Goal: To develop computational methods to calculate the electromagnetic distribution in neural tissue for optimization of neurostimulators, human body models for the safety assessment of wireless biomedical devices, implantable microantennas and coils for high-data rate wireless biomedical devices, novel coils for wireless telemetry systems, methods for the minimization of the temperature increase in the human body due to implantable devices, and methods to optimize electrode shape and size for neurosimulators.
Gianluca Lazzi's research in biomedical electromagnetics has generated considerable interest due to potential high impact on medical devices. We are part of a highly visible consortium formed by the Department of Energy to develop a retinal prosthesis to restore partial vision to the blind. The consortium includes a company, three universities, and five national laboratories. We are also part of an NSF supported Engineering Research Center (ERC) on Biomimetic Devices led by the University of Southern California. My contributions in the field of implantable devices have been recognized with the election as a IEEE Fellow for "contributions to Bioelectromagnetics and implantable devices" at age 37, the IEEE Wheeler Best paper Award for a manuscript on the invention of microwave microantennas for implantable devices, and a R&D100 Award in 2009 for one of the 100 most significant inventions of 2009 (artificial retina)
My leadership roles include my service as the Chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Utah (2009-), Editor-in-Chief of the journal IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters (2008-), and area chair of Bioelectronics at North Carolina State University (2005-2009).