Team

Nia Therapeutics is a team of visionary scientists, engineers and clinicians dedicated to improving human memory using safe, secure neurotechnology.

• Dan Rizzuto, PhD

  Founder, CEO

  Dr. Rizzuto developed Nia's core technology at the University of Pennsylvania as part of the DARPA Restoring Active Memory Project.  He completed his doctorate in the neuroscience of human memory at Brandeis University, his postdoctoral training in brain-machine interfaces at Caltech.
• Daniel Utin

  Chief Software Architect

  Daniel is an expert in developing secure, scalable, high-volume software systems. Before Nia, he worked at MIT Lincoln Lab developing cybersecurity technologies, where he won the R&D 100 award. He previously co-founded two software companies, both acquired.
• Mike Kahana, PhD

  Founder & Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board

  Mike is the Edmund and Louise Kahn Term Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and the co-inventor of Nia’s core technology. Mike received the Troland Award and the Warren Medal for his discoveries in human memory and neuroscience.
• Chris Ho

  Principal Software Developer

  Chris is a full-stack software engineer with over 20 years of experience involving user interfaces, communication, databases, security, operations, and regulatory compliance. Chris was previously the director of technology at MD Connect.
• Marcella Garcia

  Vice President of Quality and Regulatory Affairs

  Marcella has a track record of overseeing healthcare quality and compliance initiatives. She was previously Director of Quality and Compliance at HDAI and Happify Health, and completed her bachelor's degree in computer engineering at Vanderbilt University.
• Andrew Smiles

  Implantable Systems Engineer

  Andrew is a systems design engineer specialized in creating biological to digital interfaces. He previously developed bidirectional neural interfaces for amputees during his work at the University of Waterloo and at the Centre for Bionics and Pain Research.
• Josh Kahn

  Sr. Embedded Software Engineer

  Josh Kahn is an experienced embedded software engineer who previously worked in the robotics and energy storage industries. He received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology.

Advisors

• Bob Gross, MD PhD

  Professor of Neurosurgery, Emory University

• Tim Denison, PhD

  Royal Academy Chair in Emerging Technology at Oxford University

• Ramon Diaz-Arrastia, MD PhD

  Professor of Neurology and Director of TBI Clinical Research, University of Pennsylvania

• Geoff Aguirre, MD PhD

  Professor of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania

• Bob Greenberg, MD PhD

  Chief Executive Officer, Alfred Mann Foundation

• Brad Lega, MD

  Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center