Michael Beyeler

Biography

Dr. Michael Beyeler is Associate Professor of Computer Science and Psychological & Brain Sciences at UC Santa Barbara, where he directs the Bionic Vision Lab. His research combines computational neuroscience, AI, and immersive technology to advance sight restoration for people with incurable blindness. Prior to joining UCSB in 2019, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington and earned his PhD in Computer Science from UC Irvine. He also holds degrees in Electrical and Biomedical Engineering from ETH Zurich.

Dr. Beyeler serves as Associate Director of UC Santa Barbara’s Center for Virtual Environments and Behavior (ReCVEB). His work has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health (K99/R00 and DP2 New Innovator Award) and by UC Santa Barbara with the 2024-2025 Harold J. Plous Memorial Award for exceptional contributions to research, teaching, and service.

Research

The Bionic Vision Lab investigates how neural systems give rise to visual perception—and how we might restore sight in people living with incurable blindness. We approach this challenge at the intersection of neuroscience, neuroengineering, and artificial intelligence, using computational models, neurophysiological methods, and behavioral experiments to understand how brains perceive and act in complex environments.

Our work focuses on the emerging field of bionic vision, where insights from systems neuroscience inform the design of next-generation visual neuroprostheses. We develop biophysically grounded models of retinal and cortical stimulation, study neural dynamics underlying perception and navigation, and build immersive virtual reality environments as testbeds for neuroprosthetic interfaces. We use multimodal methods including EEG, TMS, and physiological sensing to probe visual system function, and collaborate closely with implant developers and bionic eye recipients to translate these insights into real-world applications.

DYNS students in our lab contribute to every stage of this work, often focusing on computational modeling, neural data analysis, and the design of closed-loop neurostimulation systems. They work alongside students from Computer Science and Psychological & Brain Sciences, gaining experience in interdisciplinary team science while advancing the neural engineering foundations of sight restoration.