Gerald E. Loeb

Gerald E. Loeb
Gerald E. Loeb portrait
Born1948 (age 77–78)
New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.
OccupationsResearcher, biomedical engineer and academic
Academic background
EducationBachelor of Arts in Human Biology
Doctor of Medicine
Alma materJohns Hopkins University
Academic work
InstitutionsUniversity of Southern California
WebsiteOfficial website

Gerald E. Loeb (born 1948) is an American biomedical engineer, neurophysiologist, and academic. He is a professor of biomedical engineering, neurology, and pharmacy at the University of Southern California (USC).[1]

Loeb's research focuses on neural prosthetics and sensorimotor control.[1] He contributed to early research on the cochlear implant, including design recommendations for low-cost systems, and developed technologies such as BION injectable neuromuscular stimulators and the BioTac biomimetic tactile sensor.[2][3][4][5] He has authored over 400 peer-reviewed articles and a book on electromyography.[1]

Loeb is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering[6] and the National Academy of Inventors.[7]

Early life and education

Loeb was born in 1948 in New Brunswick, New Jersey.[1]

He received a Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology in 1969 and a Doctor of Medicine in 1972 from Johns Hopkins University.[1] He completed a surgical internship at the University of Arizona from 1972 to 1973.[1]

Career

Loeb served at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the Laboratory of Neural Control from 1973 to 1988, advancing from research associate to chief of the Neurokinesiology Section.[1]

From 1988 to 1999, he was professor of physiology and director of the Bio-Medical Engineering Unit at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.[1] From 1994 to 1999, he served as chief scientist (consulting) for Advanced Bionics Corporation.[1]

In 1999, Loeb joined USC as professor of biomedical engineering and director of the Medical Device Development Facility.[1] He has held secondary appointments in neurology since 2006 and pharmacy since 2008.[1]

Loeb was the founding CEO of SynTouch Inc. in 2008 and has served on its board of directors since then.[1]

Research

Loeb's research focuses on neural prosthetics, involving interfaces between electronic devices and the nervous system to restore sensory and motor functions.[5] In the 1990s, he participated in expert panels and contributed to designs for affordable multichannel cochlear implant systems.[3]

His group developed BIONs (BIOnic Neurons), miniature injectable, wirelessly powered stimulators for neuromuscular applications, including treatment of paralysis complications, with studies on recruitment, comfort, and clinical feasibility.[4][8] They also created the BioTac, a biomimetic tactile sensor commercialized by SynTouch Inc. for robotic and prosthetic applications.[5]

Loeb conducts neurophysiological studies of the sensorimotor nervous system and develops computer models to test control theories for functional electrical stimulation (FES) in paralyzed limbs and powered prosthetics.[5]

Awards and honors

Selected works

Books

  • Loeb, Gerald E.; Gans, Carl (1986). Electromyography for Experimentalists. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-49015-1.

Journal articles

Patents

Loeb holds numerous U.S. patents related to neural prosthetics and medical devices, including inventions in biomimetic tactile sensors and implantable stimulators.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "USC - Viterbi School of Engineering - Viterbi Faculty Directory". viterbi.usc.edu. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  2. ^ Rosenberg, Nancy (1995). Cochlear Implantation: Establishing Clinical Feasibility, 1957–1982. National Center for Biotechnology Information. ISBN 978-0-309-05035-7.
  3. ^ a b Wilson, Blake S.; Rebscher, Stephen; Zeng, Fan-Gang; Shannon, Robert V.; Loeb, Gerald E.; Lawson, Dewey T.; Zerbi, Mariangeli (1998). "Design for an inexpensive but effective cochlear implant system". Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 119 (5): 460–464. doi:10.1016/S0194-5998(98)80022-3.
  4. ^ a b Loeb, Gerald E.; Richmond, Frances J.R.; Baker, Lucinda L. (2006). "The BION devices: injectable interfaces with peripheral nerves and muscles". Neurosurgical Focus. 20 (5): E2. doi:10.3171/foc.2006.20.5.3.
  5. ^ a b c d Harmon, Amy (February 10, 2009). "In New Procedure, Artificial Arm Listens to Brain". The New York Times. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  6. ^ a b "Gerald E. Loeb, M.D. COF-0597 - AIMBE". AIMBE. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  7. ^ a b "USC and the National Academy of Inventors". USC Stevens Center for Innovation. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  8. ^ Loeb, Gerald E.; Peck, R.A.; Hood, K. (2001). "BION™ system for distributed neural prosthetic interfaces". Medical Engineering & Physics. 23 (1): 9–18. doi:10.1016/S1350-4533(01)00011-X.
  9. ^ "100 NOTABLE PEOPLE in the Medical Device Industry". MD+DI Online. June 1, 2008. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  10. ^ "Popular Mechanics honors UHS grad as 'innovator'". The Unionville Times. 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  11. ^ "Introducing the 2014 Technology Pioneers". World Economic Forum. August 27, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
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