Dr Nayagam has a background in electrical engineering and completed his PhD in auditory neuroscience and electrophysiology at the University of Melbourne and The Bionic Ear Institute (BEI).

Dr Nayagam heads the Eric Bauer Nano-Bionics Laboratory which is part of the multidiscplinary ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science. Using nanobionic technology and novel polymers fabricated at The University of Wollongong, David's research is focussed on improving communication with brain cells using hi-fidelity electrodes as well as rerouting damaged nerve cells in the spinal cord.

An important fist step in this research is the completion of a biocompatibility study of carbon nanotubes to ensure they are safe for use, an area that has received considerable attention recently in both the public and scientific domains.

▪ Novel surgical models for testing the efficacy of bio-polymers for use as scaffolds in repairing spinal cord injury.

▪ Biocompatibility of carbon nanotubes.

▪ Biocompatibility of carbon nanotubes

▪ Bionic eye

1. Nayagam DAX, Clarey JC, Paolini AG (2009) Extracellular Responses and Spatial Distribution of Rat Ventral Complex of the Lateral Lemniscus Neurons: A Link Between Extracellular and Intracellular Studies. (Manuscript under preparation).

2. Nayagam DAX (2007) Intracellular and Extracellular Responses, Morphology, and Spatial Distribution of Neurons in the Ventral Complex of the Lateral Lemniscus. Unpublished PhD thesis, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria.

3. Nayagam DAX, Clarey JC, Paolini AG (2006) Intracellular Responses and Morphology of Rat Ventral Complex of the Lateral Lemniscus Neurons In Vivo. J Comp Neurol 498:295-315.

4. Nayagam DAX, Clarey JC, Paolini AG (2005) Powerful, Onset Inhibition in the Ventral Nucleus of the Lateral Lemniscus. J Neurophysiol 94:1651-1654.

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