Alumni

THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO AFFILIATION PERIOD 2016-2017

(students advised pro-bono by Dr. Rutkowski)

Kensuke SHIMIZU

• MSC graduate (M2 '16/17) at the Graduate School of Systems Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Japan
  • Research focus on the tactile-pressure-based BCI (tBCI)
  • Selected publications:
    • Shimizu K, Kodama T, Jurica P, Cichocki A, Rutkowski TM. Tactile BCI Paradigms for Robots’ Control. In: 6th Conference on Systems Neuroscience and Rehabilitation 2015 (SNR 2015). Tokorozawa, Japan; 2015. p. 28.
    • Shimizu K, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Tactile Pin-pressure Brain-computer Interface. In: Proceedings of The 10th AEARU Workshop on Computer Science and Web Technologies (CSWT-2015). University of Tsukuba; 2015. p. 35–36.
    • Shimizu K, Mori H, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Tactile pressure brain-computer interface using point matrix pattern paradigm. In: Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems (SCIS), 2014 Joint 7th International Conference on and Advanced Intelligent Systems (ISIS), 15th International Symposium on; 2014. p. 473–477. Available from: [link].
    • Neto WM, Shimizu K, Mori H, Rutkowski TM. Virtual reality feedback environment for brain computer interface paradigm using tactile and bone-conduction auditory modality paradigms. In: Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems (SCIS), 2014 Joint 7th International Conference on and Advanced Intelligent Systems (ISIS), 15th International Symposium on; 2014. p. 469–472. Available from: [link].

Thomas "Tom" STEWART

• A visiting student graduate from Biological Cybernetics Lab (Hoshino Lab), University of Tsukuba, Japan
• Research focus on BCI for neuroprosthesis control.
• Developer of a linux driver for the g.tec's gUSBAmp running under Linux available on GitHub as tomstewart89/gtec-bcilab

Takumi KODAMA

• MSC graduate (M2 '16/17) at the Graduate School of Systems Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Japan
  • Research focus on the vibrotactile BCI based on a whole body stimulation (vbBCI)
  • Selected publications:
    • Kodama T. Spatial Tactile Brain-computer Interface Paradigm by Applying Vibration Stimulus to Large Body Areas [Bachelor Degree Thesis]. School of Informatics - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2014.

Visiting undergraduate students

• Jair PEREIRA Junior - visiting student from Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Santo Andre, Sao Paulo, Brazil, during his stay at the College of Information Science, University of Tsukuba, Japan
• Caio TEIXEIRA - visiting student from University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, during his stay at the College of Information Science, University of Tsukuba, Japan

UNIVERSITY OF TSUKUBA AFFILIATION PERIOD 2011-2016

Academic year 2015/2016

PhD alumni

Aness BELHOUARI - a visiting PhD candidate from University of Sciences and Technology of Oran, Algeria

• Research focus on spatial multisensory BCI
• Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
  • Belhouari A, Berrached N, Rutkowski TM. Classification Improvement and Analysis of P300 Responses with Various Inter–stimulus Intervals in Application to Spatial Visual Brain—computer Interface. In: Asia-Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association, 2015 Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA ASC 2015). APSIPA. Hong Kong, China: IEEE Press; 2015. p. 1054–1058.

MSc alumni

Daiki AMINAKA

• MSc degree with honors awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "Visual Brain-Computer Interface Based on Higher Frequency Chromatic Stimuli Using Pseudo-Random Sequence BCI" in January'16 by the Graduate School of Systems Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Japan
• Selected publications:
  • Aminaka D, Shimizu K, Rutkowski TM. Multiuser Spatial cVEP BCI Direct Brain-robot Control. In: Proceedings of the Sixth International Brain-Computer Interface Meeting 2016. Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, CA USA; 2016. p. (accepted, in press).
  • Aminaka D, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. SVM Classification Study of Code–modulated Visual Evoked Potentials. In: Asia-Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association, 2015 Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA ASC 2015). APSIPA. Hong Kong, China: IEEE Press; 2015. p. 1065–1070.
  • Aminaka D, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. EEG Filtering Optimization for Code-modulated Chromatic Visual Evoked Potential-based Brain-computer Interface. In: Symbiotic Interaction. vol. 9359 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing; 2015. p. 1–6.
  • Aminaka D, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Classification Accuracy Improvement of Chromatic and High–Frequency Code–Modulated Visual Evoked Potential–Based BCI. In: Guo Y, Friston K, Aldo F, Hill S, Peng H, editors. Brain Informatics and Health. vol. 9250 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Springer International Publishing; 2015. p. 232–241. Available from: [link]. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-23344-4_23. The Best Paper Prize awarded at 2015 International Conference Brain Informatics & Health.
  • Shimizu K, Aminaka D, Kodama T, Nakaizumi C, Jurica P, Cichocki A, et al. Brain-robot Interfaces Using Spatial Tactile and Visual BCI Paradigms - Brains Connecting to the Internet of Things Approach. In: The International Conference on Brain Informatics & Health - Type II Paper: Proceedings 2015. London, UK: Imperial College London; 2015. p. 9–10.
  • Aminaka D, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Classification Accuracy Improvement of Chromatic and High– Frequency Code–Modulated Visual Evoked Potential–Based BCI. In: Guo Y, Friston K, Aldo F, Hill S, Peng H, editors. Brain Informatics and Health. vol. 9250 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Springer International Publishing; 2015. p. 232–241. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/ 978-3-319-23344-4_23.
  • Aminaka D, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Chromatic and High–frequency cVEP–based BCI Paradigm. In: 2015 37th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC). IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Press; 2015. p. 1906–1909. Available from: http://arxiv.org/abs/1506.04461.
  • Aminaka D, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. SVM Classification Study of Code–modulated Visual Evoked Potentials. In: Asia-Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association, 2015 Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA); 2015. p. (accepted, in press).
  • Aminaka D, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. SSVEP Brain-computer Interface using Green and Blue Lights. In: Proceedings of The 10th AEARU Workshop on Computer Science and Web Technologies (CSWT- 2015). University of Tsukuba; 2015. p. 39–40.
  • Aminaka D, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Chromatic SSVEP BCI paradigm targeting the higher frequency EEG responses. In: Asia-Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association, 2014 Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA); 2014. p. 1–7. Available from:http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/APSIPA.2014.7041761.
  • Aminaka D. Brain-computer Interface using Bone-conducted Sound [Bachelor Degree Thesis]. School of Informatics - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2014.
  • Aminaka D, Mori K, Matsui T, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Bone-Conduction-Based Brain Computer Interface Paradigm – EEG Signal Processing, Feature Extraction and Classification. In: Signal-Image Technology Internet-Based Systems (SITIS), 2013 International Conference on; 2013. p. 818–824. Available from: [link].
  • Kono S, Aminaka D, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. EEG Signal Processing and Classification for the Novel Tactile-Force Brain-Computer Interface Paradigm. In: Signal-Image Technology Internet-Based Systems (SITIS), 2013 International Conference on; 2013. p. 812–817. Available from: [link].
• Awards:
  • Dean Award of The Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering for The Best Graduate Student of The Department of Computer Science in 2016, University of Tsukuba, Japan
  • The Best Paper Award at 2015 International Conference Brain Informatics & Health, London, UK

Chisaki NAKAIZUMI

• MSc degree with honors awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "Head–related Impulse Response Spatial Cues for Japanese Auditory Brain–computer Interface Speller" in January'16 by the Graduate School of Systems Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Japan
• Selected publications:
  • Nakaizumi C, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Head–related Impulse Response Cues for Spatial Auditory Brain–computer Interface. In: 2015 37th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC). IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Press; 2015. p. 1071-1074.
  • Nakaizumi C, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Variable Sound Elevation Features for Head–related Impulse Response Spatial Auditory BCI. In: Asia-Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association, 2015 Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA ASC 2015). APSIPA. Hong Kong, China: IEEE Press; 2015. p. 1094–1099.
  • Chang M, Nakaizumi C, Mori K, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Spatial Auditory BCI Spellers Using Real and Virtual Surround Sound Systems. In: 6th Conference on Systems Neuroscience and Rehabilitation 2015 (SNR 2015). Tokorozawa, Japan; 2015. p. 28.
  • Nakaizumi C, Matsui T, Mori K, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Spatial Auditory Brain-computer Interface using Head Related Impulse Response. In: Proceedings of The 10th AEARU Workshop on Computer Science and Web Technologies (CSWT-2015). University of Tsukuba; 2015. p. 37–38.
  • Nakaizumi C, Matsui T, Mori K, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Head–related Impulse Response-based Spatial Auditory Brain–computer Interface. In: Mueller-Putz G, Bauernfeind G, Brunner C, Steyrl D, Wriessnegger S, Scherer R, editors. Proceedings of the 6th International Brain-Computer Interface Conference 2014. Graz University of Technology Publishing House; 2014. p. Article ID 020–1–4. Available from: [link].
  • Nakaizumi C. Auditory Brain-computer Interface Paradigm with Head Related Impulse Response-based Spatial Cues [Bachelor Degree Thesis]. School of Informatics - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2014.
  • Nakaizumi C, Mori K, Matsui T, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Auditory Brain-computer Interface Paradigm with Head Related Impulse Response-based Spatial Cues. In: Signal-Image Technology Internet-Based Systems (SITIS), 2013 International Conference on; 2013. p. 806–811. Available from: [link].
• Awards:
  • University of Tsukuba Computer Science Department Chair Award 2016 for excellent research results.
  • University of Tsukuba College of Information Science Head Award 2014 for excellent results in graduation thesis.
• Selected publications:
  • Yajima H, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Fingertip Stimulus Cue–based Tactile Brain–computer Interface. In: Asia-Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association, 2015 Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA ASC 2015). APSIPA. Hong Kong, China: IEEE Press; 2015. p. 1059–1064.
  • Yajima H, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Multi-command Tactile Brain-computer Interface Using the Touch- sense Glove. In: Proceedings of The 10th AEARU Workshop on Computer Science and Web Technologies (CSWT-2015). University of Tsukuba; 2015. p. 43–44.
  • Yajima H, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. P300 responses classification improvement in tactile BCI with touch-sense glove. In: Asia-Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association, 2014 Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA). IEEE; 2014. p. 1–7. Available from: [link].
  • Yajima H. Tactile Apparent Motion Stimulus-based Brain-computer Interface Paradigm [Bachelor Degree Thesis]. School of Informatics - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2014.

Hiroki YAJIMA

• MSc degree awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "Hand-Tactile-Based Brain-Computer Interface Paradigm with Optimal Vibration Stimulus Patterns" in January'16 by the Graduate School of Systems Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Japan
• Selected publications:
  • Yajima H, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Fingertip Stimulus Cue–based Tactile Brain–computer Interface. In: Asia-Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association, 2015 Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA ASC 2015). APSIPA. Hong Kong, China: IEEE Press; 2015. p. 1059–1064.
  • Yajima H, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Multi-command Tactile Brain-computer Interface Using the Touch- sense Glove. In: Proceedings of The 10th AEARU Workshop on Computer Science and Web Technologies (CSWT-2015). University of Tsukuba; 2015. p. 43–44.
  • Yajima H, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. P300 responses classification improvement in tactile BCI with touch-sense glove. In: Asia-Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association, 2014 Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA). IEEE; 2014. p. 1–7. Available from: [link].
  • Yajima H. Tactile Apparent Motion Stimulus-based Brain-computer Interface Paradigm [Bachelor Degree Thesis]. School of Informatics - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2014.

Visiting undergraduate students

• Niksa MASANA (summer student 2015) - Mahidol University, Thailand
• Ngamprom WUDHINITIKORNKIJ (summer student 2015) - Mahidol University, Thailand
• Zhou JUNJIE - an undergraduate student (B2 '15) at the College of Information Science, University of Tsukuba, Japan
  • Research focus on "Chinese Language Auditory BCI Speller"

Academic year 2014/2015

MSc alumni

Moonjeong CHANG

• MSc degree with honors awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "Japanese Syllabary Spatial Auditory Brain-computer Interface Speller" in January'15 by the Graduate School of Systems Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Japan
• Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
  • Chang M, Nakaizumi C, Mori K, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Spatial Auditory BCI Spellers Using Real and Virtual Surround Sound Systems. In: 6th Conference on Systems Neuroscience and Rehabilitation 2015 (SNR 2015). Tokorozawa, Japan; 2015. p. 28.
  • Chang M, Rutkowski TM. Two–step Input Japanese Kana Characters Spatial Auditory Brain–computer Interface. In: Advances in Cognitive Neurodynamics Volume (V). Springer Netherlands; 2015. p. (accepted, in press).
  • Chang M, Mori K, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Spatial Auditory Two-step Input Japanese Syllabary Brain-computer Interface Speller. Procedia Technology. 2014;18:25 – 31. Available from: [link].
  • Chang M, Nishikawa N, Struzik ZR, Mori K, Makino S, Mandic D, et al. Comparison of P300 Responses in Auditory, Visual and Audiovisual Spatial Speller BCI Paradigms. In: Proceedings of the Fifth International Brain-Computer Interface Meeting 2013. Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, CA USA: Graz University of Technology Publishing House, Austria; 2013. p. Article ID: 156. Available from: [link].
  • Chang M, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Classification improvement of P300 response based auditory spatial speller brain-computer interface paradigm. In: TENCON 2013 - 2013 IEEE Region 10 Conference (31194); 2013. p. 1–4. Paper ID 111. Available from: [link].
  • Chang M, Nishikawa N, Cai Z, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Psychophysical Responses Comparison in Spatial Auditory, Visual, and Audiovisual BCI-Spelling Paradigms. In: Proceedings of The 6th International Conference on Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems, and The 13th International Symposium on Advanced Intelligent Systems. Kobe, Japan; 2012. p. 2154–2157. Available from: [link].
• Awards:
  • University of Tsukuba Computer Science Department Chair Award 2015 for excellent research results.
  • The Best Paper Award at IICST 2014, Warsaw, Poland.

Hiromu MORI

• MSc degree with honors awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "Tactile and Bone-conduction Auditory Brain Computer Interface Paradigm" in January'15 by the Graduate School of Systems Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Japan
• Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
  • Rutkowski TM, Mori H. Tactile and bone-conduction auditory brain computer interface for vision and hearing impaired users. Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 2015;244(0):45 – 51. Brain Computer Interfaces; Tribute to Greg A. Gerhardt. Available from: [link].
  • Rutkowski TM, Mori H, Kodama T, Shinoda H. Airborne Ultrasonic Tactile Display Brain-computer Interface - A Small Robotic Arm Online Control Study. In: Proceedings of The 10th AEARU Workshop on Computer Science and Web Technologies (CSWT-2015). University of Tsukuba; 2015. p. 7–8.
  • Rutkowski TM, Mori H, Mori K. In: Guger C, Vaughan T, Allison B, editors. Multi-command Tactile and Bone-Conduction-Auditory Brain-Computer Interface. SpringerBriefs in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Springer International Publishing; 2014. p. 125–131. Available from: [link].
  • Hieronymus B, Mori H, Rutkowski TM. Brain-computer interface using ambisonics-reproduced dynamic sound image effects. In: Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems (SCIS), 2014 Joint 7th International Conference on and Advanced Intelligent Systems (ISIS), 15th International Symposium on; 2014. p. 301–306. Available from: [link].
  • Mori H, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Tactile and bone-conduction auditory brain computer interface for vision and hearing impaired users - Stimulus pattern and BCI accuracy improvement. In: Asia-Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association, 2014 Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA); 2014. p. 1–7. Available from: [link].
  • Alexander T, Kuh A, Hamada K, Mori H, Shinoda H, Rutkowski T. Parallel memory-efficient processing of BCI data. In: Asia-Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association, 2014 Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA); 2014. p. 1–9. Available from: [link].
  • Shimizu K, Mori H, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Tactile pressure brain-computer interface using point matrix pattern paradigm. In: Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems (SCIS), 2014 Joint 7th International Conference on and Advanced Intelligent Systems (ISIS), 15th International Symposium on; 2014. p. 473–477. Available from: [link].
  • Neto WM, Shimizu K, Mori H, Rutkowski TM. Virtual reality feedback environment for brain computer interface paradigm using tactile and bone-conduction auditory modality paradigms. In: Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems (SCIS), 2014 Joint 7th International Conference on and Advanced Intelligent Systems (ISIS), 15th International Symposium on; 2014. p. 469–472. Available from: [link].
  • Rutkowski TM, Hamada K, Mori H, Shinoda H. Novel somatosensory contact-less brain-computer interface paradigm based on airborne ultrasonic tactile display stimuli. In: 2014 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Neural Decoding. Washington DC, USA: Society for Neuroscience; 2014. p. Program No. 165.11/II20 & DP4. Online. Available from: [link].
  • Hamada K, Mori H, Shinoda H, Rutkowski TM. Airborne Ultrasonic Tactile Display Brain-computer Interface Paradigm. In: Mueller-Putz G, Bauernfeind G, Brunner C, Steyrl D, Wriessnegger S, Scherer R, editors. Proceedings of the 6th International Brain-Computer Interface Conference 2014. Graz University of Technology Publishing House; 2014. p. Article ID 018–1–4. Available from: link.
  • Mori H, Matsumoto Y, Makino S, Struzik ZR, Mandic DP, Rutkowski TM. Network Based Complexity Analysis in Tactile Brain Computer Interface Task. Transactions of Japanese Society for Medical and Biological Engineering. 2013;51(Supplement):M–134. Available from: [link].
  • Rutkowski TM, Mori H, Matsumoto Y, Struzik ZR, Makino S, Mandic D, et al. Spatial Tactile and Auditory Brain Computer Interface based on Head Position Stimulation. In: Abstracts of the 36th Annual Meeting of the Japan Neuroscience Society - Neuro 2013. Kyoto, Japan: Japan Neuroscience Society; 2013. p. O2–6–3–3. Available from: [link].
  • Rutkowski TM, Mori H, Makino S, Mori K. Novel spatial tactile and bone-conduction auditory brain computer interface. In: 2013 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Brain-Machine Interface I. San Diego, CA, USA: Society for Neuroscience; 2013. p. Program No. 79.03. Online. Available from: [link].
  • Mori H, Matsumoto Y, Struzik ZR, Mori K, Makino S, Mandic D, et al. Multi-command Tactile and Auditory Brain Computer Interface based on Head Position Stimulation. In: Proceedings of the Fifth International Brain-Computer Interface Meeting 2013. Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, CA USA: Graz University of Technology Publishing House, Austria; 2013. p. Article ID: 095. Available from: [link].
  • Mori H, Matsumoto Y, Kryssanov V, Cooper E, Ogawa H, Makino S, et al. Multi-command Tactile Brain Computer Interface: A Feasibility Study. In: Oakley I, Brewster S, editors. Haptic and Audio Interaction Design 2013 (HAID 2013). vol. 7989 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Springer Verlag Berlin Heidelberg; 2013. p. 50–59. Available from: [link].
  • Mori H, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Multi-command Chest Tactile Brain Computer Interface for Small Vehicle Robot Navigation. In: Imamura K, Usui S, Shirao T, Kasamatsu T, Schwabe L, Zhong N, editors. Brain and Health Informatics. vol. 8211 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Springer International Publishing; 2013. p. 469–478. Available from: [link].
  • Rutkowski TM, Mori H, Matsumoto Y, Cai Z, Chang M, Nishikawa N, et al.. Haptic BCI Paradigm based on Somatosensory Evoked Potential; 2012. Available from: [link].
  • Mori H, Matsumoto Y, Makino S, Kryssanov V, Rutkowski TM. Vibrotactile Stimulus Frequency Optimization for the Haptic BCI Prototype. In: Proceedings of The 6th International Conference on Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems, and The 13th International Symposium on Advanced Intelligent Systems. Kobe, Japan; 2012. p. 2150–2153. Available from: link.
• Awards:
  • University of Tsukuba Computer Science Department Chair Award 2015 for Excellent Research Results.
  • University of Tsukuba Computer Science Department Chair Award 2014 for Excellent Research Results.
  • The Annual BCI Research Award 2014 for a project "Airborne Ultrasonic Tactile Display BCI"

BSc students

Kensuke SHIMIZU

• BSc degree with honors awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "Tactile Pressure Brain-computer Interface Paradigm Applied to User’s Palm" in February'14 by the College of Information Science, University of Tsukuba, Japan
• Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
  • Shimizu K, Kodama T, Jurica P, Cichocki A, Rutkowski TM. Tactile BCI Paradigms for Robots’ Control. In: 6th Conference on Systems Neuroscience and Rehabilitation 2015 (SNR 2015). Tokorozawa, Japan; 2015. p. 28.
  • Shimizu K, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Tactile Pin-pressure Brain-computer Interface. In: Proceedings of The 10th AEARU Workshop on Computer Science and Web Technologies (CSWT-2015). University of Tsukuba; 2015. p. 35–36.
  • Shimizu K, Mori H, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Tactile pressure brain-computer interface using point matrix pattern paradigm. In: Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems (SCIS), 2014 Joint 7th International Conference on and Advanced Intelligent Systems (ISIS), 15th International Symposium on; 2014. p. 473–477. Available from: [link].
  • Neto WM, Shimizu K, Mori H, Rutkowski TM. Virtual reality feedback environment for brain computer interface paradigm using tactile and bone-conduction auditory modality paradigms. In: Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems (SCIS), 2014 Joint 7th International Conference on and Advanced Intelligent Systems (ISIS), 15th International Symposium on; 2014. p. 469–472. Available from: link.
• Awards:
  • University of Tsukuba College of Information Science Head Award 2015 for Excellent Results in Graduation Thesis.

Yusuke IWAMA

• On health leave of absence.

MSc visiting students

Trevor Alexander

• a visiting graduate student from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Department of Electrical Engineering, USA
• Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
  • Alexander T, Kuh A, Hamada K, Mori H, Shinoda H, Rutkowski T. Parallel memory-efficient processing of BCI data. In: Asia-Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association, 2014 Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA); 2014. p. 1–9. Available from: [link].

BSc visiting students

Bertrand Hieronymous

• Computer Science Department, University of Technology of Belfort-Montbéliard, France
• Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
  • Hieronymus B, Mori H, Rutkowski TM. Brain-computer Interface Using Ambisonics–reproduced Dynamic Sound Image Effects. In: Proceedings of The 7th International Conference on Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems, and The 13th International Symposium on Advanced Intelligent Systems. Kitakyushu, Japan; 2014. p. (accepted, in press).

Waldir Marin

• An undergraduate visiting student from Federal Technological University of Paraná, Brazil
• Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
  • Marin-Neto W, Mori H, Shimizu K, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Virtual Reality Feedback Environment for Brain Computer Interface Paradigm using Tactile and Bone–conduction Auditory Modality Paradigms. In: Proceedings of The 7th International Conference on Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems, and The 13th International Symposium on Advanced Intelligent Systems. Kitakyushu, Japan; 2014. p. (accepted, in press).

Academic year 2013/2014

PhD students

1. Zhenyu CAI
   • PhD degree awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "Brain Evoked Potential Latencies Optimization for Spatial Auditory Brain Computer Interface" in January'14 by the Graduate School of Systems Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Japan
   • Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
     • Cai Z. Brain Evoked Potential Latencies Optimization for Spatial Auditory Brain Computer Interface [PhD Thesis]. Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2014.
     • Cai Z, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Spatial auditory BCI with ERP responses to front-back to the head stimuli distinction support. In: Signal and Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA), 2013 Asia-Pacific; 2013. p. 1–8. Paper ID 85. Available from: [link].
     • Cai Z, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Brain Evoked Potential Latencies Optimization for Spatial Auditory Brain-Computer Interface. Cognitive Computation. 2013 August;p. (online first). Available from: [link].
     • Cai Z, Makino S, Yamada T, Rutkowski TM. Spatial auditory BCI paradigm utilizing N200 and P300 responses. In: Signal Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA ASC), 2012 Asia-Pacific; 2012. p. 1–7. Paper ID 355. Available from: [link].
     • Cai Z, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Spatial Auditory BCI/BMI Paradigm. In: Bandyopadhyay A, editor. Proceedings of The Second International Workshop on Brain Inspired Computing (BIC2012). Tsukuba, Japan: NIMS; 2012. p. poster #2.1.
     • Chang M, Nishikawa N, Cai Z, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Psychophysical Responses Comparison in Spatial Auditory, Visual, and Audiovisual BCI-Spelling Paradigms. In: Proceedings of The 6th International Conference on Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems, and The 13th International Symposium on Advanced Intelligent Systems. Kobe, Japan; 2012. p. 2154–2157. Available from: [link].
     • Rutkowski TM, Cai Z, Nishikawa N, Matsumoto Y, Makino S, Looney D, et al. A multi-command spatial auditory BMI based on evoked EEG responses from real and virtual sound stimuli. In: 2012 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Brain Machine Interfaces: Non-Invasive Methods. New Orleans, LA, USA: Society for Neuroscience; 2012. p. Program No. 891.16. Online. Available from: [link].
     • Rutkowski TM, Mori H, Matsumoto Y, Cai Z, Chang M, Nishikawa N, et al. Haptic BCI Paradigm based on Somatosensory Evoked Potential. ArXiv e-prints. 2012 Jul;Available from: [link].
     • Cai Z, Terasawa H, Makino S, Yamada T, Rutkowski TM. Sound Timbre and Spatial Location as Informative Cues in Auditory BCI - Brain Evoked Potential Enhancement and Involuntary Eye Movements Artifacts Suppression Approach. In: Proceedings of the Third APSIPA Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA ASC 2011). Xi’an, China: APSIPA; 2011. p. paper 241 (6 pages). Available from: [link].
     • Rutkowski TM, Zhao Q, Mandic DP, Cai Z, Cichocki A, Makino S, et al. New EEG components separation method: Data driven Huang-Hilbert Transform application to auditory BMI paradigm. In: 2011 Neuro- science Meeting Planner. Washington DC, USA: Society for Neuroscience; 2011. p. Program No. 627.15. Online. Available from: [link].

MSc students

1. Teruaki Kaniwa
   • MSc degree awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "A study on EEG sonification for analysis of the spatiotemporal characteristics of steady state responses" in January'14 by the Graduate School of Systems Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Japan
   • Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
     • Kaniwa T. A study on EEG sonification for analysis of the spatiotemporal characteristics of steady state responses [Master Thesis]. Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2014. (in Japanese).
     • Kaniwa T, Terasawa H, Matsubara M, Rutkowski TM, Makino S. EEG steady state synchrony patterns sonification. In: Signal Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA ASC), 2012 Asia-Pacific; 2012. p. 1–6. Paper ID 364. Available from: [link].
2. Yoshihiro Matsumoto
   • MSc degree awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "Application of Stimulus-based Ensemble Classifier to Spatial Auditory BCI Speller" in January'14 by the Graduate School of Systems Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Japan
   • Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
     • Matsumoto Y. Application of Stimulus-based Ensemble Classifier to Spatial Auditory BCI Speller [Master Thesis]. Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2014.
     • Matsumoto Y, Makino S, Mori K, Rutkowski TM. Classifying P300 responses to vowel stimuli for auditory brain-computer interface. In: Signal and Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA), 2013 Asia-Pacific; 2013. p. 1–5. Paper ID 388. Available from: [link].
     • Mori H, Matsumoto Y, Struzik ZR, Mori K, Makino S, Mandic D, et al. Multi-command Tactile and Auditory Brain Computer Interface based on Head Position Stimulation. In: Proceedings of the Fifth International Brain-Computer Interface Meeting 2013. Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, CA USA: Graz University of Technology Publishing House, Austria; 2013. p. Article ID: 095. Available from: [link].
     • Mori H, Matsumoto Y, Kryssanov V, Cooper E, Ogawa H, Makino S, et al. Multi-command Tactile Brain Computer Interface: A Feasibility Study. In: Oakley I, Brewster S, editors. Haptic and Audio Interaction Design 2013 (HAID 2013). vol. 7989 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Springer Verlag Berlin Heidelberg; 2013. p. 50–59. Available from: [link].
     • Mori H, Matsumoto Y, Makino S, Struzik ZR, Mandic DP, Rutkowski TM. Network Based Complexity Analysis in Tactile Brain Computer Interface Task. Transactions of Japanese Society for Medical and Biological Engineering. 2013;51(Supplement):M–134. Available from: [link].
     • Rutkowski TM, Mori H, Matsumoto Y, Struzik ZR, Makino S, Mandic D, et al. Spatial Tactile and Auditory Brain Computer Interface based on Head Position Stimulation. In: Abstracts of the 36th Annual Meeting of the Japan Neuroscience Society (Neuro2013). Kyoto, Japan: Japan Neuroscience Society; 2013. p. O2–6–3–3.
     • Matsumoto Y, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Steady-State Auditory Responses Application to BCI/BMI. In: Bandyopadhyay A, editor. Proceedings of The Second International Workshop on Brain Inspired Computing (BIC2012). Tsukuba, Japan: NIMS; 2012. p. poster #2.2.
     • Mori H, Matsumoto Y, Makino S, Kryssanov V, Rutkowski TM. Vibrotactile Stimulus Frequency Optimization for the Haptic BCI Prototype. In: Proceedings of The 6th International Conference on Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems, and The 13th International Symposium on Advanced Intelligent Systems. Kobe, Japan; 2012. p. 2150–2153. Available from: [link].
     • Rutkowski TM, Cai Z, Nishikawa N, Matsumoto Y, Makino S, Looney D, et al. A multi-command spatial auditory BMI based on evoked EEG responses from real and virtual sound stimuli. In: 2012 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Brain Machine Interfaces: Non-Invasive Methods. New Orleans, LA, USA: Society for Neuroscience; 2012. p. Program No. 891.16. Online. Available from: [link].
     • Rutkowski TM, Mori H, Matsumoto Y, Cai Z, Chang M, Nishikawa N, et al. Haptic BCI Paradigm based on Somatosensory Evoked Potential. ArXiv e-prints. 2012 Jul;Available from: [link].
3. Nozomu Nishikawa
   • MSc degree awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "Real and Virtual Sound Image Optimization for Spatial Auditory BCI" in January'14 by the Graduate School of Systems Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Japan
   • Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
     • Nishikawa N. Real and Virtual Sound Image Optimization for Spatial Auditory BCI [Master Thesis]. Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2014.
     • Nishikawa N, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Spatial auditory BCI paradigm based on real and virtual sound image generation. In: Signal and Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA), 2013 Asia-Pacific; 2013. p. 1–5. Paper ID 387. Available from: [link].
     • Chang M, Nishikawa N, Struzik ZR, Mori K, Makino S, Mandic D, et al. Comparison of P300 Responses in Auditory, Visual and Audiovisual Spatial Speller BCI Paradigms. In: Proceedings of the Fifth International Brain-Computer Interface Meeting 2013. Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, CA USA: Graz University of Technology Publishing House, Austria; 2013. p. Article ID: 156. Available from: [link].
     • Chang M, Nishikawa N, Cai Z, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Psychophysical Responses Comparison in Spatial Auditory, Visual, and Audiovisual BCI-Spelling Paradigms. In: Proceedings of The 6th International Conference on Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems, and The 13th International Symposium on Advanced Intelligent Systems. Kobe, Japan; 2012. p. 2154–2157. Available from: [link].

MSc visiting/co-advised students

1. Katsuhiko Hamada - a visiting graduate student (M2) from Shinoda Makino Laboratory, Department of Information Physics and Computing, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Japan
   • Research focus on the airborne ultrasound tactile display (AUTD) based BCI (autdBCI)
   • Selected publications:
     • Hamada K. Brain-computer Interface Using Airborne Ultrasound Tactile Display [Master Thesis]. The University of Tokyo. Tokyo, Japan; 2014. In Japanese.
   • Awards:
     • The Annual BCI Research Award 2014 - for the project "Airborne Ultrasonic Tactile Display BCI." The jury chairman Prof. Gernot R. Müller-Putz commented "A fascinating new idea never explored before."

BSc students

1. Daiki Aminaka
   • BSc degree awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "Brain-computer Interface using Bone-conducted Sound" in February'14 by the College of Information Science, University of Tsukuba, Japan
   • Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
     • Aminaka D. Brain-computer Interface using Bone-conducted Sound [Bachelor Degree Thesis]. School of Informatics - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2014.
     • Aminaka D, Mori K, Matsui T, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Bone-Conduction-Based Brain Computer Interface Paradigm – EEG Signal Processing, Feature Extraction and Classification. In: Signal-Image Technology Internet-Based Systems (SITIS), 2013 International Conference on; 2013. p. 818–824. Available from: [link].
     • Kono S, Aminaka D, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. EEG Signal Processing and Classification for the Novel Tactile-Force Brain-Computer Interface Paradigm. In: Signal-Image Technology Internet-Based Systems (SITIS), 2013 International Conference on; 2013. p. 812–817. Available from: [link].
2. Takumi Kodama
   • BSc degree awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "Spatial Tactile Brain-computer Interface Paradigm by Applying Vibration Stimulus to Large Body Areas" in February'14 by the College of Information Science, University of Tsukuba, Japan
   • Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
     • Kodama T. Spatial Tactile Brain-computer Interface Paradigm by Applying Vibration Stimulus to Large Body Areas [Bachelor Degree Thesis]. School of Informatics - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2014.
3. Shota Kono
   • BSc degree with honors awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "Tactile-force Brain-computer Interface Paradigm" in February'14 by the College of Information Science, University of Tsukuba, Japan
   • Received the College of Information Science Association Award 2014 for his project, thesis and presentation
   • Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
     • Kono S, Rutkowski TM. Tactile-Force Brain-computer Interface Paradigm - Somatosensory Multimedia Neurotechnology Application. Multimedia Tools and Applications. 2014;p. (accepted, in press).
     • Kono S. Tactile-force Brain-computer Interface Paradigm [Bachelor Degree Thesis]. School of Informatics - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2014.
     • Kono S, Aminaka D, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. EEG Signal Processing and Classification for the Novel Tactile-Force Brain-Computer Interface Paradigm. In: Signal-Image Technology Internet-Based Systems (SITIS), 2013 International Conference on; 2013. p. 812–817. Available from: link.
4. Chisaki Nakaizumi
   • BSc degree with honors awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "Auditory Brain-computer Interface Paradigm with Head Related Impulse Response-based Spatial Cues" in February'14 by the College of Information Science, University of Tsukuba, Japan
   • Received the College of Information Science Faculty Award 2014 for her project, thesis and presentation
   • Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
     • Nakaizumi C. Auditory Brain-computer Interface Paradigm with Head Related Impulse Response-based Spatial Cues [Bachelor Degree Thesis]. School of Informatics - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2014.
     • Nakaizumi C, Mori K, Matsui T, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Auditory Brain-computer Interface Paradigm with Head Related Impulse Response-based Spatial Cues. In: Signal-Image Technology Internet-Based Systems (SITIS), 2013 International Conference on; 2013. p. 806–811. Available from: [link].
5. Hiroki Yajima
   • BSc degree awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "Tactile Apparent Motion Stimulus-based Brain-computer Interface Paradigm" in February'14 by the College of Information Science, University of Tsukuba, Japan
   • Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
     • Yajima H. Tactile Apparent Motion Stimulus-based Brain-computer Interface Paradigm [Bachelor Degree Thesis]. School of Informatics - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2014.

Academic year 2012/2013

MSc students

Yohann Lelièvre

• MSc thesis entitled "Moving Sound Stimulus Study for the Novel Spatial Auditory Brain-Computer Interface Paradigm" defended and awarded by the Department of Neurosciences and Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Bordeaux, France
• Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
  • Lelievre Y, Washizawa Y, Rutkowski TM. Single trial BCI classification accuracy improvement for the novel virtual sound movement-based spatial auditory paradigm. In: Signal and Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA), 2013 Asia-Pacific; 2013. p. 1–6. Paper ID 365. Available from: [link].
  • Lelievre Y, Rutkowski TM. Novel virtual moving sound-based spatial auditory brain-computer interface paradigm. In: Neural Engineering (NER), 2013 6th International IEEE/EMBS Conference on. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society; 2013. p. 9–12. ArXiv:1308.2630 [link]. Available from: [link].
  • Lelievre Y. Moving Sound Stimulus Study for the Novel Spatial Auditory Brain-Computer Interface Paradigm [Master Thesis]. Department of Neurosciences and Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Bordeaux. Bordeaux, France; 2013. Supervisor: Rutkowski TM.

BSc students

1. Moonjenong Chang
   • BSc degree awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "Psychophysical and EEG Responses Comparison in Spatial Visual, Audiovisual and Auditory Brain Computer Interface Spelling Paradigms" in February'13 by the College of Information Science, University of Tsukuba, Japan
   • Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
     • Chang M. Psychophysical and EEG Responses Comparison in Spatial Visual, Audiovisual and Auditory Brain Computer Interface Spelling Paradigms [Bachelor Degree Thesis]. School of Informatics - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2013.
     • Chang M, Nishikawa N, Cai Z, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Psychophysical Responses Comparison in Spatial Auditory, Visual, and Audiovisual BCI-Spelling Paradigms. In: Proceedings of The 6th International Conference on Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems, and The 13th International Symposium on Advanced Intelligent Systems. Kobe, Japan; 2012. p. 2154–2157. Available from: link.
   • Awards:
     • University of Tsukuba College of Information Science Head Award 2013.
2. Hiromu Mori
   • BSc degree awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "P300 Response Tactile Brain Computer Interface Application to Finger and Head Positions" in February'13 by the College of Information Science, University of Tsukuba, Japan
   • Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
     • Mori H. P300 Response Tactile Brain Computer Interface Application to Finger and Head Positions [Bachelor Degree Thesis]. School of Informatics - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2013.
     • Mori H, Matsumoto Y, Makino S, Kryssanov V, Rutkowski TM. Vibrotactile Stimulus Frequency Optimization for the Haptic BCI Prototype. In: Proceedings of The 6th International Conference on Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems, and The 13th International Symposium on Advanced Intelligent Systems. Kobe, Japan; 2012. p. 2150–2153. Available from: [link].

Academic year 2011/2012

BSc students

1. Yoshihiro Matsumoto
   • BSc degree with honors awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "A Study of Various Types and Lengths of Auditory Steady-State Response Stimuli for Brain Machine Interface" in February'12 by the College of Information Science, University of Tsukuba, Japan
   • Received the College of Information Science Association Award 2012 for his project, thesis and presentation
   • Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
     • Matsumoto Y. A Study of Various Types and Lengths of Auditory Steady-State Response Stimuli for Brain Machine Interface [Bachelor Degree Thesis with Honors]. School of Informatics - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2012.
     • Matsumoto Y, Nishikawa N, Makino S, Yamada T, Rutkowski TM. Auditory steady-state response stimuli based BCI application - the optimization of the stimuli types and lengths. In: Signal Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA ASC), 2012 Asia-Pacific; 2012. p. 1–7. Paper ID 285. Available from: [link].
     • Matsumoto Y, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Steady-State Auditory Responses Application to BCI/BMI. In: Bandyopadhyay A, editor. Proceedings of The Second International Workshop on Brain Inspired Computing (BIC2012). Tsukuba, Japan: NIMS; 2012. p. poster #2.2.
     • Nishikawa N, Matsumoto Y, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. The spatial real and virtual sound stimuli optimization for the auditory BCI. In: Signal Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA ASC), 2012 Asia-Pacific; 2012. p. 1–9. Paper ID 356. Available from: [link].
     • Rutkowski TM, Cai Z, Nishikawa N, Matsumoto Y, Makino S, Looney D, et al. A multi-command spatial auditory BMI based on evoked EEG responses from real and virtual sound stimuli. In: 2012 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Brain Machine Interfaces: Non-Invasive Methods. New Orleans, LA, USA: Society for Neuroscience; 2012. p. Program No. 891.16. Online. Available from: [link].
2. Nozomu Nishikawa
   • BSc degree awarded after a defense of the thesis entitled "Spatial Sound Stimuli Optimization for Auditory Localization Based Brain-Machine Interface" in February'12 by the College of Information Science, University of Tsukuba, Japan
   • Publications while at BCI-lab-group:
     • Nishikawa N. Spatial Sound Stimuli Optimization for Auditory Localization Based Brain-Machine Interface [Bachelor Degree Thesis]. School of Informatics - University of Tsukuba. Tsukuba, Japan; 2012.
     • Nishikawa N, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. Analysis of Brain Responses to Spatial Real and Virtual Sounds - A BCI/BMI Approach. In: Bandyopadhyay A, editor. Proceedings of The Second International Workshop on Brain Inspired Computing (BIC2012). Tsukuba, Japan: NIMS; 2012. p. poster #2.3 (The Best Poster Award).
     • Nishikawa N, Matsumoto Y, Makino S, Rutkowski TM. The spatial real and virtual sound stimuli optimization for the auditory BCI. In: Signal Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA ASC), 2012 Asia-Pacific; 2012. p. 1–9. Paper ID 356. Available from: [link].
     • Rutkowski TM, Cai Z, Nishikawa N, Matsumoto Y, Makino S, Looney D, et al. A multi-command spatial auditory BMI based on evoked EEG responses from real and virtual sound stimuli. In: 2012 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Brain Machine Interfaces: Non-Invasive Methods. New Orleans, LA, USA: Society for Neuroscience; 2012. p. Program No. 891.16. Online. Available from: [link].