News  |  September 15, 2025

Professor Jonathan Kao’s Paper on AI-Powered Brain Devices Featured in Nature

Professor Jonathan Kao and his team developed a breakthrough in brain-computer interfaces (BCI), enabling a partially paralyzed man to control a robotic arm using a non-invasive device enhanced by artificial intelligence. By integrating an AI “co-pilot” that helps interpret the user’s intentions, the researchers dramatically improved the system’s speed and accuracy. This innovation marks a significant step toward practical assistive technologies that restore independence for people with paralysis.

Please see the paper, the Nature feature article, and the UCLA article. 

Professor Babakhani’s Group Published a New Paper Introducing Automated, Wireless, Batteryless Vagus Nerve Stimulation Operating in a Closed-Loop

Professor Babakhani’s group published a paper in Nature Scientific Reports, where they introduced a fully automated, wireless, batteryless vagus nerve stimulation (FAW-VNS) system operating in closed-loop. The miniaturized implant dynamically adjusts stimulation parameters in real-time to maximize efficacy while minimizing adverse effects like bradycardia—paving the way for safer, personalized, and unsupervised VNS therapies.

Please see the article.

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Ozcan Lab Published a New Paper in Nature on Optical Generative Models

Ozcan Lab published a new paper in Nature on “Optical Generative Models”. A shallow and fast digital encoder first maps random noise into phase patterns that serve as optical generative seeds for a desired data distribution; a jointly trained free-space-based reconfigurable decoder all-optically processes these generative seeds to create, in a snapshot, images never seen before.

Please see the article and press release.

Ozcan Lab Published a New Paper in Nature on “Training of physical neural networks”

In collaboration with a consortium of research groups spanning academia and industry, Ozcan Lab published a new paper in Nature on “Training of physical neural networks”. 

Please see the article. 

Professor Chan Joshi Elected as a Foreign Fellow of the Indian National Sciences Academy

The Indian National Science Academy is one of India’s leading scientific institutions, dedicated to promoting scientific excellence and advising the government on science-related matters. Professor Chan Joshi was elected as a foreign fellow in recognition for his pioneering contributions to plasma-based particle acceleration. The inauguration will take place in 2026.

Professor Chee Wei Wong’s Team Tests Small Accelerometer for Big Navigation Improvement

UCLA research team has successfully tested a chip-sized optomechanical accelerometer during a high-altitude balloon flight, marking a key milestone in the development of precision navigation systems for spacecraft beyond low Earth orbit. Designed by Professor Wong’s team of researchers, and flown with support from NASA’s Flight Opportunities program, the device aims to offer a tenfold improvement in navigation accuracy without relying on GPS. With its low-noise operation and compact size, the accelerometer could play a critical role in future deep-space missions, including those under NASA’s LunaNet architecture. The on-site UCLA team included Talha Yerebakan, Justin Tang, Willson Luo, and Professor Wong.

Events/Seminars

Student Organizations

Bruin Welcome Day

Are you an incoming freshman or new transfer interested in Electrical and Computer Engineering? Welcome to UCLA from IEEE, WATT, and HKN (UCLA’s premier ECE student organizations). We are so excited to have you here!

Join us for our annual ECE Welcome Day to discover what UCLA Electrical and Computer Engineering has to offer, with insights from students and professors (plus we will have snacks). Be prepared for some icebreakers, a Q&A panel, as well as some time to mingle!

When: Monday, September 22nd, from 9 AM – 12 PM

Where: Mong Auditorium in Engineering 6

Please fill out this RSVP form to register for the event and submit questions for the panel: https://tinyurl.com/ecewelcomeday2025

Looking forward to seeing you soon Bruins!

Job Opportunities

Engineer or Project Manager at DMF Lighting

DMF Lighting designs and builds industry-leading LED downlighting that sets the standard for flexibility, performance, and quality. Founded over 30 years ago, DMF has grown into a leader in the lighting industry, driven by a passion for innovation and customer service.

Our in-house engineers constantly push the boundaries of lighting, delivering products that combine exceptional performance with beautiful design. At DMF, we believe in a collaborative, forward-thinking culture that empowers our team to bring creative ideas to life and make a lasting impact. If you’re looking for a company where creativity and innovation are part of the DNA, DMF is the place for you.

We currently have the following openings available:

Electrical Engineer, Sr. Electrical Engineer, Embedded Firmware Engineer, Mechanical Engineer I, Mechanical Engineer, Project Manager

Website: www.dmflighting.com 

Please see this link for more information regarding these positions.

Contact: Helen Portillo, Human Resources Generalist at HPortillo@dmflighting.com 

Electrical/Computer Engineering Intern at Sophia Space

A well-funded deep-tech startup in Pasadena is seeking Electrical/Computer Engineering Interns to help develop its AI-powered product prototypes. The interns are expected to blend electronics hardware and embedded software to build groundbreaking AI infrastructure in space. Roles are available full-time or part-time starting immediately, with the option to continue part-time (~10–15 hrs/week) during the academic year. 

Please see this link for more information regarding this position.

ECE Telecom Faculty Position at Texas Tech University

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Whitacre College of Engineering at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track, open-rank (Assistant/Associate/Full Professor) to begin January 16, 2026.

Please see this link for more information regarding this position.

Newsletter Submissions

To be included in future newsletters, please send the latest news, awards, publications and any upcoming PhD oral defenses to the Chair’s assistant, Winda Mak, at wmak@seas.ucla.edu. Please include “newsletter submission” in the subject line. The ECE newsletters will be sent bimonthly on the first and third Mondays of the month. Please ensure all submissions are received by the Wednesday before distribution to be included in the newsletter.