University of Washington-Seattle Campus · EngineeringThe NeuroRehab Lab
Azadeh Yazdan Shahmorad · Seattle, Washington
Research Focus
Dr. Azadeh Yazdan Shahmorad's lab focuses on harnessing the brain's natural ability to change and reorganize itself, known as neuroplasticity. Through advanced engineering tools and techniques, the lab investigates how targeted stimulation of the sensory and motor areas of the brain can aid recovery after injuries, like strokes. Their work explores how precise control of brain activity can strengthen connections between neurons, promoting healing and rehabilitation.
neuroplasticityoptogeneticselectrophysiologycortical stimulationrehabilitation therapysensorimotor systembrain recoverybehavior measurementmacaque modelsneural circuits
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the effectiveness of activity-dependent optogenetic stimulation to strengthen existing neural connections.
AIM 02Evaluate how targeted stimulation can induce new neural connections after an ischemic lesion.
AIM 03Understand the behavioral outcomes of targeted cortical reorganization through stimulation.
AIM 04Utilize electrophysiological techniques to record changes in neural activity during stimulation.
AIM 05Develop and refine engineering tools for enhanced precision in neural activity manipulation.
Skills the Lab Values
optogeneticselectrophysiologybehavior measurementneural circuitry mappingin vivo imaging techniquesstimulus-response analysisdata acquisition and analysisexperimental design in animal modelsclosed-loop stimulation systemsrehabilitation interventions
Output against the department
Publications79bottom 15% of dept.236th of 278
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations1.0kbottom 8% of dept.256th of 278
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.