Using brain-machine interfaces and primates models to uncover how the brain learns new movements and to inform new approaches for rehabilitation.
Canada Research Chair in Non Human Primate Models of Health and DiseaseUnderstanding movement at its source
Motor learning allows us to perform everyday actions such as walking, reaching, or playing an instrument, and it is essential for regaining movement after illness or injury. As the Canada Research Chair in Non Human Primate Models of Health and Disease, Dr. Emily Oby studies the neural activity that supports motor control and motor learning. Her work focuses on understanding how populations of neurons generate precise movements and how these patterns change over time.
Dr. Oby's research integrates neurophysiology, neural engineering, and machine learning to provide a detailed view of how learning occurs within the brain. By using brain machine interfaces, her team can record data from neurons that directly influence behaviour and observe how neural activity evolves during the acquisition of new motor skills. This approach also allows her to examine how neural circuits reorganize after stroke or spinal cord injury, with the goal of identifying strategies to accelerate recovery.
Through this work, Dr. Oby aims to advance both basic neuroscience and clinical rehabilitation. Her research has the potential to guide the development of new therapeutic protocols that improve motor function and support recovery for people living with neurological impairment.