Steven is a Research Engineer and Scientist, managing day-to-day operations at the I-LABS MEG Brain Imaging Center. His current research interests include discerning the cortical pathways involved in language development, and developing signal processing techniques to improve the analysis and localization of neural activity using SQUID- and OPM-based MEG systems. His previous work involved the application of multi-unit recording electrodes to assess sound encoding in the auditory brainstem; modeling the activation of the auditory nerve to electrical stimulation to improve hearing outcomes in cochlear implant patients; and the development and testing of a novel vestibular implant for the treatment of balance disorders.

Following a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Bierer received an M.S.E. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Michigan. He conducted post-doctoral work in neurophysiology at U.C. San Francisco before coming to the University of Washington in 2005.