Integrating the human nervous system with machines once only existed in science fiction. Today, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are being explored to treat conditions like Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, epilepsy, and depression.

Georgia Tech recently convened over 200 stakeholders from every corner of the neurotechnology landscape to explore the future of this rapidly evolving field at InterfaceNeuro. Held May 7-8, the conference brought together a dynamic community of neuroscientists, neuroengineers, clinicians, industry leaders, and individuals with lived experiences to align cutting-edge research with clinical needs and societal impact.

“One of our primary goals was to create a space where people from different backgrounds could come together, share their perspectives, and learn from one another,” said Chris Rozell, professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and one of the conference’s organizers. “That kind of exchange is essential for advancing the field.”

Originally founded by Rice University’s Neuroengineering Initiative in 2023, InterfaceNeuro made its Atlanta debut with the theme “Integrating Brain, Body, and Machine for Next-Gen Intelligent Interfaces.” The conference featured a curated program of keynote talks, panel discussions, research posters, and informal networking sessions designed to foster knowledge exchange and catalyze new partnerships.

Speakers and attendees alike represented the full spectrum of neuroscience and neurotechnology experts, from bench scientists and device engineers to caregivers and patients. According to conference attendee Simone Russo, it was that breadth and diversity of the conference that made the conference worthwhile. 

“It was like talking to everybody at different levels, bridging the clinical side to the caregiving side, to the very basic research,” said Russo, a postdoctoral researcher in the Walter H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME). “That’s something that doesn't usually happen.”

Themed sessions were sponsored by several centers across Georgia Tech and Emory University, including the McCamish Parkinson’s Disease Innovation Program, the Neural Engineering Center, the Building Reliable Advances and Innovations in Neurotechnology (BRAIN) Center, and the Center for Advanced Motor Bioengineering and Research. Organized by Georgia Tech’s Neuro Next Initiative, the meeting was a testament to Atlanta’s expanding leadership in neuroscience and neurotechnology.

“This conference reflected the kind of community we’re building at Georgia Tech — one that’s deeply interdisciplinary, inclusive, and focused on real-world impact,” said Garrett Stanley, BME professor, director of the McCamish Parkinson's Disease Innovation Program, and one of the conference’s co-organizers. “With the launch of the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society this July, we’re creating a lasting home for this momentum to grow.”