Miguel Nicolelis is a Professor of Neurobiology at Duke University in the United States and the Head of the revolutionary Walk Again project developed by an international team of neuroscientists.

Nicolelis of Greek origin was born in São Paulo and claims that his 10-year long research will result in the construction of thought-controlled exo-skeletons manipulated by the users’ cerebral functions. His lab experiment on monkeys has proven successful so far.

American, Swiss and Brazilian scientists have already joined the Walk Again project. The technology for the construction of mechanical exo-skeletons is already designed and the still missing part involves the software that will allow the patient to control the movement with thought.

«The patient will be able to use their brain to control their movement, but they could also get sensations back from their legs, arms and hands,» Dr. Nicolelis remarked.

An electrode implants chip in the patient’s brain will wirelessly transmit information to the exoskeleton robot allowing it to walk and move.

Dr. Nicolelis studied at the University of São Paulo and later at Hahnemann University. He’s the co-founder and Scientific Director of the Brazil based Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute for Neuroscience of Natal.

During his career he has received several distinctions and awards, like the NIH Innovation Award in 2010. On January 5, 2011, Dr. Nicolelis was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as an ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Nicolelis worked with his team on the exo-skeleton that allowed a quadriplegic kid to kick-off the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.