Project Title: Targeted Neuroplasticity via Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Improve Urinary Dysfunction After Spinal Cord Injury
Position: Research Scientist
Institution: University of Texas at Dallas
Funding NIH Institute/Center: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Project ID: K99NS135194
Ana Hernandez-Reynoso, PhD, was born in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico. From a young age, she was fascinated by health sciences and medicine, but at age 15, her cousin introduced her to engineering. She decided to pursue both areas, earning a BEng in biomedical engineering and then an MS in computer science. She attended Georgia Institute of Technology as an exchange student and discovered her passion for neural engineering. She later earned a PhD in biomedical engineering from the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), developing a wireless neural interface for peripheral nerve stimulation. Dr. Hernandez-Reynoso is determined to become an independent researcher and leader in the field, developing translational neural interfaces for novel therapeutic applications. She is currently a postdoctoral research scientist at UT Dallas, where her research focuses on the use of vagus nerve stimulation paired with bladder function to drive neuroplasticity changes and improve the symptoms of urinary dysfunction after spinal cord injury, a condition that often ranks as one of the highest priorities of affected individuals. Dr. Hernandez-Reynoso led the formation of the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee within the postdoctoral association at UT Dallas and is consistently involved in outreach opportunities to introduce young students to the neural engineering field. Finally, she is committed to being an advocate against inequality and has actively searched for opportunities to empower minority students to pursue career opportunities within the biomedical engineering and sciences field.