Osborn, Luke, PhD

Dr. Luke Osborn is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University and a member of the Human Fusions Institute.

His research focuses on sensory feedback and sensorimotor rehabilitation for upper limb prostheses, brain-machine interfaces (BMIs), and robotic systems.

Dr. Osborn’s work integrates neuromorphic sensors, stimulation paradigms, and advanced neural interfaces to restore sensory perception and function in individuals with limb loss or spinal cord injury. He is recognized for developing innovative tactile sensors and noninvasive as well as invasive stimulation methods that enhance prosthesis control and rehabilitation outcomes.

RESEARCH PROGRAMS

• Sensory Feedback for Prosthetics – Investigating neuromorphic encoding and stimulation techniques to restore tactile, thermal, and pain sensations in upper limb amputees.
• Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMI) – Developing neural interfaces and stimulation paradigms to restore sensory and motor function in individuals with spinal cord injury.
• Rehabilitation Robotics & Sensorimotor Restoration – Translating laboratory advances in prosthetic technology and sensorimotor feedback into at-home and clinical rehabilitation settings.
• Textile and E-dermis Sensors – Creating advanced, multilayered sensors to provide real-time tactile feedback for prosthetic and robotic applications.

MAJOR PROJECTS & FUNDING

• NIH, NSF, and VA-Funded Research, Principal Investigator and project lead for multiple federally funded research efforts in sensory feedback, prosthesis control, and neural stimulation.
• Development of Neuromorphic E-dermis for Prosthetics, Lead investigator on projects advancing multilayered tactile sensors and closed-loop feedback systems for prosthetic hands.
• Restoration of Sensation via Brain-Machine Interfaces, PI on studies using noninvasive and intracortical stimulation to restore perception in individuals with amputation and spinal cord injury.
• Collaborative Research, Active collaborations with Johns Hopkins University, the National Institutes of Health, and other leading institutions.

HONORS & RECOGNITION

• Misha Mahowal Prize for Neuromorphic Engineering, 2023
• Outstanding Innovator Award, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 2020
• Early Career Alumni Award, University of Arkansas, 2020
• Outstanding Scholar in Neuroscience Award, National Institutes of Health, 2020
• Forbes 30 Under 30, Forbes, 2019
• Seibel Scholar, Thomas and Stacey Seibel Foundation, 2019
• Best Teaching Assistant Award, Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 2016
• BioCAS – Best Live Demo Award, IEEE, 2016
• Suma Cum Laude, University of Arkansas, 2012