About Onyeka Idiaghe

About

Onyeka Idiaghe is an accessibility advocate and neurotechnology researcher working at the intersection of brain-computer interfaces, disability justice, and emerging technology ethics.

She's a freshman at UCLA studying Cognitive Science with a Computing Specialization, but her work in accessible neurotechnology began years earlier. At 16, she started building BCI projects and writing about the accessibility gaps she noticed in the field. That early work caught the attention of researchers and companies who were asking the same questions: how do we build neural interfaces that work for everyone's brain, not just one type?

Since then, she's consulted for some of the most prominent organizations in neurotechnology, published research at a top university, and built educational tools that have reached thousands of students. Her work focuses on a question most people in tech ignore: who gets left behind when we build the future?

Experience

Neuralink — Accessibility Consultant, Summer 2024

Joined as subject matter expert on accessibility following public advocacy work highlighting gaps in neural interface design. Identified critical accessibility barriers in the N1 implant software and Link charging case through user research with assistive technology users. Drove hardware team adoption of tactile feedback mechanisms and voice-guided setup flows. Work directly informed product roadmap for accessibility features in the implant's next iteration.

University of Cambridge — Research Contributor, 2023-2024

Published research on using generative adversarial networks (GANs) to create inclusive synthetic datasets for brain-computer interfaces. Current BCI training data predominantly represents able-bodied users, limiting effectiveness for people with disabilities. This work addresses the fundamental data bias that makes most neural interfaces unusable for disabled users. Research cited by multiple neurotechnology companies in accessibility initiatives.

Cognixion — Product Advisory Council, 2022-2025

Serves on product advisory board for Axon-R, an AR-enabled BCI communication device for people with complex communication needs. Provides quarterly UX feedback and strategic input on feature prioritization from the perspective of accessibility and user experience. Contributions implemented in 1,000+ devices currently in use by people with cerebral palsy, ALS, and other conditions affecting speech.

Kernel, OpenBCI, Emotiv — Accessibility Consulting, 2023-2024

Consulted with multiple consumer neurotechnology companies on inclusive product design. Developed accessibility frameworks and action plans to improve device usability for diverse populations. Presented at company all-hands on making BCIs accessible to users with motor impairments, visual impairments, and cognitive disabilities.

Neurovivid / TERC — Curriculum Developer, 2023-Present

Developed hands-on neurotechnology curriculum for middle school students, with specific focus on making the field accessible to neurodivergent learners and students from underrepresented backgrounds. Created 12+ project-based modules translating complex neuroscience concepts into engaging, accessible education. Curriculum used in programs serving hundreds of students.

Character Lab — Youth Research Platform, 2022-Present

Co-developed student-researcher platform connecting youth to research opportunities in psychology and behavioral science. Platform has supported 200+ student researchers and reached thousands of school districts. Led peer mentorship initiatives and created resources for students without traditional access to research experience.

Recognition & Funding

  • Masason Foundation Scholar — One of 50 students globally selected for leadership and innovation in technology (2024)
  • Creative Destruction Lab Fellow — Accepted into startup accelerator for work on accessible neurotechnology (2024)
  • Mercatus Center Emergent Ventures Grant Recipient — Funding for BCI accessibility research and education initiatives (2023)
  • Civics Unplugged Fellow — Selected for youth civic innovation cohort (2023)

Published Work & Media

Interlinked Newsletter — Founded tech ethics newsletter in 2022 that grew to 5,000+ subscribers. Published 100,000+ words over two years covering AI, neurotechnology, biotech, and the intersection of emerging technology and human values. Newsletter archived in 2024 to focus on other projects.

Eon Magazine — Two-time top 2% finalist (out of 5,000+ entries) in ethics essay contest. Essays on AI consciousness and neural privacy. Work recognized for rigor and clarity in explaining complex technical concepts with ethical implications.

Amplifitica — Published 50,000-word science fiction anthology exploring ethical questions across AI, neurotechnology, and biotechnology. Used speculative fiction to examine questions about consciousness, agency, and human augmentation (2023).

Medium & TikTok — Created educational content about brain-computer interfaces and neurotechnology reaching 100,000+ people. Technical tutorials and explainers making neuroscience accessible to non-experts. Featured in multiple neurotechnology publications and newsletters.

Technical Projects

Built 6+ brain-computer interface projects including sleep modulation devices, emotion-responsive LED systems, and brain-controlled interfaces using EEG, Arduino, and Python. Published technical methods and documentation to help others build accessible BCI projects. Work featured in maker communities and neurotechnology education resources.

Her work has been shaped by a straightforward belief: the technologies we're building today—neural interfaces, AI systems, biotech—will fundamentally change what it means to be human. If we're not intentional about who gets to benefit from these advances, we'll replicate the same inequalities we've always had, now hardcoded into the tools that augment our minds.

That's not acceptable. So she's dedicated her career to making sure it doesn't happen.

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