Naweed Syed
{{Short description|Canadian neuro-scientist}}
{{Infobox scientist
| name = Naweed Syed
| image =
| caption =
| birth_place = Attock, Pakistan{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/urdu/science-52290379|title = پاکستانی سائنسدان کی وہ ایجاد جس سے مرگی کا علاج ممکن ہو گا|date = 17 April 2020}}
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| nationality = Canadian
| field = Human-computer interaction
| alma_mater = University of Karachi (BSc, MSc)
| work_institution = University of Calgary
| prizes =
| footnotes =
}}
Naweed I. Syed{{cite web |title=Naweed I. Syed |url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/author/38291731200 |website=IEEE Xplore |publisher=Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers |access-date=7 October 2019}} is a Pakistani-born Canadian neuro-scientist. He is the first scientist to connect brain cells to a silicon chip, creating the world's first neurochip.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ucalgary.ca/news/uofcpublications/RIA_fall08/RIA-Syed |title=University of Calgary: Naweed Syed |access-date=2017-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421162716/https://www.ucalgary.ca/news/uofcpublications/RIA_fall08/RIA-Syed |archive-date=2018-04-21 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/calgary-scientists-to-create-human-neurochip/article1368807/ |title=Calgary scientists to create human 'neurochip' |author=Carolyn Abraham |publisher=The Globe and Mail |date=August 9, 2010 |access-date=April 16, 2014}}{{Cite journal |doi = 10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.038102|pmid = 14753914|bibcode = 2004PhRvL..92c8102K|title = Neuron-Semiconductor Chip with Chemical Synapse between Identified Neurons|journal = Physical Review Letters|volume = 92|issue = 3|pages = 038102|year = 2004|last1 = Kaul|first1 = R. Alexander|last2 = Syed|first2 = Naweed I.|last3 = Fromherz|first3 = Peter}}
Syed has travelled worldwide giving lectures and presentations about the human mind and his mini-chip.
Dr. Naweed Syed is a professor at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. He also served for 10 years as the Department Head of anatomy and cell biology, Research Director HBI at the CSM and also the Postdoctoral Program Director – Office of the Vice President (Research) from 2012 – 2016. Syed has served and chaired almost all of the university's senior committees and was Special Advisor to Vice President Research for several years.{{cite web |url=https://www.ucalgary.ca/cba/dr-naweed-syed-profile|title=Naweed I. Syed |publisher=University of Calgary |access-date=April 16, 2014}}
Research
Syed's research is focused at cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying brain development and plasticity. Specifically, he studies how networks of brain cells assemble during development and are modified throughout life to form the basis for learning and memory. He also investigates how various anesthetic agents affect communications between brain cells and induce cytotoxicity.{{cite web |url=https://www.creativedestructionlab.com/people/dr-naweed-syed/|title=Naweed Syed|publisher=Creative Destruction Lab|access-date=}}
After two decades of design, experiments, redesign and observations, Dr. Naweed's two-way brain-chip is almost ready for human trials. At first, the bionic chip will be used to manage patients with epilepsy – especially those who do not respond to any drugs present on our shelves.{{cite web |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1939188/1-pakistani-scientist-months-away-first-ever-brain-chip-trials-humans/?amp=1&__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=17a157795c03b8c55de673187dfa59a0abdf75fd-1579103227-0-AcQP4hIHqRZpEBtQMx4VRCeucrEYiypttxHArSH4G3ZL7-vQuPjaVnI9EdSf6Mjqzj38kgFJ-P9Q-r7dF9JQjpLOMs09gK203DwucaGAXOFmTdmtDTSU294L5SUzNyWb7On7uQNyQCQQn6KF71CpJAxphOCuri1nTjWQQZwvEHNNrrO0BQxB5NiFP-R5YUIFpk1CI87h4BwwvyYenTiC2ChbnOA-hxObIzZhtiOIpobKcfIipPJmFCAzP3PBggvLWOMnWtP5AKZQVWuDnYsfZDfHwTe-oSoXnMrfhSKOJs7uRY3Eb5KjSei1NWKB0HDVyflQxm8YQqnHbLGgVs0A6fqC_6NDO2-Gqy0FD4EhcGddPIxaYD3rmgVyE8RE08uh8Q|title=Pakistani scientist months away from first ever brain-chip trials on humans |date=28 March 2019 |publisher=Express Tribune |access-date=March 29, 2019}}
Syed has written more than 130 highly cited research papers published in Nature (journal), Science (journal), Neuron (journal) and other prestigious journals and produced several dozen inventions and innovations.
Honours and recognition
Syed is the recipient of the following recognition awards: Outstanding Scientist Award from the Asian Community in Toronto (2004); Canadian Sensation Award from South Asian Media Express Network (2012); Distinguished Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Biomedical Research by Pakistan-Canada Association (2012); Outstanding Collaboration Award, Schulich School of Engineering (2012); Canadians for Global Care Award of Recognition (2015).
Syed has received recognition both in Pakistan and abroad for his immense services to the field of neuroscience. He is the recipient of the prestigious and the highly distinguished Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) by the government of Pakistan, and Canada-150 Medal by the Canadian Senate which both of which he received in 2017.{{cite web |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/443969/pride-of-pakistan-naweed-i-syed/ |title=Pride of Pakistan, Naweed I Syed |publisher=Daily Times (Pakistan) |date=August 6, 2019}}
References
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Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Canadian people of Pakistani descent
Category:Canadian neuroscientists
Category:Canadian academics of Pakistani descent
Category:Pakistani neuroscientists
Category:Recipients of Tamgha-e-Imtiaz
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