Enrique Germany Morrison

Enrique Germany Morrison

Biomedical Engineer | Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering

Personal Information

Name: Enrique Ignacio

Surname: Germany Morrison

Nationality: Chilean

Email: egermanym@gmail.com, enrique.germany@uclouvain.be, egermany@udec.cl

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Profile

Highly motivated Biomedical Engineer with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and ten years of experience in physiological data acquisition, signal processing, data analysis, and electrical stimulation. Experienced in hardware and software design and programming with expertise in C, C++, Python, MATLAB, Java, and more. Knowledgeable in machine learning, pattern recognition, and self-learning algorithms.

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Short Bio

Dr. Germany is an accomplished biomedical and electrical engineer, whose academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from the Universidad de Concepción, Chile, in 2014, followed by a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the same university in 2015, and culminating in a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 2020. His research interests are broadly centred around biomedical and physiological signal acquisition systems and signal processing, with a specific focus on rehabilitation, prosthetics, and soft robotics for upper limb amputations.

With extensive experience in both hardware and software development, Dr. Germany is currently a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Université Catholique de Louvain in Brussels, Belgium. Since 2022, he has been actively involved in cutting-edge epilepsy research, specializing in seizure EEG analyses and Vagus nerve neurostimulation. His work is contributing significantly to advancements in the field, aiming to enhance the quality of life for individuals affected by neurological conditions.

Education

  • Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, Universidad de Concepción, Chile (May 2020)
  • M.Sc. Electrical Engineering, Universidad de Concepción, Chile (August 2015)
  • B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de Concepción, Chile (March 2014, Graduated with Honors)

Experience

  • [2022-Present] Postdoctoral Position at UCLouvain, Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS), Epilepsy & Neurostmulation Lab. Promotor: Pr. Riëm El Tahry. Co-promotor: Antoine Nonclercq. Involved Research 1)Characterization of Vagus Nerve Electroneurogram for Seizure detection in rat model. 2)Electrophysiological analyses of EEG functional connectivity for VNS therapy optimization and early response and efficacy prediction. Bursary in international mobility criteria from 01/10/2022 until 30/9/2025.
  • [2020-2022] Postdoctoral Position at Universidad de Concepción on FONDEF ID20I10297 Research Project “Technological System for assessment and evaluation of ergonomic risks associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)”. Task involved System conceptualization and design. Electronics design and manufacturing. Data acquisition and analysis.
  • [2021-2022] Circuit Design and firmware development of electrical stimulator on project ANID COVID0925. International collaboration with Oxford University, UK.
  • [2019-2022] Electronics Design and development leading engineer on Center for Industry 4.0 (C4i), Universidad de Concepción. Research center to expand local capabilities on advanced manufacturing techniques involving additive manufacturing and electronic Ciber-Physical systems.
  • [2019-2022] Biomedical Engineer at company “Neurotech spa”. Electronic circuit design, PCB layout manufacturing and firmware programming of SmartFES 2.0 drop-foot functional electrical stimulator. Task includes battery saving for extending operational time, Bluetooth Low Energy communication capabilities, robust trigger sensibility, pulse modulation for enhanced stimulation.
  • [2017-2018] Leading Biomedical Engineer (M.Sc) on “Smartgrip 17PRAE-76038” Corfo project. Development of smart exchangeable manipulators/grippers for myoelectric hand prostheses
  • [2016-2022] Part-Time lecturer “Electronics Embedded Systems Laboratory” at Universidad de Concepción. Course for Biomedical Engineering undergraduate students. Conceptualization, Design, Implementation and firmware programming for embedded systems.
  • [2016-2017] Leading Biomedical Engineer (M.Sc) on “FONDEF VIU 2015 – Myoelectric controlled robotic manipulator for prosthetic device”. Research and development of upper limb hand prostheses controlled by forearm electromyography (EMG) signals and closed loop touch feedback using electrical stimulation.
  • [2013-2015] Hardware and Software development engineer on “SIEL - FONDEF IDEA CA12I10372”. Development of computer aided software to enhance learning capabilities on babies. Usage of touch, interactive videos and 3D depth cameras to track babies response, engagement and interactions for reinforcement learning approaches. Validation of data using EEG data.

Skills

  • FELASA B Certificate - November 2022: use of animals for scientific purposes in compliance with the regulations declared in Directive 2010/63/EU and the Belgian Royal Decree of 29 May 2013.
  • Advanced Computer and Programming skills. Programming Languages include C, C++, C#, Python, MATLAB, Verilog HDL, Java, and Arduino. Knowledge and Experience in mobile APPs Programming: Android (Java) & iOS (Swift). Web front-end and back-end, HTML, PHP, JS, XML and CSS.
  • Electronics Circuit Design and Simulation: Eagle, Autodesk Fusion 360, Multisim.
  • Electronics manufacturing techniques knowledge.
  • Software and Hardware design for embedded systems with analog and digital signals acquisition and processing capabilities.
  • Spoken and Written English: Level B2 according to CEFR.
  • German Language Courses: A.1.1, A.1.2, A.2.1 at Goethe Institut, Concepción, Chile.
  • Anatomy knowledge, Biopotentials and physiological signals acquisition and processing experience.

Publications

  • 2024
    • "Proof-of-Concept of Respiration-Triggered Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Treat Epilepsy" In2024 IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications (MeMeA), 2024 Jun 26-28.
    • "Electroencephalogram synchronization measure as a predictive biomarker of Vagus nerve stimulation response in refractory epilepsy: A retrospective study." PLOS ONE, 2024 Jun 11;19(6), https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0304115.
    • “Locus coeruleus features are linked to vagus nerve stimulation response in drug-resistant epilepsy”, Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2024 Feb 13;18:1296161, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2024.1296161.
    • “Characterization of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Dose-Dependent Effects on EEG Power Spectrum and Synchronization”, Biomedicines, 2024 Mar 1;12(3):557, https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12030557.
  • 2023
    • “Individual Acute Central EEG-Based Metrics Could Guide a Personalized VNS Titration Process”, In2023 Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES), 2023 Dic 01-05, Orlando, USA, https://cms.aesnet.org/abstractslisting/individual-acute-central-eeg-based-metrics-could-guide-a-personalized-vns-titration-process.
    • “Vagus Nerve Electroneurogram (VENG)-Based Detection of Acute Kainic Acid Induced Seizures”, In2023 Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES), 2023 Dic 01-05, Orlando, USA, https://aesnet.org/abstractslisting/vagus-nerve-electroneurogram-veng-based-detection-of-acute-kainic-acid-induced-seizures.
    • “Vagus Nerve ElectroNeurogram in Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS)”, In2023 Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES), 2023 Dic 01-05, Orlando, USA, https://aesnet.org/abstractslisting/vagus-nerve-electroneurogram-in-genetic-absence-epilepsy-rats-from-strasbourg-gaers.
    • “Characterization of Vagus Nerve Activity as a Biomarker for Closed-loop Therapy in Epilepsy”, In2023 Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the IEEE-EMBS Benelux Chapter, Brussels, Belgium, 2023 Nov 16.
    • “Synchronized P300 Event-Related Potentials with Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Predicting Responses in Epilepsy”, In2023 Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the IEEE-EMBS Benelux Chapter, Brussels, Belgium, 2023 Nov 16.
    • “Exploring Graph-derived Metrics from Functional Brain Connectivity Analyses from PDC and DTF Connectomes as VNS Outcome Predictors”, In2023 Proceedings of the International League Against Epilepsy 35th International Epilepsy Congress (ILAE IEC), 2023 Sep 02-06, Dublin, Ireland, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/epi.17787.
    • “EEG Synchronization Measures as a Predictive Biomarker of VNS Response in Drug-resistant Epilepsy: a Retrospective Study”, In2023 Proceedings of the International League Against Epilepsy 35th International Epilepsy Congress (ILAE IEC), 2023 Sep 02-06, Dublin, Ireland, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/epi.17787.
    • “Clinical Added Value of Interictal Automated Electrical Source Imaging in the Presurgical Evaluation of MRI-negative Epileptic Patients: a Monocentric Prospective Study”, In2023 Proceedings of the International League Against Epilepsy 35th International Epilepsy Congress (ILAE IEC), 2023 Sep 02-06, Dublin, Ireland, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/epi.17787.
    • “Characterization of Vagus Nerve Electroneurogram (VENG) During Acute Kainic Acid Induced Seizures”, In2023 Proceedings of the International League Against Epilepsy 35th International Epilepsy Congress (ILAE IEC), 2023 Sep 02-06, Dublin, Ireland, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/epi.17787.
    • “Utilizing Motion Capture Systems for Instrumenting the OCRA Index: A Study on Risk Classification for Upper Limb Work-Related Activities”, Sensors, 2023 Sep 2;23(17):7623, https://doi.org/10.3390/s23177623.
    • “Functional brain connectivity indexes derived from low-density EEG of pre-implanted patients as VNS outcome predictors”, Journal of neural engineering, 2023 Aug 29;20(4):046039, https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/acf1cd.
    • “Clinical Added Value of Interictal Automated Electrical Source Imaging in the Presurgical Evaluation of MRI-negative Epilepsy: A Real-life Experience in 29 Consecutive Patients”, Epilepsy & Behavior, 2023 Jun 01;143:109229, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109229.
    • “Development of a Platform to Assess the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Manual Load Handling Activities - Preliminary Results”, In2023 45th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC), 2023 Jul 24 (pp. 1-5), IEEE, https://doi.org/10.1109/embc40787.2023.10340262.
    • “Automatic Platform for Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorder Risks Estimation from Repetitive Actions -Preliminary results.”, In2023 IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications (MeMeA), 2023 Jun 14 (pp. 1-6), IEEE, https://doi.org/10.1109/memea57477.2023.10171943.
    • “Closed‐Loop Parameter Optimization For Patient‐Specific Phrenic Nerve Stimulation”, Artificial Organs, 2023 May 29;48(3):274-84, https://doi.org/10.1111/aor.14593.
  • 2022
    • "Exploring Silicone Rubber Skin with Embedded Customizable Shape Capacitive Sensors to Enable Haptic Capabilities on Upper Limb Prosthetics," In2022 44th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC), 2022 Jul 11 (pp. 4241-4244), IEEE, https://doi.org/10.1109/EMBC48229.2022.9871761.
    • “Non‐invasive phrenic nerve stimulation to avoid ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction in critical care”, Artificial Organs, 2022 Oct;46(10):1988-97, https://doi.org/10.1111/aor.14244.
    • "PO251/# 854 Noninvasive Closed Loop Diaphragm Stimulation for Ventilated Icu Patients: E-Poster Viewing". Neuromodulation. 2022 Oct 01;25(7):S353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurom.2022.08.423.
    • “Closed-Loop Parameter Optimisation For Patient-Specific Phrenic Nerve Stimulation”, 25th Annual Conference of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society (IFESS), 2022 Sept 25-29, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
  • 2021
    • “Non-Invasive Phrenic Nerve Stimulation To Avoid Ventilator Induced Diaphragm Deconditioning In Critical Care: Parameter Optimisation”, 24th Annual Conference of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society (IFESS) & RehabWeek Virtual '21, 2021 Sept 23-25, Rovinj, Croatia.
    • “Non-Invasive Phrenic Nerve Stimulation To Avoid Ventilator Induced Diaphragm Deconditioning In Critical Care: System Design And Feasibility”, 24th Annual Conference of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society (IFESS) & RehabWeek Virtual '21, 2021 Sept 23-25, Rovinj, Croatia.
  • 2020
    • “Gait Segmentation Method Using a Plantar Pressure Measurement System with Custom-Made Capacitive Sensors”, Sensors, 2020 Jan 24;20(3):656, https://doi.org/10.3390/s20030656.
    • “Simple Wireless Impedance Pneumography System for Unobtrusive Sensing of Respiration”, Sensors, 2020 Sep 14;20(18):5228, https://doi.org/10.3390/s20185228.
  • 2019
    • "Simple Gait Segmentation Method Using a Novel Plantar Pressure Measurement System with Custom-Made Capacitive Sensors: Preliminary Results" In2019 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC), 2019 Oct 17 (pp. 1-4), IEEE, https://doi.org/10.1109/GHTC46095.2019.9033015.
  • 2017
    • "Prótesis de miembro superior mediante impresión 3D con actuadores intercambiables para maximizar la destreza de manipulación.", IBERDISCAP 2017, Bogotá, Colombia.
    • "Prosthetic Hand Wrist Connector Reliability Enhancement by Strongly Coupled Wireless Energy Transfer", 39th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2017 Jul 11-15, Jeju, Korea.
    • "Neural Network Algorithm to Detect the Gait Phases and Trigger a Drop Foot Stimulator Using Inertial Sensors", IFESS Conference (RehabWeek 2017), London, UK.
    • "A Neural Network Algorithm for Detection of Heel Strike and Heel Off Events Using Inertial Sensors to Trigger a Drop Foot Stimulator", 39th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2017 Jul 11-15, Jeju, Korea
    • “After Stroke Movement Impairments: A Review of Current Technologies for Rehabilitation”, Physical Disabilities Uner Tan, IntechOpen, 2017 Jun 14, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/67577.
  • 2016
    • "Myoelectric intuitive control and transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the forearm for vibrotactile sensation feedback applied to a 3D printed prosthetic hand", In2016 38th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2016 Aug 16 (pp. 5046-5050), IEEE, https://doi.org/10.1109/EMBC.2016.7591861.
  • 2015
    • "Prótesis Mioeléctrica de Mano con Retroalimentación Táctil Mediante Estimulación Eléctrica Transcutánea", IBERDISCAP 2015, Punta Arenas, Chile.
    • "Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation in Forearm Nerves for Tactile Feedback in Prosthetics Usage.", 37th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2015 Aug 25-29 Milan, Italy.
    • "Semiautomatic Analysis of Images for Preventive Evaluation of Foot Condition on Infants through Biometric Proportion Index", 37th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2015 Aug 25-29 Milan, Italy.
  • 2014
    • "Algorithm for a Continuous Estimate of Individual Finger Positions Using Surface Electromyography in the Forearm.", 36th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2014 Aug 26-30, Chicago, United States.

Memberships

  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) since 2013
  • IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) since 2013
  • IEEE Life Sciences Community since 2013
  • IEEE Industry Applications Society since 2013
  • IEEE Young Professionals Society since 2013

Awards & Recognitions

  • Universidad de Concepción Award – The Universidad de Concepción Award is the highest academic award that the university grants to undergraduate students and is awarded annually in each degree program to the person who has graduated the immediately preceding academic year and obtained the highest weighted average of grades among the graduates.
  • First Place and Best Poster Award in the IX Latin American Summer School on Computational Intelligence, Temuco, Chile, (November 25 and 26), 2013, with the work entitled “Algorithm to detect and decode a continuous estimate of the position (flexion-extension) of the fingers, using surface electromyography in the forearm”.
  • Second Place Biomedical Projects Contest, Work: "Continuous Position Estimation Model for Each Finger of the Hand Independently Using Superficial Electromyography Signals", November 22, 2013.

Projects & Funding

  • Entrepreneur and “Smartgrip” Project Leader in a Project supported by Corfo's Regional Entrepreneurship Support Program (PRAE), Project ID: 17PRAE-76038. August 2017, Chile. Funding amount: 33.000.000 CLP (approximately € 34.400) for 1 year.
  • Project Manager in FONDEF VIU project. “Robotic Manipulator for Myoelectric Prostheses.” October 2016 – September 2017. Project ID: VIU16E0023. Funding amount: 24.000.000 CLP (approximately € 25.000) for 1 year.

Seminars & Conferences

  • AES 2023 - American Epilepsy Society, December 1-5, 2023, Orlando, Florida, USA.
  • 35th International Epilepsy Congress, 2-6 September 2023 in Dublin, Ireland.
  • 44th Annual IEEE EMBS International Conference, July 11 – 15, 2022, Glasgow, Scotland.
  • 40th Annual IEEE EMBS International Conference, July 17 – 21, 2018, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
  • IBERDISCAP international conference – AITADIS Foundation, November 22 – 24, 2017, Bogotá, Colombia.
  • Leaders in Innovation Fellowships Programme, 2-week intensive course organized by the Royal Academy of Engineering of the United Kingdom (UK), October 16 – October 28, 2017, London, England.
  • Organization of the student paper contest at the 10th Annual Congress of Biomedical Engineering, October 23 – 26, 2017. University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • 21st Annual IFESS Conference at the RehabWeek, July 17 – 20, 2017, London, United Kingdom.
  • 39th Annual IEEE EMBS International Conference, July 11 – 15, 2017, Jeju, South Korea.
  • IX Annual Congress of Biomedical Engineering, October 21-22, 2016. University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • 38th Annual IEEE EMBS International Conference, August 17 – 20, 2016, Orlando, Florida, USA.
  • Leaders in Innovation Fellowships Programme, 2-week intensive course organized by the Royal Academy of Engineering of the United Kingdom (UK), November 28 – December 13, 2015, London, England.
  • VIII Ibero-American Congress of Disability Support Technologies – “IBERDISCAP 2015”, AITADIS Foundation, November 9 to 12, 2015, Punta Arenas, Chile.
  • VIII Annual Congress of Biomedical Engineering, October 15-16, 2015. University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • 37th Annual IEEE EMBS International Conference, August 25 – 29, 2015, Milan, Italy.
  • VII Biomedical Engineering Seminar "International Student Conference Chile 2014", November 3-4, 2014. University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • Seminar: "Alternative Communication Tools”, Thinc Technologies & Inclusive Tools, October 25, 2014, Viña del Mar, Chile.
  • 36th Annual IEEE EMBS International Conference, August 26 – 30, 2014, Chicago, USA.
  • 4th Latin American School for Education, Cognitive and Neural Sciences, March 10-22, 2014, Punta del Este, Uruguay.
  • IX Latin American Summer School on Computational Intelligence EVIC, November 25 and 26, 2013, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
  • VI Biomedical Engineering Seminar, November 22, 2013. University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • 35th Annual IEEE EMBS International Conference, July 3 – 7, 2013, Osaka, Japan.
  • V Biomedical Engineering Seminar, November 16, 2012. University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • Third Chilean Conference on Biomedical Engineering, September 26, 27 and 28, 2012. University of Valparaíso, Chile.
  • IV Biomedical Engineering Seminar “Hospital Management and Innovation and Development”, November 30, 2011. University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • III Biomedical Engineering Seminar: “Clinical Engineering and Emerging Technologies”, September 9, 10 and 11, 2010. University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • II Biomedical Engineering Seminar: “Hand in Hand Towards the Future”, November 9 and 10, 2009. University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • I Biomedical Engineering Seminar: “Management in Hospital Resources and New Technologies”, November 21 and 22, 2008. University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.