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, CTO

  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.
• 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.
• Zhe Hu, PhD

  Principal Electrical Engineer

  Dr. Hu has a PhD in biomedical engineering and extensive experience developing implantable neurostimulation systems for neurological disorders. He previously developed neurostimulators for chronic pain, and visual prosthetics for the blind.

Advisors

• Bob Gross, MD PhD

  Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery, Rutgers University

• Ramon Diaz-Arrastia, MD PhD

  Presidential Professor of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania

• Geoff Aguirre, MD PhD

  Professor of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania

• Brad Lega, MD

  Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center