Congratulations to Dr. Brett Youngerman on NIH UG3–UH3 Award

We are proud to congratulate Dr. Brett Youngerman, neurosurgeon-scientist at Columbia Neurosurgery, on receiving a prestigious NIH UG3–UH3 grant award to advance the development of NeuroFlex, a groundbreaking neural interface system for epilepsy monitoring.

Intracranial electrocorticography (ECoG) is a critical tool in evaluating drug-resistant epilepsy, but current technologies face significant limitations—including low electrode density, wired connections, and considerable patient discomfort. Dr. Youngerman’s project seeks to translate modular, fully implantable wireless electrode arrays for human use, supporting up to 1,024 recording and stimulating electrodes per implant.

By combining wireless powering, high-throughput data telemetry, and customizable flexible arrays, NeuroFlex has the potential to elevate seizure care. The system is designed to improve recording resolution, reduce tissue reactivity, and enable safe, long-term ambulatory monitoring—untethering patients from the hospital while enhancing seizure detection and brain mapping.

This ambitious multi-disciplinary project is being led in collaboration with MPI Dr. Catherine Schevon, MD, PhD (Epilepsy Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center) and MPI Dr. Ken Shepard, PhD (Electrical Engineering, Columbia University). Together, the team brings deep expertise across neurosurgery, neurology, and engineering to advance next-generation neural interface technology.

Through phased preclinical and clinical studies, this work will lay the foundation for larger trials and could transform how we evaluate and treat patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Congratulations to Dr. Youngerman, Dr. Schevon, and Dr. Shepard on this remarkable milestone for Columbia Neurosurgery, Columbia Engineering, and the field of neural interface technology!