Miguel Nicolelis

Brazilian scientist Miguel Nicolelis is a speaker known for his work in the field of neuroscience. Nicolelis was behind an experiment that focused on using a monkey's brain power to move a prosthetic limb. Nicolelis' hope is that this technology will someday be used to assist quadriplegic and paralyzed individuals to move again, using robotic limbs and brain commands.

Miguel's research takes place at the Nicolelis Laboratory at Duke University, where he is also examining Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. Nicolelis is one of the founders of the Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute for Neuroscience of Natal, which is a facility in Brazil, devoted to brain research. In 2010, Nicolelis received the NIH Director's Pioneer Award.