Pioneering Neurotechnology: The Legacy of Dr. Naweed I. Syed
Dr. Naweed I. Syed, a
distinguished Pakistani neuroscientist, is renowned for his groundbreaking work
in neurotechnology. He is celebrated as the pioneer who successfully connected
brain cells to a silicon chip, resulting in the creation of the world’s first
neurochip. This innovative achievement marks a significant milestone in the
integration of biological and electronic systems.
Dr. Syed has made significant
contributions to the scientific community through his extensive travel and
lectures around the globe, where he discusses the intricacies of the human mind
and the advancements embodied in his mini-chip technology. He currently serves
as a professor at the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary,
where his research delves into the cellular and molecular mechanisms that
govern brain development and plasticity. His work focuses on understanding how
networks of brain cells form and adapt throughout an individual’s life,
providing the foundation for learning and memory. Additionally, he explores the
impact of anesthetic agents on brain cell communication and their potential
cytotoxic effects.
Dr. Syed’s career has been marked
by significant leadership roles. He served as the Department Head of Anatomy
and Cell Biology, Research Director at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, and
Postdoctoral Program Director in the Office of the Vice President (Research)
from 2012 to 2016. His involvement in these roles extended to chairing nearly
all senior committees at the university and acting as Special Advisor to the
Vice President of Research.
After two decades of meticulous
design, experimentation, and refinement, Dr. Syed’s two-way brain-chip is
nearing readiness for human trials. Initially, this bionic chip is anticipated
to offer new treatment options for epilepsy patients, particularly those
unresponsive to conventional medications.
Dr. Syed’s prolific research has
been published in over 130 highly cited papers across esteemed journals such as
*Nature*, *Science*, and *Neuron*. His contributions extend beyond research
publications to include numerous inventions and innovations in the field. His
excellence has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the
Outstanding Scientist Award from the Asian Community in Toronto (2004), the
Canadian Sensation Award from the South Asian Media Express Network (2012), and
the Distinguished Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Biomedical
Research by the Pakistan-Canada Association (2012). He also received the
Outstanding Collaboration Award from the Schulich School of Engineering (2012)
and the Canadians for Global Care Award of Recognition (2015).
In addition to these accolades,
Dr. Syed has been honored both domestically and internationally for his
substantial contributions to neuroscience. Notably, he was awarded the
Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) by the government of Pakistan and the
Canada-150 Medal by the Canadian Senate in 2017, recognizing his exceptional
impact on the field.
Source:
Naweed I. Syed . University of Calgary. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
Pride
of Pakistan, Naweed I Syed. Daily Times (Pakistan). August 6, 2019.