Mehrnaz Shoushtarian PhD

Dr. Mehrnaz Shoushtarian, PhD, is a Project Leader at Bionics Institute. She received her doctorate of philosophy from Monash University. She has worked in both research (Monash Health, Eastern Health) and industry (Cortical Dynamics, Hearing Cooperative Research Centre). Her research has focused on the measurement and processing of physiological signals using conventional and novel recording techniques and the use of research outcomes for the development and commercialization of medical devices. Her main focus at the Bionics Institute involves using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and other physiological measures, to develop objective measures of tinnitus.

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Mehrnaz also has an interest in peripheral sensory stimulation as a treatment for neurological conditions which are characterized by abnormal synchronous activity in the brain (e.g., tinnitus and Parkinson’s disease). She is working on recording brain activity in response to such peripheral stimulation, to better guide optimizing stimulation parameters.

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Mehrnaz has a great interest in processes needed for research translation. She is part of the Quality Committee at the Bionics Institute and helped implement ISO 9001 Quality Management System across the Institute. Bionics Institute is now the first Australian Medical Research Institute to receive this accreditation covering all operations and clarifying research commercialization pathways.

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Previously Mehrnaz was Principal Scientist at Cortical Dynamics Ltd, a start-up medical device company, where she was part of a small team that took a depth of anesthesia monitor prototype through to clinical trials and regulatory approval in Australia and Europe. She also co-led the establishment of ISO13485 (Quality Management Systems for Medical Devices) across the company.

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Mehrnaz volunteers with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and led the Victorian Section, as Section Chair, in 2020-2021. As part of her work with the IEEE, she mentors students and new IEEE Committee, volunteers. She is also a mentor for Year 11 students in the ‘Mentoring the Next Generation of Women in STEMM’ program at the Bionics Institute.