Advanced Platform Technology Center
Andrew Shoffstall, PhD
 |
Research Interests Biomaterials, Neural Engineering, Neuroimaging |
Dr. Andrew Shoffstall serves as a Deputy Director for the APT Center and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University.
Dr. Shoffstall’s research program develops durable, clinically translatable neurotechnologies to restore function and improve quality of life for Veterans with neurological injury and disease. His work integrates biomaterials, neural engineering, and anatomical imaging to overcome key barriers limiting the long-term success of neural interfaces and neuromodulation therapies. Veterans experience a disproportionate burden of spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, peripheral nerve injury, and limb loss. While emerging neurotechnologies hold substantial promise, their clinical impact is often limited by biological responses to implanted devices and by challenges in achieving selective, stable peripheral nerve stimulation. Dr. Shoffstall’s program directly addresses these limitations. A major focus of his work is improving the longevity of intracortical neural interfaces by mitigating chronic neuroinflammation at the brain-device interface. Through VA-supported research, his team has identified inflammatory mechanisms that contribute to device failure and developed therapeutic strategies to improve device performance and durability. These advances support more reliable brain-machine interfaces for Veterans with paralysis or limb loss. In parallel, Dr. Shoffstall leads high-resolution anatomical mapping of autonomic and peripheral nerves to guide the design of safer, more selective neuromodulation therapies for conditions prevalent among Veterans, including PTSD, depression, chronic pain, and mobility impairment. He also contributes to minimally invasive neuromodulation approaches that reduce surgical burden and accelerate translation.
Dr. Shoffstall can be reached by email at andrew.shoffstall@case.edu.
Published Work: PubMed, Google Scholar
