Andrew J Whalen
Associate Research ScientistDownloadHi-Res Photo
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Appointments
Neurosurgery
Primary
Contact Info
About
Titles
Associate Research Scientist
Biography
Mechanical Engineer and Neuroscientist dedicated to advancing neural engineering solutions for pressing health challenges. With a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University, my expertise lies in the modeling and stimulation of brain tissue and the development of next-gen neural prosthetics and control algorithms for therapeutic nervous system interventions.
Appointments
Neurosurgery
Associate Research ScientistPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Neurosurgery
- Schiff Lab
Education & Training
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School (2022)
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- The Pennsylvania State University (2019)
- PhD
- The Pennsylvania State University, Mechanical Engineering (2017)
- BS
- The Pennsylvania State University, Mechanical Engineering (2008)
Research
Overview
Mechanical Engineer and Neuroscientist dedicated to advancing neural engineering solutions for pressing health challenges. With a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University, my expertise lies in the modeling and stimulation of brain tissue and the development of next-gen neural prosthetics and control algorithms for therapeutic nervous system interventions. At Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, I’ve delved deep into the mechanisms of micro-magnetic stimulation, designing optimized micro-coil geometries for neuromodulation and evaluating implantable device safety. My multidisciplinary collaborations span from controlling neonatal sepsis in Africa to pioneering control strategies for migraine attacks and prosthetic neuromodulation. I’m committed to continuing research that bridges mechanical engineering and neuroscience, fostering academic partnerships, and mentoring the next generation of scientists.
Medical Research Interests
Africa; Central Nervous System Infections; Cortical Spreading Depression; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Haiti; Hydrocephalus; Intracranial Hypertension; Neonatal Sepsis; Photothermal Therapy; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Uganda; Vietnam
ORCID
0000-0002-0782-9300- View Lab Website
Schiff Lab
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Andrew J Whalen's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Andrew J Whalen's research output by year.
Research Interests
Research topics Andrew J Whalen is interested in exploring.
Steven Schiff, MD, PhD, FACS
Ronald Mulondo
Joseph N Paulson, PhD
Mercedeh Javanbakht Movassagh
15Publications
379Citations
Uganda
Hydrocephalus
Cortical Spreading Depression
Neonatal Sepsis
Africa
Publications
Featured Publications
Observability and Controllability of Nonlinear Networks: The Role of Symmetry
Whalen A, Brennan S, Sauer T, Schiff S. Observability and Controllability of Nonlinear Networks: The Role of Symmetry. Physical Review X 2015, 5: 011005. PMID: 30443436, PMCID: PMC6234006, DOI: 10.1103/physrevx.5.011005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsNonlinear networksMathematical modelPresence of symmetryComplex nonlinear networksRole of symmetryNetworked systemsExplicit symmetryLinear networkSuch subspacesPresent theoryRotational symmetryStructural controllabilityObservabilityReal systemComplex networksSymmetryControllabilityObserver modelNonlinear measuresSuch networksSubspaceModel behaviorNetwork observationsNetworkModelControl of Spreading Depression with Electrical Fields
Whalen A, Xiao Y, Kadji H, Dahlem M, Gluckman B, Schiff S. Control of Spreading Depression with Electrical Fields. Scientific Reports 2018, 8: 8769. PMID: 29884896, PMCID: PMC5993812, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26986-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsElectric fieldField polarityDC electric fieldElectric field polarityElectrical controlOptical imagingPropagation pathIntrinsic optical imagingOpposite signDepression propagatesElectrical fieldField terminationElectro-chemical gradientPropagation velocityPropagatesFieldTraumatic brain injuryPropagationConfinementMore superficial layersDepression propagationBrain injurySynaptic transmissionBrain slicesWavesThermal effects on neurons during stimulation of the brain
Kim T, Kadji H, Whalen A, Ashourvan A, Freeman E, Fried S, Tadigadapa S, Schiff S. Thermal effects on neurons during stimulation of the brain. Journal Of Neural Engineering 2022, 19: 056029. PMID: 36126646, PMCID: PMC9855718, DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac9339.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsThermal effectsJoule heatingMagnetic coilsRate dependencyElectrical interactionsSmall thermal effectsTemperature changesDissipation of energyNumerical modelingRange of frequenciesThermal energyMagnetic fieldDC drivingMagnetic inductionElectrical currentStatic magnetic fieldSmall temperature increaseTemperature increaseAccurate modulationCoilEnergy depositionHeatingConductorsTransient effectsElectrodeMEMS micro-coils for magnetic neurostimulation
Liu X, Whalen A, Ryu S, Lee S, Fried S, Kim K, Cai C, Lauritzen M, Bertram N, Chang B, Yu T, Han A. MEMS micro-coils for magnetic neurostimulation. Biosensors And Bioelectronics 2023, 227: 115143. PMID: 36805270, DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115143.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsMEMS fabrication processHigh power efficiencyPhysical vapor depositionDRIE processThick metal filmSOI waferALD aluminaFabrication processParylene CCoil resistanceDevice fabricationProcess technologyLithography stepAl wireProbe fabricationMask fabricationPower efficiencyVapor depositionMetal filmsHigh conductivityLeak resistanceFabricationDesign changesCoil deviceMaskless photolithographyThermal safety considerations for implantable micro-coil design
Whalen A, Fried S. Thermal safety considerations for implantable micro-coil design. Journal Of Neural Engineering 2023, 20: 046017. PMID: 37451256, PMCID: PMC10467159, DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ace79a.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsWire materialThermal gradientThermal impactActive implantable medical devicesMicro-magnetic stimulationFinite element modelingFine-wire thermocouplesImplantable medical devicesTemperature increaseElement modelingWire thermocouplesConductor materialBent wiresSafe designSafety limitsVoltage amplitudeNumerical modelingWire coilPlatinum/iridiumThermal profileConstruction geometrySuch devicesHigh temperaturePromising novel technologyMedical devices
2023
Paenibacillus spp infection among infants with postinfectious hydrocephalus in Uganda: an observational case-control study
Morton S, Hehnly C, Burgoine K, Ssentongo P, Ericson J, Kumar M, Hagmann C, Fronterre C, Smith J, Movassagh M, Streck N, Bebell L, Bazira J, Kumbakumba E, Bajunirwe F, Mulondo R, Mbabazi-Kabachelor E, Nsubuga B, Natukwatsa D, Nalule E, Magombe J, Erickson T, Ngonzi J, Ochora M, Olupot-Olupot P, Onen J, Ssenyonga P, Mugamba J, Warf B, Kulkarni A, Lane J, Whalen A, Zhang L, Sheldon K, Meier F, Kiwanuka J, Broach J, Paulson J, Schiff S. Paenibacillus spp infection among infants with postinfectious hydrocephalus in Uganda: an observational case-control study. The Lancet Microbe 2023, 4: e601-e611. PMID: 37348522, PMCID: PMC10529524, DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(23)00106-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsMother-newborn pairsPostinfectious hydrocephalusCerebrospinal fluidNeonatal sepsisSpp infectionUgandan infantsMaternal bloodObservational case-control studyHospital OfficeInfant's cerebrospinal fluidBurden of morbidityCase-control studyRoute of infectionSubset of participantsMaternal feverCranial ultrasoundNeonatal infectionSepsis cohortOptimise treatmentTransplacental transmissionCord bloodObservational studyPlacental samplesSepsisHydrocephalusVerification of operational numerical weather prediction model forecasts of precipitation using satellite rainfall estimates over Africa
Wang Y, Gueye M, Greybush S, Greatrex H, Whalen A, Ssentongo P, Zhang F, Jenkins G, Schiff S. Verification of operational numerical weather prediction model forecasts of precipitation using satellite rainfall estimates over Africa. Meteorological Applications 2023, 30 PMCID: PMC11568113, DOI: 10.1002/met.2112.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAfrican Rainfall Climatology Version 2Inter-Tropical Convergence ZoneNumerical weather modelsNumerical weather prediction model forecastsMedium-Range Weather ForecastsSatellite rainfall estimatesModel rainfall forecastShort-term forecastsComplete spatial coverageClimate-related diseasesAfrican rainfallRainfall estimatesRainfall forecastsConvergence zoneRainfall observationsSeasonal timescalesModel forecastsWeather forecastsDaily forecastsWeather modelsEuropean CentreAbstract RainfallForecast modelSitu observationsSpatial coverage
2021
Identifiability of Infection Model Parameters Early in an Epidemic
Sauer T, Berry T, Ebeigbe D, Norton M, Whalen A, Schiff S. Identifiability of Infection Model Parameters Early in an Epidemic. SIAM Journal On Control And Optimization 2021, 0: s27-s48. PMID: 36338855, PMCID: PMC9634856, DOI: 10.1137/20m1353289.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricPan-African evolution of within- and between-country COVID-19 dynamics
Ssentongo P, Fronterre C, Geronimo A, Greybush S, Mbabazi P, Muvawala J, Nahalamba S, Omadi P, Opar B, Sinnar S, Wang Y, Whalen A, Held L, Jewell C, Muwanguzi A, Greatrex H, Norton M, Diggle P, Schiff S. Pan-African evolution of within- and between-country COVID-19 dynamics. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2021, 118: e2026664118. PMID: 34187879, PMCID: PMC8285917, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2026664118.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricThe impact of synchronous versus asynchronous electrical stimulation in artificial vision
Moleirinho S, Whalen A, Fried S, Pezaris J. The impact of synchronous versus asynchronous electrical stimulation in artificial vision. Journal Of Neural Engineering 2021, 18: 051001. PMID: 33900206, PMCID: PMC11565581, DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/abecf1.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
activity Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience
Journal ServiceEditorDetails2023 - Presentactivity Thermal considerations for implantable micro-coil design
Oral Presentation1st Conference of Magnetic Technologies and Clinical Applications in Neuroscience (MagCAN Conference)Details08/24/2023 - 08/25/2023Minneapolis, MN, United Statesactivity Thermal considerations for implantable micro-coil design
Poster PresentationNIH 9th Annual BRAIN Initiative MeetingDetails06/12/2023 - 06/13/2023Bethesda, MD, United Statesactivity Thermal Effects from Magnetic Neuronal Stimulation
Poster PresentationNIH 8th Annual BRAIN Initiative MeetingDetails06/21/2022 - 06/22/2022Bethesda, MD, United Statesactivity Thermal Effects from Magnetic Neuronal Stimulation
Oral Presentation1st Minnesota NeuroSpin Initiative WorkshopDetails12/07/2021 - PresentMinneapolis, MN, United States