UC Davis Neuroscientist Wins Prestigious Gruber International Research Award for Brain-Computer Interface Work

Dr Maitreyee Wairagkar, a UC Davis neuroscientist and neuroengineer, who hails from Pune and is based in the United States, has been awarded the esteemed Peter and Patricia Gruber International Research Award in Neuroscience for her pioneering work in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. The award, presented by the Gruber Foundation, recognises Dr Wairagkar’s current and past work on neuroprostheses aimed at restoring lost speech and movement in individuals with neurological injury. The award, accompanied by a $25,000 prize, was announced during the Society for Neuroscience’s annual meeting in San Diego recently. When contacted via email, Dr Wairagkar who has studied at Fergusson College, said she was honoured to receive the Gruber International Research Award. “This recognition is not only a personal milestone, but also a reflection of the support I have received from mentors and colleagues and, above all, of the collaborative spirit and shared passion to help improve the quality of life for people affected by neurological injury.