Robert Rennaker
Associate Professor
PhD, Arizona State University
Neural Engineering
JO 4.206
972-883-6752 
About Robert Rennaker
Dr. Rennaker graduated high school in 1988 and then served in the United States Marine Corps for 5 years. During that time, Sergeant Rennaker participated in Operation Sharp Edge in Liberia, Desert Shield/Storm in Kuwait, and Provide Comfort in Yugoslavia. Following his honorable discharge, Dr. Rennaker received his BSE (1997), MS (1999) and Ph.D. (2002) in Biomedical Engineering from Arizona State University. Following graduation Dr. Rennaker spent seven years at the University of Oklahoma in the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department as an Assistant (’02- ’09) and Associate (2009) professor. Dr. Rennaker and his wife Paula have 3 children.
Research Interests
Dr. Rennaker’s research has two main foci. The first is the development of Neural Interface systems. Dr. Rennaker received and RO1 from NINDS for the development of a wireless distributed neural interface in May of 2009. The second research focus is systems level neuroscience. Dr. Rennaker has an R01 from NIDCD to study olfactory encoding of odorants. Other interests include auditory neuroscience, plasticity and attention.
Recent Publications
Sloan AM, Dodd OT, Rennaker R.L.; Frequency discrimination in rats measured with tone-step stimuli and discrete pure tones. Hearing Research, 2009 Online March 1.
Barnes D. Hofacer R., Zaman A., Rennaker R.L, Wilson D.; Olfactory perceptual stability and discrimination. Nature Neuroscience, December 2008 11(12): 1378-80.
Abraham D, Rennaker RL, and Ibrahim TS. Electromagnetic power absorption and temperature changes due to brain machine interface operation. 2007 May;35(5):825-34. Annals of Biomedical Engineering.
Center for Children and Families