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This student organization builds neurotechnology devices

Group photo of the Triton Neurotech organization.

By Kiran Kumar 

April 18, 2023-- A neural prosthetic that allows individuals to control an external prosthetic limb using electrical signals. An application that notifies a user when they have stopped paying attention to a task. An EEG headset that allows users to recognize a song just by its melody, without needing to look it up on a smartphone.  

These are three projects that Â鶹´«Ã½ students will present at an event that will bring together teams for five University of California campuses April 29 at UCLA. The neuro-tech conference  is organized by student organizations at Â鶹´«Ã½, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz and UC Davis.

The event will feature academic speakers, a competition between several schools, and project presentations. Triton NeuroTech will be presenting three projects at the . The Â鶹´«Ã½ team is hoping to make this upcoming symposium an annual event where student members can continue to showcase their efforts and skills.

Triton NeuroTech is an organization for students from varying academic backgrounds who are interested in neurotechnology.  The students can develop projects in multidisciplinary teams and compete in national and international level competitions. The organization is led by third-year undergraduate students Joelle Faybishenko and Cassia Rizq.

Faybishenko, a computer science major with a specialization in bioinformatics and a minor in cognitive science, became interested in neurotech and computational neuroscience before she even began her freshman year at Â鶹´«Ã½. While researching the university, she discovered Triton NeuroTech and attended a meeting, eventually becoming involved in an EEG speller project. Rizq, a third-year electrical engineering and biology major, discovered Triton NeuroTech after taking ECE 5 during her freshman year, where she was introduced to the club by her professor, Vikash Gilga, who also serves as the organization's advisor. 

The EEG speller project she was involved with won first place in a national competition and placed second in an international contest. The speller project aimed to assist those with ALS, a neural disease which incapacitates motor ability. The Oz-Speller provides a mode of communication for ALS patients with locked-in syndrome, specifically those who cannot use eye-tracking devices.

With its focus on creating a welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds and interests, Triton NeuroTech provides a unique opportunity for students to explore neurotechnology while gaining valuable experience and skills relevant to the field. Alumni go on to master’s and Phd programs, as well as industry jobs. 

“One of the unique parts about Triton NeuroTech is that anyone can join,” says Faybishenko.

Students at work on a device.

Media Contacts

Ioana Patringenaru
Jacobs School of Engineering
858-822-0899
ipatrin@ucsd.edu