Neurotechnologist, writer, and cognitive science undergrad at UCLA.
I study how brains work, build brain-computer interfaces, and write about the ethics of the technologies reshaping what it means to be human. Previously accessibility consultant at Neuralink and product advisor at Cognixion. Currently studying cognitive science, writing a novel, and making video essays about the science of being human.
// background, context, the origin story
When I was fourteen, I shaved my head to test a brain-computer interface. The EEG headset didn't work on my hair texture. Nobody in the room had thought to check. I ended up spending the next four years working in the industry that produced that headset, trying to get the people building this stuff to think harder about who it's actually for.
I'm a freshman at UCLA studying Computational Cognitive Science with a minor in Data Science Engineering. I did most of my professional work before getting here: accessibility consulting at Neuralink, three years advising Cognixion on their BCI for people who can't speak or type, and running a neurotechnology education program through Neurovivid. I'm a Masason Foundation Fellow and Emergent Ventures Fellow.
Outside of school and work, I keep a diary that's past 100,000 words, I'm writing a fantasy novel, and I'm putting together video essays about perception, identity, and what technology does to both. I care a lot about storytelling. Most of what I do professionally involves taking something technical and making it make sense to someone with a completely different frame of reference.
| Education | BS Cognitive Science (Computing Specialization), Minor in Data Science Engineering · UCLA '29 |
| Recognition | Masason Foundation Fellow · Emergent Ventures Fellow · DataX Hackathon Winner · DECA International Top 10 |
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
| Interests | Perception & aphantasia · Philosophy of mind · Tech ethics · Storytelling · Why people think the way they do |
| Technical | Python · JavaScript · SQL · C++ · PyTorch · MATLAB · AWS · Figma · Arduino |
// the things i've built, advised, and shipped
Product Accessibility Consultant
Neuralink · Fremont, CA
Brought on after writing publicly about accessibility gaps in neural interfaces. Did user research with assistive technology users, identified issues with the N1 implant software and Link charging case, and presented redesign recommendations to the hardware and product teams. I was seventeen.
Cognixion · Santa Barbara, CA
Advised on the Axon-R, a noninvasive BCI communication device for people who can't speak or type. Ran quarterly UX reviews, gave feedback on EEG signal processing and AI classification, and helped shape go-to-market positioning against invasive alternatives.
Product Manager
Neurovivid · NSF Funded
Managed a hands-on BCI curriculum for 120+ neurodivergent students. Designed 12 project-based modules, built Python scripts and Arduino-based BCI prototypes for real-time EEG processing, and wrote documentation so non-technical educators could run the program without engineering support.
// things i've built, researched, and questioned
Neurotechnology
Somni
An EEG + ML system designed to classify sleep stages and improve REM quality. Placed top 10 at DECA International out of 150,000+ competitors.
Policy
AI Mental Health Policy Proposal
A federal policy proposal for clinical oversight of AI therapy chatbots. 500M+ people use them weekly.
Research
Inclusive EEG Datasets via GANs
Using generative adversarial networks to create representative neural data, because most existing EEG datasets aren't.
Fiction · In Progress
The Heart of Astrea
Fantasy about a girl who becomes the vessel for a god's power and has to decide what to do with it. It's about who gets to wield transformative technology, who it's built for, and what happens when you'd rather be loved than be right.
// essays, arguments, and things i keep thinking about
No Simulation, No Hunger Games, No Big Brother — Human Augmentation Is the Real Incoming Dystopia
About human augmentation technology, why it's closer than most people think, and what happens to the idea of 'human' when we can edit ourselves.
Human Perception Is Very, Very Flawed. And Technology Can and Will Exploit That.
How human perception works, where it breaks down, and how tech companies are already designing around those blind spots.
How These Funny-Looking Headsets Could Lead to The Death of Human Privacy
An explanation of how brain imaging and neuromodulation devices work, what data they collect, and why the privacy implications are serious.
View all writing →// let's think together
Happy to talk about neurotechnology, product work, creative writing, ethics, or anything you think I'd find interesting.
onyekaidiaghe@gmail.com