Edgar Peña received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and biomedical engineering in 2013 from the University of California, Irvine. In 2017, he earned his PhD in biomedical engineering from the University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities, where, as a postdoctoral associate, he developed mathematical optimization solutions for deep brain stimulation in computational models. Since 2018, he has been a postdoctoral associate in biomedical engineering at Duke University, where he has performed acute in vivo rat experiments to optimize high frequency nerve block methods and developed computational models in peripheral nerve stimulation and recording. Peña’s goal is to introduce the next generation of electroceuticals by integrating electrical engineering, computer science, and neuroscience concepts to control the nervous system for the treatment of disease. To improve diversity and inclusion in engineering, he has served the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) since 2009, speaking at and organizing local and national events. His efforts resulted in successful recruitment of graduate students from underrepresented groups. His teaching vision encompasses both technical and seldom-taught professional skills such as literature review, project management, scientific rigor, and oral and written communication. As a future professor, he will focus on student success through in-class monitoring, computational modeling projects, and research guidance.

Research Interests

Neuroengineering