Dr. Rajanikant Panda | Neurology | Best Researcher Award
Postdoctoral researcher at University of California, San Francisco, United States
Rajanikant Panda is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He specializes in computational neuroscience, focusing on consciousness. He earned his PhD from the University of Liège, Belgium, and has published over 60 SCI-indexed journal articles, accumulating 1700+ citations with an H-index of 22. Rajanikant has extensive experience in multimodal neuroimaging and computational modeling, using tools like EEG, ECoG, fMRI, and PET to explore brain dynamics across various states of consciousness. He is passionate about applying AI and neuroimaging techniques to improve clinical outcomes for patients with neurological disorders.
Profile
Education
PhD in Medical Science (2017-2022): University of Liège, Belgium – Focused on computational and empirical modeling of altered states of consciousness. M.E. in Applied Electronics (2013-2015): Anna University, India – Conducted research on brain tumor functional network mapping. B.Tech in Biomedical Engineering (2006-2010): Biju Patnaik University of Technology, India – Thesis on EEG signal classification for epileptic seizure detection.
Experience
Postdoctoral Fellow, UCSF, USA (2023–Present): Studying brain dynamics in acute comatose patients. Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Liège, Belgium (2022-2023): Researched virtual reality hypnosis and chronic disorders of consciousness. Junior Scientific Officer, NIMHANS, India (2013-2017): Focused on brain connectivity in neurological patients using EEG-fMRI. Junior Research Fellow, NIMHANS, India (2011-2013): Developed simultaneous EEG-fMRI data acquisition protocols. Biomedical Engineer, Human Kariger Pvt. Ltd, India (2010-2011): Provided technical support for neurofeedback systems.
Awards and Honors
F.R.S.-FNRS Aspirant Grant for PhD research at University of Liège. DST Travel Grant to present research at an international conference, USA (2012). Guest Editor for journals like Brain Connectivity and Frontiers Psychology – Consciousness Research. Best Paper Awards at international conferences on neuroscience and consciousness.
Research Focus
Characterizing brain dynamics across consciousness spectrums (meditation, hypnosis, coma). Leveraging computational tools like brain connectivity, network theory, and information theory. Developing multimodal neuroimaging techniques (EEG, ECoG, fMRI, PET). Enhancing neurocritical care through AI-based diagnostics and therapeutic predictions. Investigating mechanisms underlying consciousness in disorders of consciousness and dying patients.
Conclusion
Dr. Panda’s unparalleled expertise, impactful contributions, and commitment to advancing neuroscience make him a deserving recipient of the Best Researcher Award. His work not only pushes the boundaries of scientific knowledge but also offers transformative clinical insights, underlining his significant impact on the field.
Publications 
- Classification of EEG signal using wavelet transform and support vector machine for epileptic seizure detection
- Year: 2010
- Authors: R Panda, PS Khobragade, PD Jambhule, SN Jengthe, PR Pal, TK Gandhi
- Preservation of brain activity in unresponsive patients identifies MCS star
- Year: 2021
- Authors: A Thibaut, R Panda, J Annen, LRD Sanz, L Naccache, C Martial, …
- Quantifying arousal and awareness in altered states of consciousness using interpretable deep learning
- Year: 2022
- Authors: M Lee, LRD Sanz, A Barra, A Wolff, JO Nieminen, M Boly, M Rosanova, …
- Decreased integration of EEG source-space networks in disorders of consciousness
- Year: 2019
- Authors: J Rizkallah, J Annen, J Modolo, O Gosseries, P Benquet, S Mortaheb, …
- Role of altered cerebello-thalamo-cortical network in the neurobiology of essential tremor
- Year: 2017
- Authors: A Lenka, KS Bhalsing, R Panda, K Jhunjhunwala, RM Naduthota, J Saini, …
- Temporal dynamics of the default mode network characterize meditation-induced alterations in consciousness
- Year: 2016
- Authors: R Panda, RD Bharath, N Upadhyay, S Mangalore, S Chennu, SL Rao
- Loss of consciousness reduces the stability of brain hubs and the heterogeneity of brain dynamics
- Year: 2021
- Authors: A López-González, R Panda, A Ponce-Alvarez, G Zamora-López, …
- Recovery of resting brain connectivity ensuing mild traumatic brain injury
- Year: 2015
- Authors: RD Bharath, A Munivenkatappa, S Gohel, R Panda, J Saini, J Rajeswaran, …
- Perturbations in dynamical models of whole-brain activity dissociate between the level and stability of consciousness
- Year: 2021
- Authors: Y Sanz Perl, C Pallavicini, I Pérez Ipiña, A Demertzi, V Bonhomme, …
- Machine learning detects EEG microstate alterations in patients living with temporal lobe epilepsy
- Year: 2018
- Authors: SS Rajagopalan, S Bhardwaj, R Panda, VR Reddam, C Ganne, …
Professional Profiles:
Awards & Honors