IEEE Brain Discovery and Neurotechnology Workshop
September 12 – 13, 2025
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Registration starting June 2025
Advances in understanding of the brain both in healthy individuals and those suffering from a disorder is leading to groundbreaking discoveries and engineering solutions. Even so, development and deployment of effective neurotechnology and means of studying the brain through neuroimaging techniques and machine learning requires an integrated approach as well as close collaboration among the neuroengineering community, neuroscientists, and clinical practitioners. The goal of this workshop is to bring together researchers and practitioners across academia, industry, and the clinical profession to highlight innovative neurotechnology and brain research methods, emphasizing their potential to improve understanding of the brain and address a wide range of disorders to improve the human condition.
The Workshop program consists of three tracks covering emerging neurotechnologies, machine learning and computer paradigms for brain discovery, and clinical applications and impact. Each track includes a keynote speaker and invited speakers who will discuss their work in the context of larger issues in each of these topic areas. Other program highlights are panel sessions on the ethical implications of neurotechnology and the development of standards, clinical priorities and challenges, and future growth areas in these emerging fields. A call for poster presentations and live demonstrations will be posted soon.
Program Committee
General Chairs
Vesna Sossi, University of British Columbia, Canada
Ljiljana Trajkovic, Simon Fraser University, Canada
Local Chair
Martin McKeown, University of British Columbia, Canada
Program Chairs
Emerging Neurotechnologies:
Guy Dumont, University of British Columbia, Canada
Machine Learning and Computer Paradigms for Brain Discovery:
Jane Wang, University of British Columbia, Canada
Tiago Falk, INRS-EMT, Montréal, Canada
Clinical Applications and Impact:
Martin McKeown, University of British Columbia, Canada
Jose Contreras-Vidal, University of Houston, USA
Workshop Committee
Selin Aviyente, Chair, Michigan State University, USA
Ravi Hadimani, Virginia Commonwealth University
Rikky Muller, UC Berkeley, USA
Damien Coyle, University of Bath, UK
Gert Cauwenberghs, UC, San Diego, USA
Metin Akay, University of Houston
Vince Calhoun, TReNDS Center (Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory University), USA
Communications
Cynthia Weber, Program Manager, IEEE Brain
Thanks to Our Partners
We would like to thank the IEEE Member Societies and Associations for their support of IEEE Brain.
IEEE Brain Discovery and Neurotechnology Workshop Symposiums
Emerging Neurotechnologies
In recent years a range of new neurotechnology innovations have emerged to enable neuroimaging and neural recording and interfacing at multiple scales in variety of settings—in the lab, in the clinic, and in the wild—including low-cost wearable electroencephalography (EEG), ultra-high density EEG, stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG), advanced functional near infrared spectrography (fNIRS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), functional ultrasound imaging (fUS), optically pumped magnetometer magnetoencephalography (OPM-MEG), neural lace, neural dust, stent-electrode recording arrays (stentrodes) and endovascular recording techniques, multielectrode arrays, elecrtocorticographic (ECoG) arrays, multi-photon optics for high-throughput/high-resolution functional brain imaging, and optogenetics. This session aims to present examples of the latest scientific studies involving a selection of these approaches as well as discussion surrounding feasibility of development within the next 5-10 years and major opportunities and challenges in deploying these technologies.
Machine Learning and Computer Paradigms for Brain Discovery
Advances in noninvasive neuroimaging technology such as magnetic resonance imaging and magnetoencephalography have enabled the study of both the healthy and disordered human brain with increasing temporal and spatial resolution. Neuroimaging data poses some unique challenges such as low signal-to-noise ratio, small sample size, and high dimensionality. Recent methodological advances in machine learning have enabled the analysis of brain data across multiple scales and modalities. Current challenges and problems of interest include: neuromorphic systems engineering for brain-inspired natural intelligence; development of interpretable deep learning architectures for learning from neural data; network neuroscience for functional/structural connectivity network analysis, i.e., brain connectomics, across time and subjects; variability of brain networks across subjects; multimodal data fusion; classification and prediction of health status or specific outcomes through biomarker identification. This session aims to present examples of the latest research in machine learning and computer paradigms for brain discovery involving a selection of these approaches as well as discussion on challenges and opportunities, including the transition to clinical practice and applications such as preventive predictive actions.
Clinical Applications and Impact
The first demonstration of a technology for a clinical application with impact was deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease. Interestingly, it took less than 25 years for this technology to become established with more than 80,000 patients having received an implant by 2010. Technologies that restore, replace, or enhance human nervous system function are emerging fast but few are used in daily clinical practice or at home. In this symposium, we will be presenting some of the most promising technologies that have broad clinical application prospects and discuss their remaining important challenges. These include optogenetics-based therapies, where recent advances in optogenetic real-time monitoring and therapeutic interventions have opened up the possibility for providing a complementary treatment following brain injury; neuroprosthetics for the restoration of vision, hearing, or motor function; as well as neuromodulation devices such as brain-computer-interfaces, and more.
Speaker Information available June 2025
Workshop Speakers
Location
Simon Fraser University
Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue
580 W. Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Program Outline
Day 1: Friday, September 12, 8:30am – 7:00pm
| 8:30 | Welcome and Opening Remarks |
| 8:40 | Plenary Address |
| 9:15 – 12:15 | Symposium 1: Emerging Neurotechnologies |
| 9:15 | Keynote Speaker |
| 10:00 | Invited Speaker 1 |
| 10:20 | Invited Speaker 2 |
| 10:40 | Break |
| 11:00 | Invited Speaker 3 |
| 11:20 | Invited Speaker 4 |
| 11:40 | Symposium 1 Speakers Panel Discussion |
| 12:15 – 1:15 | Lunch (lunch provided) |
| 12:30 – 2:00 | Lunch Panel Session |
| 2:00 – 5:00 | Symposium 2: Machine Learning and Computer Paradigms for Brain Discovery |
| 2:00 | Keynote Speaker |
| 2:45 | Invited Speaker 1 |
| 3:05 | Invited Speaker 2 |
| 3:25 | Break |
| 3:45 | Invited Speaker 3 |
| 4:05 | Invited Speaker 4 |
| 4:25 | Symposium 2 Speakers Panel Discussion |
| 5:00 – 5:30 | Poster Session Introductions |
| 5:30 – 7:00 | Poster Session and Reception |
Day 2: Saturday, September 13, 8:30am – 6:00pm
| 8:30 | Welcome to Day 2 |
| 8:40 | Plenary Address |
| 9:15 – 12:15 | Symposium 3: Clinical Applications and Impact |
| 9:15 | Keynote Speaker |
| 10:00 | Invited Speaker 1 |
| 10:20 | Invited Speaker 2 |
| 10:40 | Break |
| 11:00 | Invited Speaker 3 |
| 11:20 | Invited Speaker 4 |
| 11:40 | Symposium 3 Speakers Panel Discussion |
| 12:15 – 12:45 | Live Demonstration / Poster Introductions |
| 12:45 – 1:45 | Lunch Break (lunch provided) |
| 12:45 – 2:30 | Live Demonstration / Poster Session |
| 2:30–3:00 | Students and Young Professionals Session |
| 3:00 – 4:30 | Panel Session |
| 4:30 – 5:30 | Break / Light Reception |
| 5:30 – 6:00 | Awards and Closing Remarks |
All times are Pacific Time.
We invite participants of the 2025 IEEE Brain Discovery and Neurotechnology Workshop to contribute interactive poster presentations and live demonstrations. Posters enable you to present your current research to experts and receive valuable feedback, while live demonstrations allow presentation of a device or concept in addition to the poster. These sessions encourage networking and discussion among peers and offer the possibility of forming new collaborations.
The Workshop will take place September 12-13, 2025 at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada. Poster presentations and live demonstrations will be scheduled on both days. At least one author of the accepted submission will be required to register for the Workshop and to present a one-minute introductory slide prior to their scheduled session. Posters and live demonstrations by students (undergraduate and graduate) and post-docs as first authors will be considered for the Best Poster and Best Demonstration Awards. Limited travel awards are also available to provide support for presenting students to attend the workshop.
Please use this FORM to submit your abstract.
Submissions are due Sunday, June 15, 2025.
Registration Opens June 2025
Groundbreaking solutions with the potential to improve quality of life and address neural disorders require an integrated approach among stakeholders. The goal of this workshop is to bring the engineering, clinical, and neuroscience communities together to focus on collaborative opportunities. Program highlights include plenary keynotes; symposiums on emerging neurotechnologies, machine learning and computer paradigms for brain discovery, clinical applications; panels; posters; live demonstrations; exhibits. Registration fees include the two-day workshop activities, breaks, lunch, and receptions.
Dates & Location
September 12-13, 2025
Simon Fraser University
Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue
580 W. Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Registration Fees (Canadian Dollars)
| Early Rates (through September 1) | |
| IEEE Member: $350 | IEEE Student: $75 |
| Non-Member: $400 | Non-Member Student: $100 |
| Regular Rates (September 2 – 13) | |
| IEEE Member: $375 | IEEE Student: $75 |
| Non-Member: $425 | Non-Member Student: $100 |
Sponsorship
IEEE Brain invites company and university exhibitors and sponsors to participate in the
workshop. More information on sponsorship and exhibits will be available soon.
