Principal Investigator

Daniel L. Gonzales, PhD

(he/him)

Assistant Professor

Department of Biomedical Engineering

Vanderbilt Brain Institute

PhD, Applied Physics, Rice University

BS, Physics, Angelo State University

Fun facts:

  • I’m probably more well-known for BBQ and tweets than science

  • I once told a friend about the “really smart dude” I talked to at a poster session. Turns out that smart dude was a Nobel laureate

Bio

Graduate Students

Grace Adams

(she/her)

PhD Student, Department of Biomedical Engineering

BS, Biomedical Engineering, Bucknell University (2023)

Project: I'm interested in developing brain computer interfaces to study the neural circuits underlying their control and inform the design of neuroprosthetic devices

Fun facts:

  • My favorite winter activity is nordic skiing

  • I climbed the tallest mountain in Ireland (and it wasn't even that tall)

LinkedIn
LinkedIn

Hailey Edelman

(she/her)

PhD Student, Department of Biomedical Engineering

BS Intensive, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University (2024)

Project: I am interested in investigating how neural circuits from different brain regions contribute to the learning process of brain-computer interface controlling cells.

Fun facts:

  • I almost starred in the 2016 Ghostbusters movie

  • I had to be rescued by ski patrol while snowboarding in Utah due to an avalanche

LinkedIn
LinkedIn

Lauren Iskander

(She/her)

PhD Student & NSF GRFP Fellow, Department of Biomedical Engineering

BS, Chemical Engineering, Villanova University (2025)

Project: I'm interested in developing chronic brain-computer interfaces that may one day help restore cognitive and motor function in patients with neurodegenerative disorders.

Fun facts:

  • I climbed a pyramid in Egypt

  • I rushed broad street in Philly when the Eagles won the super bowl (I don't watch football)

  • I love hammocking

LinkedIn
LinkedIn

Thaissa Peixoto

(She/her)

PhD Student & NSF GRFP Fellow, Department of Biomedical Engineering

BS Electrical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University (2025)

Project: I'm interested in developing brain computer interfaces to use in tandem with stimulation to better understand the mechanisms behind achieving neural control

Fun facts:

  • I love tomatoes

  • I was in the circus once when I was younger

Daniel Woods

(He/him)

PhD Student, Department of Biomedical Engineering

BS, Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee Knoxville (2022)

MS, Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee Knoxville (2023)

Project: I’m developing transparent, flexible electrodes for chronic recordings and optogenetic stimulation in non-human primates

Fun facts:

  • Aspiring stained glass artist

  • I always enjoy a good run, walk, or skip

Website
Website

Research Technicians

Maxwell Sharp

(he/him)

Undergraduate Researcher

BS, Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 2025

Project: I'm designing a low-cost beveler device to sharpen the tips of glass micropipettes used for surgical probe insertion.

Fun facts:

  • I auditioned for Kidz Bop when I was 6

Undergraduate Students

Micaela Gonzalez Mora

(she/her)

Undergraduate Researcher

BE, Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 2027 (expected)

Project: I am developing the necessary packaging for our neural interfaces to be chronically implanted and housed for long-term recordings.

Fun facts:

  • I love the beach even but unfortunately I was born and raised in a landlocked country

  • I enjoy any outdoor sport, especially hiking and biking

Pat Phisitkul

(he/him)

SyBBURE Searle Undergraduate Researcher

BE, Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University (2027, expected)

Project: I'm currently working on a custom intrinsic imaging system to provide more precise landmarks for neural electrode placement during neurosurgical procedures.

Fun facts:

  • I love riding and tinkering with bicycles, and would consider myself an amateur bike mechanic

  • I once crushed a watermelon between my thighs in front of a live audience—turns out leg day pays off

This could be you!

We’re hiring PhD students and postdocs with starts dates in 2024 and beyond. Find more details on the Opportunities page.

Project: I am Groot. I am Groot. I am Groot.

Fun facts:

  • I am Groot

Alumni

(Year in Lab) - (Name) - (Role in Lab). (New adventure).

2024-2026 - Jenna Jang. Georgia Tech BME PhD Program

Summer 2025 - Taylor Donen - VUSE Summer Student. Continuing studies at Rose Hulman.

2024-2025 - Camila Romero - Research Technician + NSF GRFP Awardee. University of Pennsylvania Psychology PhD Program.

2024 - Runda Li - Undergraduate Researcher. Transferred to Duke University to complete B.S. degree.