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SOFIA GONZALEZ MEZQUITA: WORLD CITIZEN & CHAIRWOMAN
“Neurotechnology gives us the tools to explore the intricate workings of the mind and mechanisms behind thought and consciousness. The combination of discovery and applications makes it such an exiting domain,” says Sofia Gonzalez Mezquita, master student in Electronics & ICT Engineering Technology at Group T Campus and recently the new Chairwoman of NeuroTech Leuven. As a global citizen, she wants to put her team on the world map.
We are a multicultural team of 20 undergraduates, masters and PhD students with different expertise where we foster values of learning, collaboration and innovation,” Sofia explains. “We provide students with opportunities to grow through hands-on experience and expert guidance. Our focus is on promoting teamwork among students, researchers and industry professionals to push the boundaries of the Neurotechnology field. We encourage creative and cutting-edge contribution across all our projects driving neurotechnology forward.”
Innovation-driven
Sofia hails from Valladolid (Spain) but spent most of her childhood abroad. “Moving has always been a part of my live, as I’ve lived in Spain, France and Japan, relocating every three years,” says Sofia. “This constant change has allowed me to adapt to diverse people, environments and cultures. I decided to move to Leuven because of its dynamic, innovation-driven environment, its strong focus on technology and its outstanding higher education programmes.”
In an international environment like Group T Campus, Sofia quickly felt at home. So it was not long before she came into contact with the young and ambitious NeuroTech team and its inspiring chairwoman. It took Rochelle Aubry no effort to convince the inquisitive Sofia to join the team. She found an excellent biotope there to share her passion with enthusiastic like-minded people. Consequently, it clicked immediately. So much so that a year later Sofia took the torch over from her illustrious predecessor.
Brain Computer Interface
During the past academic year, Sofia collaborated on a challenging project called ‘Mind Witcher’. This is an innovative application that integrates neurotechnology into gaming. “The core of the project involves using electroencephalogram readings of brain signals with proper filtering and processing to translate users’ thoughts into actions in the game,” says Sofia. “For instance, EEG signals related to imaginary movements are used to perform actions like casting spells or calling a horse, while emotion classification allowed us to dynamically modify the in-game weather. This step allows users to engage with the game without any physical input, demonstrating the powerful potential of neurotechnology. The system is designed to be plug-and-play or requires minimal calibration, ensuring both high accuracy and an intuitive user experience. The goal of this project was to interact with virtual environments through thought alone, highlighting that the practical applications of neurotech go beyond gaming.
“While the project focuses on interactive entertainment, its broader implications are evident, particularly in medical cases such as Locked-In Syndrome and progressive muscle diseases.”
Outlook
Most applications of neurotechnology are still in the medical sector for the treatment of neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, major depression and brain injury. Sofia’s predecessor Rochelle saw it more broadly than health care and wanted to include biochemical and biotechnological aspects. She stressed the potential to elevate human experiences and functioning in many other ways such as enhancing human learning ability, boosting physical performances and enabling efficiencies like brain-controlled devices. “I am excited to continue Rochelle’s vision,” Sofia confirmed. “My aim is to take this field even further at the academic level.”
Furthermore, Sofia wants to boost international exposure and cooperation. “Last year, we partnered with a student group, Serpentine, at the University of Eindhoven that focuses on AI research and applications. Together, we explored the world of Data Science, which plays a major role in areas like brain-computer interface where understanding data is essential. By sharing knowledge and collaborating on projects with teams abroad, we can unlock new opportunities and advance applications that have a real impact on individuals and society at large,” Sofia concludes, emphasizing her commitment to growing these col- laborations with other universities and institutions, fostering a global network to drive innovation even further.
Yves Persoons
www.ntxl.org
