Enrique Germany Morrison

Enrique Germany Morrison

Biomedical Engineer | Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering

Personal Information

Full Name: Enrique Ignacio Germany Morrison

Nationality: Chilean

Email: egermanym@gmail.com, enrique.germany@uclouvain.be, egermany@udec.cl

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Profile

I am a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at UCLouvain, with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and a background spanning academic research and industrial R&D. My research brings together biomedical instrumentation, advanced signal processing, and neural engineering, with a focus on developing closed-loop biomedical systems. I combine hardware and software expertise with physiological data analysis and machine learning to develop technologies for biomedical monitoring and electrical stimulation. My experience spans myoelectric prosthetics, wearable movement tracking, and vagus nerve stimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy. A central goal of my research is to translate physiological measurements into information that can guide adaptive biomedical interventions.

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Short Bio

Dr. Enrique Germany Morrison is a biomedical engineer and academic at UCLouvain’s Louvain School of Engineering (EPL), which he joined in 2026. Based in the ELEN Department and affiliated with the ICTEAM Institute, his research brings together biomedical signal acquisition, advanced signal processing, and neural engineering, with a particular focus on developing closed-loop biomedical systems.

He trained at the Universidad de Concepción in Chile, earning a B.Sc. in Engineering Sciences, the professional title of Biomedical Engineer, and an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. His doctoral research, completed in 2020, focused on biomedical signal acquisition systems, with contributions to myoelectric prosthetics and biomedical instrumentation. This work established a strong foundation in both hardware and software development.

During his first postdoctoral appointment at the Universidad de Concepción, Chile (2020–2022), he worked on a Bluetooth Low Energy mesh network of inertial sensors for human movement tracking, with applications in rehabilitation and occupational musculoskeletal risk assessment. His involvement in the university’s Center for Industry 4.0 also connected academic research with industrial sensing applications and technological transfer within R&D projects. From 2022 to 2026, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Epilepsy and Neuromodulation Lab at UCLouvain’s Institute of Neuroscience in Brussels, Belgium. There, he investigated drug-resistant epilepsy and neurostimulation, with a particular interest in vagus nerve stimulation.

His current research draws on this experience to connect physiological measurements, signal interpretation and the development of adaptive biomedical technologies.

Education

  • [2015-2020] [Ph.D.] Electrical Engineering, Universidad de Concepción, Chile (Graduation Date: May 2020)
  • [2013-2015] [M.Sc.] Electrical Engineering, Universidad de Concepción, Chile (Graduation Date: August 2015)
  • [2008-2014] [Professional Title] Biomedical Engineer, Universidad de Concepción, Chile (Graduation Date: March 2014, Graduated with Honors)
  • [2008-2012] [B.Sc.] Engineering Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Chile (Graduation Date: March 2012)

Experience

  • [2026-Present] Assistant Professor at Louvain School of Engineering (EPL), UCLouvain. Information and Communication Technologies, Electronics, and Applied Mathematics Institute (ICTEAM), Electrical Engineering department (ELEN).
  • [2022-2026] Postdoctoral Position at UCLouvain, Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS), Epilepsy & Neurostmulation Lab. Promotor: Pr. Riëm El Tahry. Co-promotor: Antoine Nonclercq. Involved Research 1)Characterization of Vagus Nerve Electroneurogram for Seizure detection in rat model. 2)Electrophysiological analyses of EEG functional connectivity for VNS therapy optimization and early response and efficacy prediction. Bursary in international mobility criteria from 01/10/2022 until 30/9/2025.
  • [2020-2022] Postdoctoral Position at Universidad de Concepción on FONDEF ID20I10297 Research Project “Technological System for assessment and evaluation of ergonomic risks associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)”. Task involved System conceptualization and design. Electronics design and manufacturing. Data acquisition and analysis.
  • [2021-2022] Circuit Design and firmware development of electrical stimulator on project ANID COVID0925. International collaboration with Oxford University, UK.
  • [2019-2022] Electronics Design and development leading engineer on Center for Industry 4.0 (C4i), Universidad de Concepción. Research center to expand local capabilities on advanced manufacturing techniques involving additive manufacturing and electronic Ciber-Physical systems.
  • [2019-2022] Biomedical Engineer at University spin-off company “Neurotech spa”. Electronic circuit design, PCB layout manufacturing and firmware programming of SmartFES 2.0 drop-foot functional electrical stimulator. Task includes battery saving for extending operational time, Bluetooth Low Energy communication capabilities, robust trigger sensibility, pulse modulation for enhanced stimulation.
  • [2017-2018] Leading Biomedical Engineer (M.Sc) on “Smartgrip 17PRAE-76038” Corfo project. Development of smart exchangeable manipulators/grippers for myoelectric hand prostheses
  • [2016-2022] Part-Time lecturer “Electronics Embedded Systems Laboratory” at Universidad de Concepción. Course for Biomedical Engineering undergraduate students. Conceptualization, Design, Implementation and firmware programming for embedded systems.
  • [2016-2017] Leading Biomedical Engineer (M.Sc) on “FONDEF VIU 2015 – Myoelectric controlled robotic manipulator for prosthetic device”. Research and development of upper limb hand prostheses controlled by forearm electromyography (EMG) signals and closed loop touch feedback using electrical stimulation.
  • [2013-2015] Hardware and Software development engineer on “SIEL - FONDEF IDEA CA12I10372”. Development of computer aided software to enhance learning capabilities on babies. Usage of touch, interactive videos and 3D depth cameras to track babies response, engagement and interactions for reinforcement learning approaches. Validation of data using EEG data.

Start-Ups | Entrepreneurship

  • Smartgrip spa. Founding Member and CEO of Smartgrip spa start-up company. An innovative startup founded in 2017 from the Biobío region, Chile. Developed within the Incuba UdeC Business Incubator, has successfully secured a crucial Corfo PRAE Biobío grant, positioning it to foster the development of local technology aimed at significantly improving the quality of life for individuals with upper limb amputations. This venture focuses on developing smart hand prosthetics for transradial amputees, leveraging technological transfer and know-how from academic setting to health-based start-up company, allowing users intuitive control over various manipulators via signals from their own residual muscles. Notably, the main developed prototype features an anatomically accurate, five-fingered hand with independent finger movement, enabling the execution of a diverse and sophisticated range of grip patterns.

Skills

  • Grant Proposal Writing: Proven ability to develop, write, and submit competitive proposals for large-scale research grants.
  • Innovation and Seed Funds: Experienced in preparing documentation, valorization and financial projections for applications to innovation and seed funding programs.
  • FELASA B Certificate - November 2022: use of animals for scientific purposes in compliance with the regulations declared in Directive 2010/63/EU and the Belgian Royal Decree of 29 May 2013.
  • Advanced Computer and Programming skills. Programming Languages include C, C++, C#, Python, MATLAB, Verilog HDL, Java, and Arduino. Knowledge and Experience in mobile APPs Programming: Android (Java) & iOS (Swift). Web front-end and back-end, HTML, PHP, JS, XML and CSS.
  • Electronics Circuit Design and Simulation: Eagle, Autodesk Fusion 360, Multisim.
  • Electronics manufacturing techniques knowledge.
  • Software and Hardware design for embedded systems with analog and digital signals acquisition and processing capabilities.
  • Spoken and Written English: Level B2 according to CEFR.
  • French: Level A2/B1.
  • German Language Courses: A.1.1, A.1.2, A.2.1 at Goethe Institut, Concepción, Chile.
  • Anatomy knowledge, Biopotentials and physiological signals acquisition and processing experience.

Publications

  • 2026
    • "Deciphering Autonomic Dysregulation In Epilepsy Through Vagus Nerve Activity Highlights Context Methods",Proceedings of Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), 2026 Jul 06-10, Barcelona, Spain. .
    • "Effect of epileptogenesis on hypercapnic cardioventilatory response in kainic acid rats", Epilepsia, 2026 May 11. https://doi.org/10.1002/epi.70284.
    • "Seizure-Type–Specific Disruption of Hypercapnic Cardioventilatory Responses in Epilepsy Models", Epilepsia, 2026 Feb 17. https://doi.org/10.1002/epi.70123.
    • "Characterization of Vagus Nerve Active Fibers during Seizure in Rats", Journal of Neural Engineering, 2026 Jan 06; 23 016002. https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/ae30aa.
  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
    • "Exploring Silicone Rubber Skin with Embedded Customizable Shape Capacitive Sensors to Enable Haptic Capabilities on Upper Limb Prosthetics," 44th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC), 2022 Jul 11 (pp. 4241-4244), IEEE, Glasgow, Scotland. https://doi.org/10.1109/EMBC48229.2022.9871761.
    • “Non‐invasive phrenic nerve stimulation to avoid ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction in critical care”, Artificial Organs, 2022 Oct;46(10):1988-97. https://doi.org/10.1111/aor.14244.
    • "PO251/# 854 Noninvasive Closed Loop Diaphragm Stimulation for Ventilated Icu Patients: E-Poster Viewing". Neuromodulation. 2022 Oct 01;25(7):S353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurom.2022.08.423.
    • “Closed-Loop Parameter Optimisation For Patient-Specific Phrenic Nerve Stimulation”, 25th Annual Conference of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society (IFESS), 2022 Sept 25-29, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
  • 2021
    • “Non-Invasive Phrenic Nerve Stimulation To Avoid Ventilator Induced Diaphragm Deconditioning In Critical Care: Parameter Optimisation”, 24th Annual Conference of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society (IFESS) & RehabWeek Virtual '21, 2021 Sept 23-25, Rovinj, Croatia.
    • “Non-Invasive Phrenic Nerve Stimulation To Avoid Ventilator Induced Diaphragm Deconditioning In Critical Care: System Design And Feasibility”, 24th Annual Conference of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society (IFESS) & RehabWeek Virtual '21, 2021 Sept 23-25, Rovinj, Croatia.
  • 2020
    • “Gait Segmentation Method Using a Plantar Pressure Measurement System with Custom-Made Capacitive Sensors”, Sensors, 2020 Jan 24;20(3):656. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20030656.
    • “Simple Wireless Impedance Pneumography System for Unobtrusive Sensing of Respiration”, Sensors, 2020 Sep 14;20(18):5228. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20185228.
  • 2019
    • "Simple Gait Segmentation Method Using a Novel Plantar Pressure Measurement System with Custom-Made Capacitive Sensors: Preliminary Results", IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC), 2019 Oct 17 (pp. 1-4), IEEE, Seattle, USA. https://doi.org/10.1109/GHTC46095.2019.9033015.
  • 2017
    • "Prótesis de miembro superior mediante impresión 3D con actuadores intercambiables para maximizar la destreza de manipulación.", IBERDISCAP 2017, Bogotá, Colombia.
    • "Prosthetic Hand Wrist Connector Reliability Enhancement by Strongly Coupled Wireless Energy Transfer", 39th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2017 Jul 11-15, Jeju, Korea.
    • "Neural Network Algorithm to Detect the Gait Phases and Trigger a Drop Foot Stimulator Using Inertial Sensors", IFESS Conference (RehabWeek 2017), London, UK.
    • "A Neural Network Algorithm for Detection of Heel Strike and Heel Off Events Using Inertial Sensors to Trigger a Drop Foot Stimulator", 39th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2017 Jul 11-15, Jeju, Korea.
    • “After Stroke Movement Impairments: A Review of Current Technologies for Rehabilitation”, Physical Disabilities Uner Tan, IntechOpen, 2017 Jun 14. https://doi.org/10.5772/67577.
  • 2016
    • "Myoelectric intuitive control and transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the forearm for vibrotactile sensation feedback applied to a 3D printed prosthetic hand", 38th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2016 Aug 16 (pp. 5046-5050), IEEE, Orlando, USA. https://doi.org/10.1109/EMBC.2016.7591861.
  • 2015
    • "Prótesis Mioeléctrica de Mano con Retroalimentación Táctil Mediante Estimulación Eléctrica Transcutánea", IBERDISCAP 2015, Punta Arenas, Chile.
    • "Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation in Forearm Nerves for Tactile Feedback in Prosthetics Usage.", 37th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2015 Aug 25-29, Milan, Italy.
    • "Semiautomatic Analysis of Images for Preventive Evaluation of Foot Condition on Infants through Biometric Proportion Index", 37th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2015 Aug 25-29 Milan, Italy.
  • 2014
    • "Algorithm for a Continuous Estimate of Individual Finger Positions Using Surface Electromyography in the Forearm.", 36th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2014 Aug 26-30, Chicago, USA.
  • 2013
    • "Algorithm to detect and decode a continuous estimate of the position (flexion-extension) of the fingers, using surface electromyography in the forearm.", IXth Latin American Summer School EVIC2013 of the Chilean Chapter of the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society, 2013 Nov 25-26, Temuco, Chile.

Teaching & Courses

  • Health Innovation Classes (LEPL2022). Academic year 2026-2027, Louvain-la-Neuve. -More Information-.
  • Bioinstrumentation (LGBIO2020). Academic year 2026-2027, Louvain-la-Neuve. -More Information-.

Academic Mentorship & Examination

  • Student: Paloma Cárcamo Cerca. Institution: Universidad de Concepción. Thesis Title: Biomarcadores predictivos de la eficacia de la estimulación del nervio vago en epilepsia refractaria mediante el análisis longitudinal de conectividad funcional en electroencefalograma. Program: Magíster en Ciencias de la Ingeniería con mención en Ingeniería Eléctrica. Academic Year: Academic year 2026. Role: Thesis Co-supervisor.
  • Student: Antoine Collard. Institution: Université Libre de Bruxelles. Thesis Title: Development and Validation of a Photoplethysmography-Based System for Heart and Respiratory Rate Monitoring in Freely Moving Rodents. Program: Master [120] in Biomedical Engineering. Academic Year: Academic year 2025–2026. Role: Thesis Co-supervisor.
  • Student: Floriane Lebras. Institution: Université catholique de Louvain. Thesis Title: Estimation of seizure onset zone from ictal EEG using independent component analysis and source imaging: inspection of the effects of different ICA algorithms. Program: Master [120] in Mathematical Engineering. Academic Year: Academic year 2025–2026. Role: Thesis Co-supervisor.
  • Student: Marion De Kerckhove. Institution: Université catholique de Louvain. Thesis Title: EEG response to hyperventilation as a biomarker of clinical response and longitudinal changes in brain functional connectivity induced by vagus nerve stimulation. Program: Master [120] in Biomedical Engineering. Academic Year: Academic year 2025–2026. Role: Thesis Reader/Reviewer.
  • Student: Alexandre Nicolas. Institution: Université catholique de Louvain. Thesis Title: Dynamic Evolution of EEG Synchronization for Epileptic Seizure Prediction. Program: Master [120] in Mathematical Engineering. Academic Year: Academic year 2024–2025. Role: Thesis Reader/Reviewer.

Memberships

  • American Epilepsy Society (AES) International Member (Sept 2025 - December 2026)
  • Associate Member of the Institute of Physics (IoP) (May 2025 - December 2026)
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) – 14 years (01 Jan 2013 to 31 Dec 2026)
  • IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) – 14 years (01 Jan 2013 to 31 Dec 2026)
  • IEEE Industry Applications Society since – 13 years (01 Jan 2014 to 31 Dec 2026)
  • IEEE Young Professionals Membership – 13 years (01 Jan 2014 to 31 Dec 2026)
  • IEEE Communications Society Membership – 1 Year (01 Jan 2013 to 31 Dec 2013)

Awards & Recognitions

  • Universidad de Concepción Award – The Universidad de Concepción Award is the highest academic award that the university grants to undergraduate students and is awarded annually in each degree program to the person who has graduated the immediately preceding academic year and obtained the highest weighted average of grades among the graduates.
  • Faculty of Engineering Award – The Faculty of Engineering Award recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement. This award is granted to those who have successfully navigated their entire course of study, maintaining an exemplary record by passing all subjects and graduating within the stipulated timeframe.
  • First Place and Best Poster Award in the IX Latin American Summer School on Computational Intelligence, Temuco, Chile, (November 25 and 26), 2013, with the work entitled “Algorithm to detect and decode a continuous estimate of the position (flexion-extension) of the fingers, using surface electromyography in the forearm”.
  • Second Place Biomedical Projects Contest, Work: "Continuous Position Estimation Model for Each Finger of the Hand Independently Using Superficial Electromyography Signals", November 22, 2013.

Funding & Academic Grants

  • Entrepreneur and “Smartgrip” Project Leader in a Project supported by Corfo's Regional Entrepreneurship Support Program (PRAE), Project ID: 17PRAE-76038. August 2017, Chile. Funding amount: CLP 33.000.000 (approx. €34.400) for 1 year.
  • Project Manager in FONDEF VIU project. “Robotic Manipulator for Myoelectric Prostheses.” October 2016 – September 2017. Project ID: VIU15P0031 (Stage I) & VIU15E0031 (Stage II). Funding amount: CLP 2.000.000 + CLP 24.000.000 (approx. €26.870) for 1 year.
  • CONICYT National Doctoral Scholarship - Academic year 2015. Grant amount: CLP 6.921.600/year (approx. €6.473/year), renewable for up to 4 years; maximum total CLP 27.686.400 (approx. €25.894). Additionally it covers directly to the institution the Annual tuition/enrolment costs.
  • CONICYT National Master’s Scholarship - Academic year 2013 (Complementary call). Grant amount: CLP 5.883.360/year (approx. €5.502/year), renewable for up to 2 years; maximum total CLP 11.766.720 (approx. €11.004). Additionally it covers directly to the institution the Annual tuition/enrolment costs.

Press

Seminars & Conferences

  • 9th IC-3Rs Symposium, September 18, 2026, VUB Health Campus Jette - Brussels, Belgium.
  • Understanding Animal Research Webinar: Writing Non-Technical Summaries and Retrospective Assessments, April 30, 2026, Brussels, Belgium.
  • American Epilepsy Society (AES) 2025 Annual Meeting, December 5-10, 2025, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
  • Anaesthesia and analgesia in laboratory rodents, Symposium & formation Course by Charles River, October 15, 2025, Brussels, Belgium.
  • Brains United 600 Years, Joint meeting of the KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI) and the UCLouvain Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS), September 9-10, 2025, Leuven/Brussels, Belgium.
  • 47th Annual IEEE EMBS International Conference (EMBC), July 14–17, 2025, Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • 6th International Brain Stimulation Conference, February 23-26, 2025, Kobe, Japan.
  • American Epilepsy Society (AES) 2024 Annual Meeting, December 6-10, 2024, Los Angeles, California, USA.
  • UCLouvain LDRI Seminar "Ethics Commission on Experimentation: Evaluation of projects and communication to the public via non-technical summaries and retrospective analyses", June 26, 2024, Brussels, Belgium.
  • American Epilepsy Society (AES) 2023 Annual Meeting, December 1-5, 2023, Orlando, Florida, USA.
  • Joint 3R Symposium 2023 "Emerging fields in 3Rs", September 19-21, 2023, VUB Health Campus - Brussels, Belgium.
  • 35th International Epilepsy Congress, September 2-6, 2023, Dublin, Ireland.
  • 44th Annual IEEE EMBS International Conference (EMBC), July 11–15, 2022, Glasgow, Scotland.
  • 40th Annual IEEE EMBS International Conference (EMBC), July 17–21, 2018, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
  • IBERDISCAP international conference – AITADIS Foundation, November 22–24, 2017, Bogotá, Colombia.
  • Leaders in Innovation Fellowships Programme, 2-week intensive course organized by the Royal Academy of Engineering of the United Kingdom (UK), October 16–28, 2017, London, England.
  • Organization of the student paper contest at the 10th Annual Congress of Biomedical Engineering, October 23–26, 2017, University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • 21st Annual IFESS Conference at the RehabWeek, July 17–20, 2017, London, United Kingdom.
  • 39th Annual IEEE EMBS International Conference (EMBC), July 11–15, 2017, Jeju, South Korea.
  • IX Annual Congress of Biomedical Engineering, October 21-22, 2016, University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • 38th Annual IEEE EMBS International Conference (EMBC), August 17–20, 2016, Orlando, Florida, USA.
  • Leaders in Innovation Fellowships Programme, 2-week intensive course organized by the Royal Academy of Engineering of the United Kingdom (UK), November 28 – December 13, 2015, London, England.
  • VIII Ibero-American Congress of Disability Support Technologies – “IBERDISCAP 2015”, AITADIS Foundation, November 9-12, 2015, Punta Arenas, Chile.
  • VIII Annual Congress of Biomedical Engineering, October 15-16, 2015, University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • 37th Annual IEEE EMBS International Conference (EMBC), August 25–29, 2015, Milan, Italy.
  • VII Biomedical Engineering Seminar "International Student Conference Chile 2014", November 3-4, 2014, University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • Seminar: "Alternative Communication Tools”, Thinc Technologies & Inclusive Tools, October 25, 2014, Viña del Mar, Chile.
  • 36th Annual IEEE EMBS International Conference (EMBC), August 26–30, 2014, Chicago, USA.
  • 4th Latin American School for Education, Cognitive and Neural Sciences, March 10-22, 2014, Punta del Este, Uruguay.
  • IX Latin American Summer School on Computational Intelligence EVIC, November 25-26, 2013, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
  • VI Biomedical Engineering Seminar, November 22, 2013, University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • 35th Annual IEEE EMBS International Conference (EMBC), July 3–7, 2013, Osaka, Japan.
  • V Biomedical Engineering Seminar, November 16, 2012, University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • Third Chilean Conference on Biomedical Engineering, September 26-28, 2012, University of Valparaíso, Chile.
  • IV Biomedical Engineering Seminar “Hospital Management and Innovation and Development”, November 30, 2011, University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • III Biomedical Engineering Seminar: “Clinical Engineering and Emerging Technologies”, September 9-11, 2010, University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • II Biomedical Engineering Seminar: “Hand in Hand Towards the Future”, November 9-10, 2009, University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.
  • I Biomedical Engineering Seminar: “Management in Hospital Resources and New Technologies”, November 21-22, 2008, University of Concepción, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Civil Engineering.