Rebecca Laher

What was your career leading up to the Laboratory?

I worked in the neurology department at Longwood Medical Center to provide transcranial magnetic stimulation and other neuromodulation techniques for patients with medication-resistant depression. I enjoyed working one-on-one with patients and learning about the various ways to map interconnectedness and functional states in the brain. This position sparked my passion for studying how to noninvasively deliver focused energy to targeted regions of the brain. I believe noninvasive brain stimulation is the future of many therapies, providing an alternative to the global effects certain medications have on the body and the risks posed by more invasive, surgical solutions.

When did you join the Laboratory, and what made you decide to pursue a career here?

I originally joined the Lab as an intern in 2019. I was then a student employee while pursuing my master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering at Boston University before starting full time as associate staff in early 2021. I was drawn to the Lab because of the large breadth of programs each group takes on and the many collaborations with top researchers, physicians, and professors within the Boston area and across the country.

What are examples of projects you work on here?

I've worked on a variety of programs, such as optimizing machine learning models for improved detection, tracking, and classification of data from infrared sensors and simulating acoustic signals through nonuniform materials. The program I am most passionate about is researching the effects of radio-frequency-generated ultrasound in the brain for imaging or neuromodulation. This program involves studying the mechanical and electrical properties of the skull, brain, and neurons. It challenges me to combine many different disciplines, including photoacoustics, neuroscience, signal processing, and computational simulation.

What are your favorite activities?

In my free time, I enjoy hiking in the White Mountains with my friends and climbing at a local rock-climbing gym. This summer, I am preparing for my first outdoor climb. My next goal is to learn how to lead climbs and place the anchors myself.