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About

Kelsie Pejsa is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of neural engineering and assistive technology, whose work focuses on restoring autonomy to individuals with severe motor impairments. Her primary research areas include brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), prosthetic limb control, and cortical decoding for tetraplegia. Pejsa’s most influential contribution is her 2014 study on a collaborative BCI approach for autonomous prosthetic limb control, which has garnered 49 citations. This work challenged conventional neural decode-only methods by integrating user intent with machine autonomy, significantly advancing the dexterity and usability of robotic prosthetics. In her more recent 2021 study, Pejsa achieved a remarkable breakthrough by decoding both grasp and speech signals from the cortical grasp circuit in a tetraplegic human—a feat that holds profound implications for restoring communication and movement in paralyzed patients. Though this work has 6 citations to date, its novelty and potential impact are substantial. Pejsa’s research exemplifies a human-centered approach to neurotechnology, offering hope for more intuitive and effective assistive devices. Her contributions are vital for students and researchers exploring the future of BMI-driven rehabilitation and independence.