Samantha R. Santacruz, Ph.D.
Samantha R. Santacruz joined the Biomedical Engineering (BME) department at the University of Texas, Austin, in October 2018. Previously she was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Berkeley, working with Dr. Jose Carmena. Her research focuses on developing systems-based neurotherapies to both treat neural pathologies and to better understand the neural mechanisms responsible through data-driven models and analysis. Dr. Santacruz received her B.A. degree with honors in Applied Mathematics with an emphasis in Systems Theory from UC Berkeley in 2006, her M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Rice University in 2010, and her Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering at Rice University in 2014. She was awarded the Best Thesis Award for her doctoral work on engineering new methods of deep brain stimulation. She has been awarded fellowships from the National Science Foundation, Schlumberger, and Texas Instruments.
Lab Philosophy
The overarching goal of the lab is to make a definitive impact on our understanding of how the brain works and how we can interface with the brain in order to treat neurological disorders. In order to achieve this, it’s necessary to create a lab environment that is inclusive and encourages curiosity, enthusiasm, communication, and perseverance in the face of set-backs. I believe that all lab members have a responsibility to demonstrate the highest level of scientific integrity, to engage in scientific discourse, and to be passionate about their projects. I also believe that the most productive lab is also a happy one, and that a supportive and collegial lab culture is integral to developing such an environment.
Lab Members
Rodrigo Osuna-Orozco, PhD – Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Rodrigo Osuna-Orozco joined the Santacruz lab in 2022 as a postdoctoral fellow. Rodrigo holds Ph.D. and M.Sc. degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mathematics from the University of Washington in Seattle. His research focuses on two main areas: [1] mathematical modeling of recurrent dynamics of neural activity and identification of dynamics from multiple modalities of neural data and [2] using deep reinforcement learning methods to elucidate the roles of learning and adaptation in controlling brain-machine interfaces.
Hannah Stealey – Graduate student
Hannah M. Stealey joined the Santacruz Lab shortly after starting her graduate studies in Fall 2018 in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Prior to joining UT, she completed her B.S. in Biological Engineering, with an emphasis in Biomedical Engineering, from Mississippi State University in May 2018. Hannah’s undergraduate research experience included over two years of investigating traumatic brain injury using rodent and computational models. She is currently working on novel paradigms to study neural circuitry and behaviors impacted by neuropsychiatric disorders.
Hung-Yun Lu – Graduate student
Hung-Yun Lu is a Ph.D. student in the Santacruz lab since Fall 2019. His current project is to study the dopamine fluctuation pattern in non-human primate’s brain using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. He is always fascinated by how brain functions and even more surprised by how scientists are able to extract these information to improve people’s quality of lives. Outside of lab, he really enjoys movies, music, reading, and playing with his lovely cat Sesame.
Yi Zhao – Graduate student
Yi Zhao is a Ph.D. student and still on the way to learning about the brain. She is fascinated by the process of how the brain makes decisions. To investigate this, she focuses on local field potentials which are the summary of the activities of a bunch of local neurons. Local field potentials are obtained by invasive recording electrodes, which are implanted in the brain. Besides exploring the brain, she loves reading novels and traveling.
Grace Jeanpierre – Graduate student
Grace Jeanpierre joined the Santacruz lab as an electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. student in Fall 2020. She graduated with a B.S. in electrical engineering from San Jose State University in Fall 2019. She is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship awardee and is interested in developing the next generation of chronic neural electrodes for closed-loop deep brain stimulation and recording. Her hobbies include golfing, listening to comedy podcasts, hunting down the best cup of coffee in Austin, and spending time with her two fluffy cats Bunny and Wilma.
Megan Baker – Graduate student
Megan Baker joined the Santacruz Lab as a Ph.D. student in Fall of 2021 after completing her Masters at Purdue in 2021 and her Undergraduate Degree at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 2019. She is currently working to fabricate carbon nanofiber electrode arrays for use in recording and stimulating deep brain structures. She hopes to continue to better understand and treat various neurological and psychological disorders. She is also passionate about science education, communication, and policy. Outside of lab, she enjoys paddle boarding, hiking, camping, and playing with her two kitties.
Cole Barnett – Graduate student
Cole R. Barnett is a PhD student who joined the Santacruz Lab in Fall 2022. He graduated from Arizona State University in Spring 2022 with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Cole has been awarded an Imaging Science and Informatics Fellowship from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as well as an Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation (NSF). He has always been fascinated with the vast complexity and elegance of the brain, and his research focuses on understanding decision-making and the brain, including how brain areas communicate with each other, how single neurons contribute to making decisions, and how electrical stimulation can affect these processes. Outside of lab, Cole enjoys playing soccer and volleyball, paddleboarding on Ladybird Lake, and going running with friends.
Lab Alumni
Enrique Contreras Hernandez, PhD – Postdoc
Yin-Jui (Derek) Chang, PhD – Graduate student
We are not currently hiring.
The lab is currently not looking for post-docs, graduate students, and undergraduates. Thank you for your interest!