Improving lives through neurotechnology

Dr Amit Pujari is the focus of this 25^th anniversary impact profile, a series that is part of our ‘25 and up: the Academy for the next generation’ programme to celebrate emerging research leaders.

Amit is a Biomedical Engineer and Neuroscientist at the University of Hertfordshire and is an Academy GCRF Networking Grant awardee. Here, he tells us about his journey into biomedical engineering, how he empowers people in recovery from stroke or spinal cord injury, and the impact of the Academy on his career.

From engineering to neuroscience

I was the first in my family back home in India to go to university. After graduating from my engineering degree, I worked in industry on medical imaging for two years. I learnt about the biomedical side of engineering on the job – a steep, but fascinating, learning curve. This led me to pursue a MSc and PhD in biomedical engineering, which I wanted to do in the UK. This was easier said than done, with the expensive and time-consuming visa process proving incredibly challenging to navigate. Without tactical and moral support from my academic supervisors, I would not have made the UK my home.

I currently work as an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering specialising in neurorehabilitation, developing neurotechnology devices – technologies that can influence the brain and nervous system – to rehabilitate nerve and muscle damage in patients with conditions such as stroke, spinal injury, cerebral palsy and Parkinson’s.

My team’s work: life-changing medical devices

Many of the conditions I deal with are more prevalent in older age. As the world's population ages, the need for effective ways to minimise the impact of aging-related diseases becomes more urgent. This pressing societal need fuels me to develop innovative devices that can enhance the quality of life for countless people, while providing much needed relief to healthcare systems. I love the idea that I can use my engineering skillset of building and developing equipment to improve lives.

My team is working on several exciting pieces of technology for neurorehabilitation. One of these is a portable touchpad that brings back sense of touch, such as handholding, to those who have lost sensation following a stroke. It works by sending tiny vibrations to the user’s fingertips, causing nerve cells in the affected areas of the limbs to fire an adapted signal to the brain. We are still honing the technology, but it has shown great promise in our clinical trials, and we hope it will be available in clinic in the future. Many of the patients from our trials are amazed that something so seemingly tiny – the vibrations – can bring back a part of their life that is so meaningful to them.

Another project I’m leading is the development of a piece of wearable tech to reduce severe muscle stiffness, allowing arms, legs or fingers which are locked in one rigid position to relax and move. Severe muscle stiffness is a disabling condition common in people following a stroke, spinal injury and cerebral palsy. It makes everyday tasks like feeding or dressing yourself difficult or often impossible. The device we’re developing is a non-invasive cuff which can be worn around the arm or leg to deliver small mechanical stimulations to minimise muscle stiffness, reducing pain and improving movement in the affected limb.

Collaboration: the key to progress

One of the things I love most about my work is the breadth of experts I work with. This includes patients, engineers, neuroscientists and clinical scientists across healthcare and industry settings. Working with patients and clinicians helps me to get to the root of the problems they need help addressing, while also showing me if the devices I am working on are useful and effective. Collaborations with industry are essential when it comes to getting a new technology into the real world.

Working at the confluence of a diverse mix of specialists forms an exciting, creative space where ideas can flourish, but initiatives to foster these are sadly not commonplace. I wish that more institutions followed the Academy’s lead in flying the flag for cross-pollination and collaboration across sectors. Their FORUM and Cross-Sector programmes are prime examples of networking, connection, and collaboration.

Global impact

A key part of my success so far comes from international partnerships. In 2021, I was thrilled to receive an Academy Global Challenges Research Fund Networking Grant with Dr Yumna Albertus of the University of Cape Town. We are looking at new ways to provide rehabilitation to patients with spinal cord injuries by focusing on patients in South Africa, a country which has one of the highest proportions of people with spinal cord injuries globally.

A main focus of my research is developing inexpensive medical innovations that can make a substantial difference in addressing health inequalities. We are working with partners in India, Pakistan and across Africa with the goal of getting all of our devices to those most in need, focusing on affordability and suitability to different demographics. I feel propelled to make a difference in India not only because it is my birthplace, but because it is the world’s most populus country and therefore has a huge number of people in need of rehabilitation for stroke and other neurological conditions.

A vision for the future

The Academy has done much more for me than supporting my research via grant funding. It has also provided me with a fantastic mentor who instils confidence in my ability, and a network of researchers with which to share ideas. Last year I was pleased to be invited to speak at an Academy career development event on the topic of ‘Communicating and connecting beyond your sector’ where I enjoyed sharing learnings and making new connections.

My hope is for the UK to become a hub for neurotechnology research and innovation, and a nurturing place for researchers to thrive. I believe this is possible, but only with continued backing for innovative, high-quality research and better networks for cross-sector collaborations. We need to work together to pave the way for groundbreaking medical results and a healthier, more inclusive world.

Dr Amit Pujari is GCRF Networking Grant awardee, PILLAR user, mentee on the Academy’s mentoring programme and member of the UK Young Academy.  

Read more of our ‘25 and up’ profiles:

• ‘The matchmaker behind scientific breakthroughs’ meet Dr Julia Wilson.
• ‘Taking a lead in women’s health’ meet Dr Jackie Maybin.