The University of Utah’s John and Marcia Price College of Engineering has announced the appointment of Dr. Jacob A. George as the new Solzbacher-Chen Endowed Professor in Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R). This prestigious appointment marks a significant step in advancing the university’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and innovation at the interface of neural engineering and biomedical technology.
An endowment is a permanent fund established to provide ongoing financial support for specific academic initiatives or positions. The Solzbacher-Chen Endowed Professorship is particularly prestigious as it not only honors Dr. George’s exceptional achievements but also underscores the lasting investment in the fields of neural engineering and rehabilitation, ensuring continuous growth and development for years to come.
Florian Solzbacher, the Gerald and Barbara Stringfellow Endowed Professor in the Department of ECE, and Xiaoxin Chen, CEO of the Utah-based biotech startup Sentiomed Inc., were instrumental in establishing this endowment. Both Solzbacher and Chen have made groundbreaking contributions to neural engineering, and their vision of using advanced technologies to restore lost function due to injury or disease forms the cornerstone of this new initiative.
Solzbacher’s pioneering work in developing the Utah Electrode Array, a brain-computer interface that is widely considered the gold standard for restoring lost brain function, alongside Chen’s advancements in biocompatible hydrogel-based technologies, has provided the foundation for this important collaboration. Chen’s work with Sentiomed, which includes the development of implantable biomarker sensors, intracranial pressure sensors, and devices for optogenetics research, adds a critical dimension to the university's ongoing efforts in brain-computer interface research and neural restoration technologies.
Dr. George’s appointment comes after years of dedication and achievement. Under Solzbacher’s leadership as Chair of ECE, Dr. George played a key role in establishing the first alliance between the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine. This groundbreaking collaboration has set the stage for Utah to become a global leader in neural engineering and brain-computer interface development.
The Solzbacher-Chen Endowed Professorship reflects a deep investment in Dr. George’s research and mentorship, which promises to inspire future generations of engineers, medical professionals, and researchers. In his thank-you speech, Dr. George shared, “I’m incredibly honored and humbled to be selected for this prestigious endowment. It’s a testament to the collaboration and support I’ve received from my mentors, colleagues, and students here at the University of Utah.”
His work is poised to make lasting impacts on the restoration of neural function and the improvement of quality of life for patients facing life-altering conditions. "I look forward to growing our neuroengineering program and continuing the incredible work we’re doing here in Utah," Dr. George added. "Together, we will advance the field, ensuring that the technologies we develop benefit patients and improve healthcare outcomes."
Through this appointment, Dr. George is expected to continue advancing the university’s standing in the fields of neural engineering, brain-computer interface technology, and rehabilitation medicine. Both Solzbacher and Chen emphasized their gratitude for the continued support of the Price College of Engineering and the University of Utah, with an eye toward a future where interdisciplinary collaboration leads to innovative solutions for the most pressing medical challenges.
This new chapter in Dr. George’s career not only elevates his personal achievements but also strengthens the University of Utah’s position as a world leader in neural engineering and rehabilitation research.
