James Eles

James is a PhD Candidate in the Neural Tissue/Electrode Interface and Neural Tissue Engineering Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh. His research focuses on understanding and improving the interaction between neural tissue and implantable medical devices for brain-machine interfaces. Interested in medical product translation, James joined with OXIDENT in 2015—a team of bioengineers, chemical engineers, and dental clinicians to further the commercial translation of technology to reduce complications from dental implants. The team’s efforts resulted in over $140,000 in funding from University of Pittsburgh commercialization grants and competitions, and ultimately the spin-out company Interphase Materials. Following this experience, James began working at sciVelo to further explore and contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem at University of Pittsburgh. James is also active in the Center for Neural Basis of Cognition and University of Pittsburgh Biomedical Engineering Society chapter.

Education

PhD Candidate, Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Expected: 2017
BS, Neuroscience. University of Rochester, 2012

Research Experience

Graduate Research

• Neural Tissue/Electrode Interface and Neural Tissue Engineering Laboratory –Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh — Mentor: Tracy Cui
• Eles JR, Vazquez AL, Snyder NR, Lagenaur C, Murphy MC, Kozai TDY, Cui XT. Neuroadhesive L1 coating attenuates acute microglial attachment to neural electrodes as revealed by live two-photon microscopy. Biomaterials. 2017, 113: 279-92.
• Eles JR*, Degenhart AD*, Dum R, Mischel JL, Smalianchuk I, Endler B, Ashmore RC, Tyler-Kabara EC, Hatsopoulos NG, Wang W, Batista AP, Cui XT. Histological evaluation of a chronically-implanted electrocorticographic electrode grid in a non-human primate. Journal of Neural Engineering. 2016, 13(4): 046019. [*Denotes equal contribution]
• Wellman SM, Eles JR, Ludwig JP, Seymour NJ, Michelson WE, McFadden AL, Vazquez AL, Kozai TDY. A Materials Roadmap to Functional Neural Interface Design. Advanced Functional Materials. 2017, Accepted.
• Kozai TDY, Eles JR, Vazquez AL, Cui XT. Two-photon imaging of chronically implanted neural electrodes: Sealant Methods and new insights. Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 2015, 258(30) 46-55.

Undergraduate Research

• The Functional Synapse Group – University of Rochester Medical Center – Mentor: Ania Majewska
• Center for Neurodegenerative and Vascular Brain Disorders – University of Rochester Medical Center – Mentor: Berislav Zlokovic

Commercial Translation Experience

• Won over $140,000 in University of Pittsburgh competitions: Randall Family Big Idea, Wells Student Healthcare Entrepreneurship, and Pittsburgh Innovation Challenge
• Participated in University of Pittsburgh Student Incubator: Blast Furnace
• Resulted in spin-out company: Interphase Materials

OXIDENT – Project Manager (2015-Present)

• Co-inventor of patent pending technology to create a dental implant with fewer complications
• Worked with a diverse team of bioengineers, chemical engineers, and dental clinicians