In 2022, we were proud to extend our Bionics Challenge to deliver much-needed support to Queensland’s brilliant young minds in neuroscience.
Two outstanding contestants, a young neuroscientist at the Queensland Brain Institute and a Griffith University student (on his way to a career as a maxillofacial surgeon) have each been awarded $10,000 cash, courtesy of The Clem Jones Foundation, to accelerate their work.
This contest was open to doctoral candidates, early career researchers and startup teams (18-35 years old) developing or improving on brain-computer interface (BCI) devices, neural or head implants and/or neurobionic treatments.
The young neuroscientists and clinical innovators who entered this competition are the ‘faces of the future’, changing the lives of those impacted by dementia or age-related diseases, brain, head and spinal injuries, neurodegenerative diseases and chronic health conditions.
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The winners of the 2022 Bionics Gamechangers-Clem Jones Bionic Innovation Award for Young Aspiring Neuroscientists:
Montana Samantzis
A talented young neuroscientist in the Balbi Lab at the Queensland Brain Institute, Montana is developing an individualised non-invasive brain stimulation treatment for stroke recovery.
Montana’s proposed brain stimulation device combines brain imaging and stimulation techniques with a personalised closed-loop algorithm to deliver individualised treatment protocols for stroke recovery. The $10,000 Bionics Gamechangers-Clem Jones Bionics Innovation Award has been of immediate benefit in accelerating her work which is set to change the life of millions of people needing more effective rehabilitation to overcome the debilitating effects of stroke.
Alongside her advancement of neuromodulation techniques, Montana is focused on brain imaging analysis, thematic analysis of qualitative data, cognitive and behavioural neuroscience. She is also a popular university tutor and mentor to her students and peers.
Yohaann Ghosh
A Griffith University student and early career clinician (working towards a surgical career), Yohaann Ghosh is designing a world-first BCI bionic jaw.
The bionic jaw will rely on electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) signals to activate jaw movement. Johaann is using his $10,000 Bionics Gamechangers-Clem Jones Bionics Innovation Award to refine the design and functionality of his innovation.
The BCI device which includes embedded electromagnets will detect and amplify the remaining neuron signals after road accident/injury or the removal of diseased tissue and bone. This innovation is a vital adjunct to Yohaann’s novel and incredibly exciting bionic jaw design.
While still in the early stages of his career, Yohaann is already a budding entrepreneur and educator who is well known for establishing Biotech Futures which has become a highly successful STEM outreach program, and Grade Gurus (a tutoring partnership).
