Otitodilichukwu Chukwuka

Otitodilichukwu Chukwuka

Biography

Otito Chukwuka is a rising senior studying Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Southern Mississippi. Driven by a passion for human-centered innovation, he aims to build technologies that respond to real human needs. At USM, he researches polymer morphology for organic photovoltaics in Dr. Xiaodan Gu’s lab, developing skills in materials characterization techniques such as Atomic Force Microscopy. He further expanded his experience in organic electronics at MIT, investigating side-chain engineering in organic electrochemical transistors for biosensing, and this summer continues there as an intern in Dr. Polina Anikeeva’s BioelectronicsGroup, fabricating polymer-based optical fibers for brain imaging and stimulation. Outside the lab, Otito leads “TitoCre8ts,” a creative platform where he interviews people on the streets ofAmerican cities to better understand human desires and lived experiences. He aspires to work at the intersection of technology, empathy, and design—creating solutions that are not only innovative but also deeply meaningful.

Abstract

Multimodal Polymer Fiber-Based Neural Interface for Optical Imaging and Electrical Stimulation in Vivo

Optical imaging in the brain captures electrical and chemical signaling events between neurons, visual indicators of brain activity, which underlie key cognitive functions such as learning and memory. Gaining real-time access to these signal transmission processes in active, behaving organisms, offers a powerful avenue for understanding brain function and developing therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders, especially when paired with techniques to modulate neural activity. This necessitates the creation of devices capable of both optical recording of cell specific activity and electrical stimulation of specific neurons within biological environments. To function effectively in vivo, such devices must be biocompatible, flexible, thin and comfortable to minimize immune responses, accommodate movement and reach specific target locations in the brain. This research focuses on the design, fabrication and in-vivo implantation of a novel polymer-based optical fiber bundle device that integrates optical imaging with electrical capabilities for enhanced neural interfacing in freely behaving organisms. This work will characterize the device’s optical and mechanical properties and evaluate its performance in vivo, with the ultimate goal of enabling minimally invasive, multimodal neural interrogation.