Dr Mahnaz Arvaneh
Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering
Senior Lecturer
+44 114 222 5649
Full contact details
Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering
Amy Johnson Building
Portobello Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
- Profile
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Mahnaz received a Ph.D. on Advanced Brain-computer Interface from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore in 2013. From 2009 to 2013, she was also an attached researcher at the Institute for Infocomm Research, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore. Thereafter, she moved to University College Dublin where she worked as a lecturer in Biomedical Engineering in 2013. From 2014 to 2015, Mahnaz worked as a research fellow in the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience. Since September 2015, she has been a lecturer in the Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering at the University of Sheffield.
Mahnaz’ expertise is in Brain-computer interface, neural signal processing, and their applications in monitoring and enhancing physical and mental health. She is the director of Physiological Signals and Systems Laboratory at University of Sheffield. Her work on neural interfaces has received high-profile media coverage, e.g. BBC Tech Tent, BBC Radio 4, Sky News, etc. She has published more than 50 highly cited papers in both engineering and neuroscience top-ranked journals and conferences. Since March 2018, she has been serving as an associate editor in IEEE transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering. She also co-edited a book on brain-computer interface in IET, and contributed in Royal Society Neural Interfaces Perspective, launched in September 2019.
- Research interests
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In my research, I combine analytical and experimental techniques and develop novel signal processing and pattern recognition algorithms to better understand how our physiological systems (particularly the nervous system) work in healthy and diseased states. Through this research, I aim to improve our understanding of the human body, both to address fundamental questions in the control of physiological systems and to develop improved therapeutic, assistive, adaptive and rehabilitative technologies for a variety of conditions.
My research interests include:
- Biomedical signal processing, machine learning and pattern recognition
- Statistical and adaptive signal processing, and mathematical modelling of bioelectric signals
- Neural and cognitive process, clinical applications, and understanding
- Brain–computer interface algorithms, systems, adaptation, and applications
- Robotic and BCI-based stroke rehabilitation
- Neuroprosthetic learning and control
- Medical system and device research and development
Pilot funding, feasibility studies and equipment grants
- Woman Academic Return Program (WARP), £10000 funded by University of Sheffield for recruiting a research assistant, Nov 2017-Nov 2018.
- Robotics Capital Equipment Grant for purchasing an exoskeleton, £36000 funded by EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Large-Area Electronics, Nov 2016.
- “Controlling Prosthetic hands”, £1000 travel grant funded by Innovation Impact and Knowledge Exchange (IIKE), Nov 2016-March 2017.
- “Brain-controlled assistive devices”, £3000 small grant funded by Japanese-Anglo Daiwa foundation, June 2016-May 2018.
- “Controlling neuroprosthesis using brain and muscle signals”, £2700 funded by EPSRC Vacation Bursary (PI), June 2016- August 2016.
- “Enhancing Neuroprosthetic Control Using Error Related Brain Activities”, £5000 funded by EPSRC Institutional Sponsorship (CI), Nov 2015-Mar2016
- M. Arvaneh, “Mind controlled computers”, 500€ funded by European Commission in association with EU Researchers’ Night, Sep 2015 (equipment grant)
- M. Arvaneh, I. Robertson, “Analysing brain signals for monitoring and enhancing cognitive performance”, 3600€ funded by Insight (Science Foundation Ireland), March 2015 (for recruiting an intern student)
- M. Arvaneh, A. Martel, I. Robertson, 2000€ funded by European Commission in association with EU Researchers’ Night, Sep 2014 (equipment grant)
- M. Arvaneh, 400 USD IEEE Signal Processing Society Travel Grant for ICASSP 2012
- Publications
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Books
- Front Matter. Institution of Engineering and Technology.
Edited books
- Signal Processing and Machine Learning for Brain-Machine Interfaces. Institution of Engineering and Technology.
Journal articles
- Bayesian learning from multi-way EEG feedback for robot navigation and target identification. Scientific Reports, 13(1). View this article in WRRO
- A transfer learning algorithm to reduce brain-computer interface calibration time for long-term users. Frontiers in Neuroergonomics, 3.
- A Transfer Learning Approach for UAV Path Design with Connectivity Outage Constraint.. CoRR, abs/2211.03696.
- A multimodal neuroprosthetic interface to record, modulate and classify electrophysiological biomarkers relevant to neuropsychiatric disorders. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 9. View this article in WRRO
- Correction to: Biomarkers and neuromodulation techniques in substance use disorders. Bioelectronic Medicine, 6(1).
- Biomarkers and neuromodulation techniques in substance use disorders. Bioelectronic Medicine, 6(1). View this article in WRRO
- "You have reached your destination" : a single trial EEG classification study. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14. View this article in WRRO
- Dynamic time warping-based transfer learning for improving common spatial patterns in brain-computer interface. Journal of Neural Engineering. View this article in WRRO
- Towards error categorisation in BCI: single-trial EEG classification between different errors. Journal of Neural Engineering. View this article in WRRO
- Weighted transfer learning for improving motor imagery-based brain-computer interface. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering. View this article in WRRO
- Spatio-temporal Gaussian Process Models for Extended and Group Object Tracking with Irregular Shapes. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 68(3), 2137-2151. View this article in WRRO
- A P300-Based Brain-Computer Interface for Improving Attention. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12. View this article in WRRO
- Prefrontal Modulation of Visual Processing and Sustained Attention in Aging, a Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation–Electroencephalogram Coregistration Approach. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 30(11), 1630-1645. View this article in WRRO
- Facilitating motor imagery-based brain–computer interface for stroke patients using passive movement. Neural Computing and Applications, 28(11), 3259-3272. View this article in WRRO
- Familiarity Affects Entrainment of EEG in Music Listening. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 11. View this article in WRRO
- Domain-specific and domain-general processes underlying metacognitive judgments. Consciousness and Cognition, 49, 264-277. View this article in WRRO
- Multimodal validation of facial expression detection software for real-time monitoring of affect in patients with suicidal intent. European Psychiatry, 33(S1), S596-S596.
- Mutual information-based optimization of sparse spatio-spectral filters in brain–computer interface. Neural Computing and Applications, 25(3-4), 625-634.
- EEG Data Space Adaptation to Reduce Intersession Nonstationarity in Brain-Computer Interface. Neural Computation, 25(8), 2146-2171.
- Optimizing Spatial Filters by Minimizing Within-Class Dissimilarities in Electroencephalogram-Based Brain–Computer Interface. IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems, 24(4), 610-619.
- Study of Job Status and Education of Women in Iran. International Journal of Basic and Applied Science, 1(2), 204-210.
- Optimizing the Channel Selection and Classification Accuracy in EEG-Based BCI. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 58(6), 1865-1873.
- Identification of Ionic Conductances in a Reentry Model of Ventricular Myocardium Cells. Journal of Applied Sciences, 9(3), 555-560.
- Machine Learning and Signal Processing for Neurotechnologies and Brain-Computer Interactions Out of the Lab. Front. Neuroergonomics - Neurotechnology and Systems Neuroergonomics.
- A Transfer Learning Approach for UAV Path Design with Connectivity Outage Constraint. IEEE Internet of Things Journal.
- Exploring the Ability of Stroke Survivors in Using the Contralesional Hemisphere to Control a Brain-computer Interface. Scientific Reports.
- Impaired Metacognition and Reduced Neural Signals of Decision Confidence in Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury. American Psychological Association.
- Distinct neural markers for intentional and unintentional task unrelated thought.
- Predicting intentional and unintentional task unrelated thought with EEG.
- View this article in WRRO Efficacy of brain-computer interface and the impact of its design characteristics on post-stroke upper-limb rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience.
- #EEGManyLabs: Investigating the Replicability of Influential EEG Experiments. Cortex.
- A multimodal neuroprosthetic interface to record, modulate and classify electrophysiological correlates of cognitive function.
Chapters
- Signal Processing and Machine Learning for Brain-Machine Interfaces Preface, SIGNAL PROCESSING AND MACHINE LEARNING FOR BRAIN-MACHINE INTERFACES (pp. XIII-XIV).
- A review on transfer learning approaches in brain–computer interface, Signal Processing and Machine Learning for Brain-Machine Interfaces (pp. 81-101). Institution of Engineering and Technology View this article in WRRO
- Brain–computer interfaces and electroencephalogram: basics and practical issues, Signal Processing and Machine Learning for Brain-Machine Interfaces (pp. 1-21). Institution of Engineering and Technology
Conference proceedings papers
- Predicting Outcomes of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression Using Data Driven Approaches. 2023 Asia Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA ASC), 31 October 2023 - 3 November 2023.
- Automated Movement Detection with Dirichlet Process Mixture Models and Electromyography.. FUSION (pp 1-8)
- Using Resting State Heart Rate Variability and Skin Conductance Response to Detect Depression in Adults. 2020 42nd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC), 20 July 2020 - 24 July 2020.
- A Dirichlet Process Mixture Model for Autonomous Sleep Apnea Detection using Oxygen Saturation Data. PROCEEDINGS OF 2020 23RD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INFORMATION FUSION (FUSION 2020) (pp 622-629)
- A novel three dimensional probability-based classifier for improving motor imagery-based BCI. ICASSP 2019 - 2019 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing (ICASSP) (pp 1150-1153). Brighton, UK, 12 May 2019 - 17 May 2019. View this article in WRRO
- A Subject-to-Subject Transfer Learning Framework based on Jensen-Shannon divergence for Improving Brain-computer Interface. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing (ICASSP) (pp 3087-3091), 12 May 2019 - 17 May 2019. View this article in WRRO
- Examining Temporal Variations in Recognizing Unspoken Words using EEG Signals. 2018 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics (SMC), 7 October 2018 - 10 October 2018. View this article in WRRO
- Weighted multi-task learning in classification domain for improving brain-computer interface. 2018 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics (SMC) (pp 1093-1098), 7 October 2018 - 10 October 2018. View this article in WRRO
- Robust Common Spatial Patterns Estimation Using Dynamic Time Warping to Improve BCI Systems. ICASSP 2019 - 2019 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing (ICASSP), 12 May 2019 - 17 May 2019. View this article in WRRO
- Data space adaptation for multiclass motor imagery-based BCI. 2018 40th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) (pp 2004-2007), 18 July 2018 - 21 July 2018. View this article in WRRO
- Single-Trial EEG Classification Of Similar Errors. 2018 40th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) (pp 1919-1922), 17 July 2018 - 21 July 2018. View this article in WRRO
- Discriminating between Imagined Speech and Non-Speech Tasks using EEG. 2018 40th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) (pp 1952-1955), 18 July 2018 - 21 July 2018. View this article in WRRO
- A Gaussian Process Convolution Particle Filter for Multiple Extended Objects Tracking with Non-Regular Shapes. (To be published) 2018 21st International Conference on Information Fusion (FUSION) (FUSION 2018) (pp 1-8). UK, 10 July 2018 - 13 July 2018. View this article in WRRO
- A Gaussian Process Convolution Particle Filter for Multiple Extended Objects Tracking with Non-Regular Shapes. 2018 21ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INFORMATION FUSION (FUSION) (pp 275-282)
- A Gaussian Process Approach for Extended Object Tracking with Random Shapes and for Dealing with Intractable Likelihoods. Proceedings from the International Conference on Digital Signal Processing View this article in WRRO
- Estimation of joint angle based on surface electromyogram signals recorded at different load levels. 2017 39th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 11 July 2017 - 15 July 2017. View this article in WRRO
- Classification of familiarity based on cross-correlation features between EEG and music. 2017 39th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 11 July 2017 - 15 July 2017. View this article in WRRO
- Facial expression classification using EEG and gyroscope signals. 2017 39th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 11 July 2017 - 15 July 2017. View this article in WRRO
- Brain-computer interface technology for speech recognition: A review. 2016 Asia-Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA), 13 December 2016 - 16 December 2016.
- Predicting risk of suicide using resting state heart rate. 2016 Asia-Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA), 13 December 2016 - 16 December 2016.
- Entropy-based EEG time interval selection for improving motor imagery classification. 2016 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics (SMC), 9 October 2016 - 12 October 2016. View this article in WRRO
- Filter bank common spatial patterns in mental workload estimation. 2015 37th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 25 August 2015 - 29 August 2015. View this article in WRRO
- Effects of feedback latency on P300-based brain-computer interface. 2015 37th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 25 August 2015 - 29 August 2015. View this article in WRRO
- Effects of feedback latency on P300-based brain-computer interface.. EMBC (pp 2315-2318)
- Subject-to-subject adaptation to reduce calibration time in motor imagery-based brain-computer interface. 2014 36th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 26 August 2014 - 30 August 2014. View this article in WRRO
- Audio signal analysis in combination with noncontact bio-motion data to successfully monitor snoring. 2014 36th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 26 August 2014 - 30 August 2014. View this article in WRRO
- Omitting the intra-session calibration in EEG-based brain computer interface used for stroke rehabilitation. Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBS (pp 4124-4127)
- Multi-frequency band common spatial pattern with sparse optimization in Brain-Computer Interface. 2012 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing (ICASSP), 25 March 2012 - 30 March 2012.
- Robust EEG channel selection across sessions in brain-computer interface involving stroke patients. The 2012 International Joint Conference on Neural Networks (IJCNN), 10 June 2012 - 15 June 2012.
- Omitting the intra-session calibration in EEG-based brain computer interface used for stroke rehabilitation. 2012 Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 28 August 2012 - 1 September 2012.
- Spatially sparsed Common Spatial Pattern to improve BCI performance. 2011 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing (ICASSP), 22 May 2011 - 27 May 2011.
- EEG channel selection using decision tree in brain-computer interface. APSIPA ASC 2010 - Asia-Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference (pp 225-230)
- Optimizing EEG Channel Selection by Regularized Spatial Filtering and Multi Band Signal Decomposition. Mechatronic Systems and Control, Vol. 7(7)
- Prediction of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation by dynamic modeling of the PR interval of ECG. 2009 International Conference on Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, 2 December 2009 - 4 December 2009.
- View this article in WRRO Analysing and modelling human trust to a navigation robot. 2023 IEEE International Conference on Metrology for Extended Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Neural Engineering (MetroXRAINE) Proceedings. Milano, Italy, 25 October 2023 - 25 October 2023.
- Improving Common Spatial Patterns in Brain-computer Interface using Dynamic Time Warping and EEG Normalization. IEEE
- View this article in WRRO Automated Movement Detection with Dirichlet Process Mixture Models and Electromyography. Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Fusion, 4 July 2022 - 7 July 2022.
- Electrophysiological Correlates of Response Time in a Vigilant Attention Task. 2022 44th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC). Glasgow, 11 July 2022 - 15 July 2022.
- View this article in WRRO Neurophysiological correlates of mind-wandering, towards a predictive BCI-based Neurofeedback. International BCI Meeting 2016, 30 May 2016 - 3 June 2016.
- View this article in WRRO A Dirichlet Process Mixture Model for Autonomous Sleep Apnea Detection using Oxygen Saturation Data. Proceedings of the International Conference of Information Fusion
- Improving EEG-based error detection using relative peak features. Improving EEG-based error detection using relative peak features
- View this article in WRRO Four-Way Classification of EEG Responses To Virtual Robot Navigation. Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology - Proceedings
- View this article in WRRO Weighted Transfer Learning of Dynamic Time Warped Data for Motor Imagery based Brain Computer Interfaces. 42nd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 20 July 2020 - 24 July 2020.
- View this article in WRRO Quantifying the Maladaptive Neurophysiological Correlates Leading to Lapses of Attention During the SART: Towards Real-Time Mental State Monitoring of Mind-Wandering. Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual Conference
- View this article in WRRO Improving Memory Performance Using a Wearable BCI. Papers from the Sixth International Brain-Computer Interface Meeting, 30 May 2016 - 3 June 2016.
- Comparing the Performance of Contralesional and Ipsilesional brain-computer interface in stroke survivors. Frontiers of Neuroergonomics.
Preprints
- Automated Movement Detection with Dirichlet Process Mixture Models and Electromyography, arXiv.
- A Transfer Learning Approach for UAV Path Design with Connectivity Outage Constraint, arXiv.
- Effects of Feedback Latency on P300-based Brain-computer Interface, arXiv.
- Filter Bank Common Spatial Patterns in Mental Workload Estimation, arXiv.
- #EEGManyLabs: Investigating the Replicability of Influential EEG Experiments, Center for Open Science.
- Grants
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Current Grants
- ElectroTools, RCUK, 07/2023 - 06/2024, £189,978, as PI
- Feasibility study for a single blind randomised control trial on effect of exo-skeleton assisted walking on cardiovascular fitness of persons with gait problems due to multiple sclerosis, MS Society, 05/2022 - 05/2024, £11,277, as PI.
- Transfer Learning for Processing Different Neurological Conditions, Daiwa Foundation, 12/2019 - 07/2024, £8,000, as PI.
- Defence And Security Accelerator - SUPER: Systemic User Performance Enhancement in Real-time, 10/2023 - 02/2025, £204,443 as Co-I
- Innovate UK iCURE-Explore - Accelerating upper limb stroke rehabilitation from home through the power of the brain, 10/2023 - 01/2024, £35,000 as PI
- HALEON UK - Provision of novel methods for accurate quantification of responses to thermal stimuli in patients with dental sensitivity, 08/2023 - 08/2025, £103,685 as Co-I
Previous Grants
- TeleRegain II: Accelerating upper limb stroke rehabilitation from home through the power of the brain, UKRI, 10/2023 - 01/2024, £35,000, as PI
- MindD4AccelCare - Multimodal Intelligent Neural Decoder for Accessible and empowering mental healthcare, RCUK, 10/2022 - 11/2023, £26,819, as PI.
- TeleRegain - The Next Level, Research England, 03/2023 - 07/2023, £9,625, as PI
- Co-design of an Inclusive Upper Limb Telerehabilitation system using Brain-controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation, Research England, 03/2022 - 07/2022, £4,800, as PI.
- TeleBCI-FES: Upper Limb Telerehabilitation using Brain-controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation, MRC, 07/2021 - 11/2022, £70,560, as PI.
- Neurophysiological Biomarkers for Comparative Diagnosis and Prognosis across Neurodegenerative Diseases, Royal Society, 03/2019 - 02/2023, £11,990, as PI.
- Teaching activities
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Current
- BIE3411 Design of Biomedical Devices and Implants
- ACS321 Digital Signal Processing
Past
- MAT3411- Design of Biomedical Devices and Implants (Spring 2016)
- Bioengineering degree Board of Studies (ACSE representative)
- Bioengineering degree, theme leader: Medical Devices and Systems
- Program coordinator of BEng and MEng in Biomedical Engineering, University College Dublin, 2013
- EEEN30160- Biomedical Signals & Images, University College Dublin, 2013 and 2014
- EEEN40350- Rehabilitation Engineering (joint module leader), University College Dublin, 2013 and 2014