Columbia University

a brief electrical signal used by neurons to transmit information

an undesirable medical occurrence during a clinical study or treatment

an age-related disease that damages the macula and progressively reduces central vision

the ability of a material or device to function without causing an unacceptable biological response

the degree to which a model reflects known biological structure, mechanisms, or behavior

an electrical pulse with two phases of opposite polarity

a retinal neuron that relays signals from photoreceptors to ganglion cells

severe vision loss that may still include some remaining sight

clouding of the eye's lens that can blur or dim vision

the shape and structural features of a cell

treatment that uses living cells to replace, repair, or support damaged tissue

the folded outer layer of the brain involved in perception, thought, and voluntary action

the amount of electric charge delivered per unit electrode area

an action intended to prevent, diagnose, treat, or manage a health condition

a research study in people that evaluates a medical intervention

a photoreceptor specialized for daylight, color, and detailed vision

blindness or severe vision loss that is present from birth

the ability to detect differences between lighter and darker parts of a scene

a device that stimulates the cerebral cortex to create sensory percepts

a U.S. government agency that funds ambitious research and technology development

a small, early clinical study of a medical device focused on initial safety and functionality

the use of controlled electric current to activate or alter neural activity

the opposition to alternating electrical current at an electrode and its surrounding interface

how effectively an electrode records from or stimulates nearby neurons

the study and measurement of electrical activity in cells and tissues

the formation of a tissue capsule around an implanted material

Columbia University

Current Researchers at This Institution

Staphany Park

MS Student (2024 - present)

Former Researchers at This Institution

Gregory Clark, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow (1982 - 1984)

Azita Emami, PhD

Assistant Professor (2006 - 2007)

Alumni

Ashish Ahuja, PhD

BS (1995 - 1999)

William Freeman, MD

BA

Article Information

October 11, 2025 3:05 AM

The following people contributed to this page:

Michael Beyeler

Quick Links

Contact Us

This is a community project. Find out more about our team of contributors. If you'd like to contribute, please contact us.

Media Copyright Information

All images used with permission. Introduction graphic: © Getty. Background graphic: © Tracy Spohn/Shutterstock.