laboratory at the Houston Methodist Research Institute.
Khaled M. Taghlabi, MD Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr. Khaled Taghlabi holds a medical degree from Beirut Arab University, School of Medicine in Beirut, Lebanon. He completed several surgical internships in the United States and the United Kingdom. He also completed a Trauma and Orthopedics research fellowship at the University of Kansas Medical Center before he moved to Houston to establish the lab with Dr. Faraji.
Dr. Taghlabi’s research interest involves traumatic spine injuries, trauma resuscitation and management outcomes, and the development of neurosurgical methods. He is also working alongside Dr. Faraji to develop new drug delivery strategies to the brain, advance brain, spinal, and peripheral nerve regeneration, and engineer novel neural interfaces and prosthetics devices as the co-founder of the Neural Electrokinetics Laboratory at the Houston Methodist Research Institute.
Dr. Taghlabi enjoys swimming, playing soccer, and traveling in his free time.
Jesus G. Cruz-Garza, PhD
Dr. Cruz-Garza holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering, with a concentration in Neuro-engineering, signal processing, and machine learning, from the University of Houston. Some of his contributions include the use of EEG to characterize and classify expressive movements with high predictability; exploring the emergence and development of learning in human infants; and the implementation of classical and deep learning techniques for brain dynamics characterization in real-world settings and virtual reality. He co-edited a book on Mobile Brain-Body Imaging and the Neuroscience of Art, Innovation and Creativity. His multidisciplinary research bridges neuroscience, engineering, and the human creative process in real-world, virtual reality, and augmented reality settings. He enjoys dancing salsa, playing chess, and writing.
Taimur Hassan, B.S., M.P.H., M.B.A.
Taimur Hassan is a medical student at Texas A&M School of Medicine and completed his undergraduate degree in Biology at UT Austin. He also received his MPH from UT Health Science Center in Houston and an MBA from Texas A&M University. He is currently a researcher at the lab. He plans to enter a neurosurgery residency and pursue a career as a physician-scientist.
Lokeshwar S. Bhenderu, B.S.
Lokeshwar S. Bhenderu is a medical student at Texas A&M College of Medicine and completed his undergraduate degree in biochemistry at UT Dallas. He is currently a BWF Scholar pursing a M.S. during a dedicated research year. He plans to enter a neurosurgery residency and pursue a career as a physician-scientist.
Jaime R. Guerrero, M.D.
Dr. Guerrero is a Neurosurgery resident, PGY 5. Med school: UT Health San Antonio. Undergrad: UT Austin. Career interests: MIS/complex spine surgery, peripheral nerve surgery. Research fellow with the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, at Houston Methodist.