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Robert Rennaker

Robert Rennaker

Texas Instruments Distinguished Chair in Bioengineering
Professor - Department of Neuroscience
Associate Director, Texas Biomedical Device Center
Associate Vice President for Research Centers and Institutes, CEO Xnerve Medical, VP Engineering and Innovation Konan Medical USA

Development of targeted plasticity therapy to treat neurological conditions.

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Professional Preparation

Ph.D. - Bioengineering
Arizona State University - 2002
M.S. - Bioengineering
Arizona State University - 2001
B.S.E. - Bioengineering
Arizona State University - 1997

Research Areas

Research Interests
Dr. Rennaker's research focuses on the development of technologies to prevent, detect and treat neurological injury and disease.  

Publications

Flat electrode contacts for vagus nerve stimulation 2019 - Journal Article
A suite of automated tools to quantify hand and wrist motor function after cervical spinal cord injury 2019 - Journal Article
Vagus nerve stimulation reverses the extinction impairments in a model of PTSD with prolonged and repeated trauma 2019 - Journal Article
Vagus nerve stimulation promotes generalization of conditioned fear extinction and reduces anxiety in rats 2019 - Journal Article
Vagus nerve stimulation intensity influences motor cortex plasticity 2019 - Journal Article
Vagus nerve stimulation produces immediate dose-dependent anxiolytic effect in rats 2019 - Journal Article
ReStore: A wireless peripheral nerve stimulation system 2019 - Journal Article
Vagus nerve stimulation enhances stable plasticity and generalization of stroke recovery 2018 - Journal Article

Awards

Cecil H and Ida Green Professor In System Biology - UT Dallas [2013]
The University of Oklahoma Presidential Associates Professorship - University of Oklahoma [2009]
University of Oklahoma Alumni Teaching Award - University of Oklahoma [2007]
Tom J. Love Outstanding Teacher Award - University of Oklahoma [2003]
Whitaker Ph.D. Fellow - Whitaker Foundation [1998]
Kuwait Liberation Medal - USMC [1992]
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal - USMC [1992]
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal - USMC [1991]
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal - USMC [1991]
National Defense Medal - USMC [1991]

Appointments

Full Professor
The University of Texas at Dallas [2014–2020]
Department Chair
The University of Texas at Dallas [2013–2019]
Full Professor
The University of Texas at Dallas; Neuroscience [2013–2020]
Associate Director
Texas Biomedical Device Center [2012–2020]

Additional Information

Honors
  •  Whitaker Ph.D. Fellowship, Arizona State University 1998
  •  Tom J. Love Outstanding Professor, Unlverslty of Oklahoma, 2003
  •  Alumni Teaching Award, University of Oklahoma, 2007
  •  Presidential Professorship, The University of Oklahoma Presidential Associates 2009
  • Texas Instruments Distinguished Chair in Bioengineering at UT Dallas 2015
Personal Statement
 Dr. Rennaker graduated high school in 1988 and then served in the United States Marine Corps for 5 years. During that time, Dr. Rennaker participated in Operation Sharp Edge in Liberia, Desert Shield/Storm in Kuwait, and Provide Comfort in Yugoslavia. Following his honorable discharge, Dr. Rennaker received his BSE (1997), MS (1999) and Ph.D. (2002) in Biomedical Engineering from Arizona State University. Dr. Rennaker is a Full professor with appointment in Neuroscience.   Dr. Rennaker is the Associate Director of the Texas Biomedical Device Center and Chair of the Bioengineering Department.