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Sheila Nirenberg at TEDMED 2011 – Q and A

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The neuroscientist talks about developing a revolutionary non-surgical artificial retina that translates the eye’s neural “code.”

About Sheila Nirenberg

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Dr. Sheila Nirenberg is a leading neuroscientist and inventor, known for her groundbreaking work on the neural code of the retina. She is a professor at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, where her research focuses on how the brain processes visual information. Her work is both scientific and practical, as she uses her discoveries to create real-world solutions. Sheila is the founder of two companies that turn her lab’s research into new technologies. Bionic Sight LLC is a company that creates innovative visual prostheses to help restore sight for people who are blind. These devices work by using a special code to send signals to the brain, effectively “cracking” the visual code to help the brain understand what it is seeing. Her second company, Nirenberg Neuroscience LLC, applies her understanding of how the brain works to develop new types of smart robots. For her innovative and important research, Sheila has received numerous awards, including a prestigious MacArthur “Genius” Award. Her work has been featured in major media outlets and documentaries, and has been recognized for its potential to help millions of people. She continues to be a leader in the field of neuroscience, working to solve complex problems and improve lives.
 

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