Dr. Khodaparast has a Ph.D. in Neurophysiology that focused on using vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) to promote innate restorative brain plasticity and treat neurological disease. His research is considered foundational for the principle of target neuroplasticity training and has led to multiple VNS clinical trials for stroke rehabilitation. Dr. Khodaparast has over 10 years’ experience in translating neuromodulatory therapies to treat neurological and psychiatric disorders. He is a scientifically driven entrepreneur, has led clinical research at multiple early stage medical device companies involved in Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Cardiac Disease.

Over the past 5 years Dr. Khodaparast has been lead Principal Investigator for multiple successful NIH funded studies, his publications have received over 800 citations, and is an inventor of transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation. More recently, Dr. Khodaparast co-founded and serves as Chief Science Officer for Spark Biomedical, where he is responsible for overseeing Spark’s clinical initiatives, and works to advance the technology into new potential indications.