Current Position:
Matoula S. Salapatas Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Professor of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Institution:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Discipline:
Materials Science & Nanotechnology
Recognized for:
Integrating nanomaterials synthesis and electronic device design to develop neurotechnologies, artificial limbs, and soft robotics that advance our understanding and treatment of neurological disorders.
Areas of Research Interest and Expertise:
Neural interfaces, Bioelectronics, Materials Science, Brain-Body Physiology
Previous Positions:
Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University (Karl Deisseroth)
PhD in Materials Science & Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Vladimir Bulović)
BS in Physics, St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University (Tatiana M. Birshtein)
Research Summary:
Polina Anikeeva, PhD is transforming how we study and treat neurological disorders through materials and device engineering. Anikeeva has developed magnetic nanomaterials for wireless deep brain stimulation. This approach allows remote control of biological processes, such as alleviating Parkinson’s symptoms and on-demand drug delivery. Anikeeva’s work on fiber neurotechnology uncovers neural mechanisms of brain disorders and opens applications in neural repair for spinal cord injury. Additionally, Anikeeva’s innovations in microelectronic fibers are advancing our understanding of the gut-brain axis and creating new tools for artificial muscles and soft robotics. Anikeeva’s work bridges multiple disciplines, leading to breakthroughs in both fundamental science and practical applications.
“It is a great honor to be recognized as a Blavatnik Finalist for our work on bioelectronics and nanotechnology. I am thankful to my trainees, whose creativity delivers elegant materials science and engineering solutions to hard biological problems.”
Key Publications:
Other Honors:
2022 MIT Future Founders $100k Prize
2022 Blavatnik National Award Finalist in Life Sciences
2021 NIH Director’s Pioneer Award (DP1)
2020 Blavatnik National Award Finalist in Life Sciences
2020 MacVicar Faculty Fellowship
2019 MITx Prize for Teaching and Learning in MOOCs
2018 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Sciences
2015 Technology Review TR35
2013 National Science Foundation CAREER Award
2013 DARPA Young Faculty Award
In the Media:
Forbes – Breaking New Ground In Neural Technology: Dr. Polina Anikeeva
MIT Technology Review – “I wanted to work on something that didn’t exist”
Scientific American – “A New Twist on Artificial Muscles”
Popular Mechanics – “The Heroes of Science Who Are Unlocking the Brain: The Engineer Who Wants to Build Better Brain Interface Devices”
MIT Technology Review – TR35
The Guardian – “Remote control of brain activity with heated nanoparticles”