Margaret C. Thompson
Papers
3
Total Citations
76
H-Index
2
About
Dr. Margaret C. Thompson is a leading figure in neural engineering, whose work is fundamentally redefining the restoration of motor function and sensory feedback for individuals with paralysis. Her research sits at the critical intersection of brain-machine interfaces (BMIs), bimanual robotics, and somatosensory neuroprosthetics. Dr. Thompson’s most impactful contribution, her 2022 paper on shared control of bimanual robotic limbs for self-feeding (59 citations), directly tackles the immense challenge of restoring coordinated, two-handed manipulation—a feat previously considered unsolvable. She further advanced the field by demonstrating the first simultaneous classification of bilateral hand gestures from a tetraplegic participant’s neural activity, proving that the brain’s intent for both hands can be decoded in real-time. Most recently, her 2024 work has begun to close the sensory-motor loop by using intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) to convey artificial touch, specifically grip force, from a robotic hand. By pioneering these integrated systems for both motor control and tactile sensation, Dr. Thompson is not just building better prosthetics; she is laying the groundwork for a future where individuals with sensorimotor deficits can regain the nuanced, intuitive control needed for the most fundamental daily tasks.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2
- 3