Anna Belhassen Revolutionizes Neurotechnology with Groundbreaking Research and Design Innovation
Anna Belhassen, a biomedical engineer and product designer, shares her groundbreaking contributions in neurotechnology, from brain-monitoring implants to adaptive sports technology.
United Kingdom, 13th Dec 2025 – Anna Belhassen is a biomedical engineer and product designer whose work sits at the cutting edge of neurotechnology, combining technical excellence with human-centered design. A graduate of Imperial College London’s Bioengineering MEng program, Anna has led pioneering projects aimed at making complex medical technologies more accessible and practical for everyday use. Her approach integrates rigorous engineering with a focus on improving the human experience, demonstrating how technology can solve critical healthcare and accessibility challenges.
Anna’s groundbreaking Master’s thesis, “Long-Term Neural Monitoring with Minimally Invasive Sub-Scalp EEG,” introduced a revolutionary concept for ultra-miniaturized brain monitoring implants. The research demonstrated how long-term, wireless neural recording could be achieved through millimeter-scale, NFC-powered sub-scalp devices. This innovation eliminates the need for bulky external hardware, offering a more comfortable and non-intrusive method of continuous neurological observation. The work has since been widely cited, influencing ongoing academic and industry developments in next-generation neural interfaces and solidifying Anna’s reputation as a leader in the field of neurotechnology.
The work has since been used as a foundation for ongoing academic and industry developments in next-generation neural interfaces and solidifying Anna’s reputation as a leader in the field of neurotechnology.
Empowering the Future of Brain-Computer Interfaces
In recognition of her expertise, Anna was invited to speak at Imperial College London, where she delivered two influential talks: the first, “Long-Term Neural Monitoring with Minimally Invasive Sub-Scalp EEG,” showcased the scientific advancements of her research; the second, “A Look into Neurotechnology in Consumer Devices,” explored how emerging neural interface technologies are shaping everyday products. Through these speaking engagements, Anna has contributed to shaping the future of brain-computer interfaces, offering insights on how neurotechnology can be integrated into consumer technology to enhance daily life.
Inclusive Design for a Fairer Future in Sports
While Anna is primarily known for her work in neurotechnology, she has also made significant strides in the field of adaptive sports design. Early in her career, she led a team of twelve engineers to design a piezoresistive pressure-sensing mat for wheelchair fencing in collaboration with the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS). The sensor mat, which was trialed at the 2022 Wheelchair Fencing World Cup in Pisa, Italy, and presented with World Abilitysport at the 2023 IPC IWAS Conference in Cairo, improved judging accuracy and accessibility in international sports, ensuring that all athletes could compete on a level playing field.
The project earned the Best Second-Year Project Award from Imperial College’s Department of Bioengineering, reflecting its innovation and the global relevance of inclusive design. Anna’s approach to designing the sensor mat illustrates her commitment to making technology not only functional but also deeply impactful, addressing real-world problems faced by people with disabilities.
Human-Centered Design: Merging Technology and Empathy
What truly sets Anna’s journey apart is her unique ability to blend biomedical engineering with product design precision, driven by a personal motivation to make technology more human. While many engineers focus either on the technical performance of devices or on user experience, Anna takes a cross-disciplinary approach. Her work integrates both, ensuring that the devices she designs are scientifically rigorous yet intuitive, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing.
Her work on the sub-scalp EEG implants embodies this philosophy. By reimagining EEG systems to be miniaturized, wireless, and non-intrusive, she challenged conventional brain-monitoring designs that rely on bulky, restrictive hardware. Her concept, which enables the direct recording of neural activity via a smartphone using NFC technology, demonstrates that complex medical technologies can be made portable and user-friendly, opening new doors for patients and healthcare providers alike.
Similarly, Anna’s sensor mat for wheelchair fencing is a testament to how inclusive design can reshape industries. By working directly with athletes and judges to ensure the mat met the specific needs of the sport, she created a product that not only enhanced fairness but also provided a more inclusive experience for all competitors.
Inspiration from a Personal Journey
Anna’s path into engineering and neurotechnology was shaped by her personal experiences. Inspired by her grandparents, who both lived with paralysis caused by Parkinson’s disease, Anna became fascinated by neurotechnology at an early age. At just 14, she designed and built a functional robotic arm, modeling, 3D-printing, wiring, and coding it herself. The project, which explored how bionic limbs could restore sensory feedback such as touch and proprioception, became a nationally recognized Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in the UK, marking the beginning of her journey into the world of neuroengineering.
This early exposure to hands-on engineering fostered a lifelong belief that the best innovations are born from a combination of technical expertise and empathy. Anna’s work today continues to reflect this principle, as she seeks to design technologies that not only advance scientific understanding but also improve the quality of life for individuals across the globe.
About Anna Belhassen
Anna Belhassen is a biomedical engineer and product designer whose work focuses on advancing neurotechnology, human-centered design, and accessibility. She is a graduate of Imperial College London’s Bioengineering MEng program and has contributed to several groundbreaking projects in the fields of brain-computer interfaces and assistive technologies. Anna is also the founder of the Imperial College Neurotechnology Society, the UK’s first student-led neurotech community, and has worked across industries, including luxury beauty and consumer technology. Her innovative designs aim to empower individuals and improve human performance through technology.
LinkedIn
Company Details
Organization: Anna Belhassen
Contact Person: Anna Belhassen
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-belhassen/
Email: Send Email
Country: United Kingdom
Release Id: 13122539008