Brief Bio
Noelle Stiles is a postdoctoral scholar-research associate at USC Keck School of Medicine. Her graduate research was performed at Caltech in the Computation and Neural Systems Doctoral Program and focused on the design and evaluation of sensory substitution devices for rehabilitation of the blind. She earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Southern California in 2009, majoring in Biophysics with a minor in Neuroscience within the USC College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences. Dr. Stiles has been awarded 11 grants and fellowships since the begining of graduate school. She is a 2020 BRAIN Initiative NIH NEI K99/R00 Fellow, a 2016 Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellow, a 2013 Mary Louise Remy Endowed P.E.O. Scholar, and a 2011 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow (NSF GRFP). A five year training and research grant with 2 years of postdoctoral scholar funding (K99) and a three year research grant as a faculty member (R00) The NIH BRAIN (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) Initiative "is aimed at revolutionizing our understanding of the human brain. By accelerating the development and application of innovative technologies, researchers will be able to produce a revolutionary new dynamic picture of the brain that, for the first time, shows how individual cells and complex neural circuits interact in both time and space." A one year grant to support M.D.Õs and Ph.D.Õs pursuing clinical research programs Research Project: ÒRestoring Sight to the Blind: Neural Imaging with Retinal ProsthesesÓ A travel award supported by NIH National Eye Institute to present research at the Vision Sciences Society (VSS) Annual Meeting in St. Pete’s Beach, Florida Applications reviewed by a subcommittee of the VSS Board of Directors. A three year research fellowship and grant from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman foundation for postdoctoral research scholars. "The Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows Award Program supports postdoctoral scholars with the highest potential for success in an independent academic career in chemistry and the life sciences, to assist in their transition from Òmentored yet independentÓ postdoctoral projects to an independent, tenure-track position. These individuals are expected to become the next generation of leaders and innovators in science, engineering, and technology." Beckman Foundation Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows participate in an annual Beckman Symposium, which provides an opportunity to be mentored, to network with peers, and to present their research. A two year grant to support M.D.Õs and Ph.D.Õs pursuing clinical research programs Research Project: ÒRetinal Prosthesis Neural ImagingÓ A travel grant awarded by the USC Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and the USC Postdoctoral Association. Supported travel to present at the Vision Sciences Society Annual Meeting at St. Pete Beach, Florida in May 2016 Of the 85 PEO scholars each year, 6 scholars are named endowed scholars. P.E.O. Scholar Awards Board of Trustees chooses P.E.O. Scholars of outstanding accomplishments and potential to receive the Endowed Scholar distinction. The Mary Louise Remy Endowed P.E.O. Scholar Award was the first Endowed award and was established through gifts from the California State Chapter in honor of Past President of International Chapter Mary Louise Remy. Competitive grant of $15,000 for senior women graduate students to aid in the completion of their doctoral degree. Evaluation criteria: The nominee’s proposal, potential to make significant contributions in her field(s) of endeavor or for a positive impact on society, recommendations from three university professors or advisers, evidence of scholarly activities, academic awards and honors, academic record, career objectives, and unique academic and global experiences. Awarded to allow a presentation at the Vision Sciences Society Annual meeting in Naples, Florida, 2013. Awarded to allow a presentation at the Vision Sciences Society Annual meeting in Naples, Florida, 2012. Awarded in Psychology - Perception and Psychophysics in 2011. Three year research fellowship including stipend and tuition funds, TeraGrid Supercomputer Access, and international research and professional development opportunities. “As the oldest graduate fellowship of its kind, the GRFP has a long history of selecting recipients who achieve high levels of success in their future academic and professional careers.” NSF GRFP Website (http://www.nsfgrfp.org/about_the_program). The Caltech Fellowship covered a stipend and Caltech graduate tuition and fees for the 2009-2010 academic year. Supported enrollment to the Caltech Computation and Neural Systems, Ph.D. Program. A university-wide prize competition for creativity and innovation in interdisciplinary research. Application Title: “An Intraocular Camera for Retinal Prostheses: Requires qualification as a Discovery Scholar. Certificate presented by President Sample at Graduation Ceremonies, $10,000 prize, and perpetual engraving on the Wall of Scholars in Leavey Library, University of Southern California. Optical Society of America Annual Meeting, September, 2007. Paper: “Intraocular Camera for Retinal Prostheses: Design Constraints Based on Visual Psychophysics”. Recognizes first authors on papers that demonstrate excellent research as well as articulation and intelligence in presentation and debate. Typically awarded only to senior graduate students. University of Southern California Undergraduate Research Symposium for Scholarly and Creative Work; Spring, 2008. Project: “Intraocular Camera for Retinal Prostheses: Design Constraints Based on Visual Psychophysics”. Judging based on potential for societal impact, high novelty, high quality of research, enthusiasm and commitment of students, and diversity across disciplines and approaches. Chosen in the top two out of over 100 entered projects. USC Neuroscience Graduate Program Retreat, September, 2008. Paper: “Intraocular Camera for Retinal Prostheses: Design Constraints Based on Visual Psychophysics”. Voted best paper by the faculty and students of the USC Neuroscience Graduate Program. Only undergraduate receiving an award. University of Southern California, Summer, 2007; Fall, 2007; Spring, 2008; Competitive fellowship to foster future leaders in research and better our society. University of Southern California, Spring, 2009. Competitive fellowship to foster outstanding undergraduate research. Provides support to a USC student majoring in Mathematics or the Natural Sciences. 2008-2009 Academic Year. University of Southern California Alumni Association, 2005-2006; 2006-2007; 2007-2008; 2008-2009. Recognition for “academic excellence, leadership and community involvement”. Recognizes outstanding scholastic work on the part of USC College students through presentation, with a medallion to be worn at commencement. Spring, 2008. Association of Women in Science (AWIS) Educational Foundation, 2005. University of Southern California, 2007-2008; 2008-2009.
Summary
Awards and Honors
BRAIN Initiative K99/R00: Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award (NIH/NEI BRAIN K99/R00), 2020-2025
National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health LRP Training Grant Renewal, 2020-2021
Vision Sciences Society NEI Postdoctoral Travel Grant, 2019
Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows Award, 2016-2019
National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health LRP Training Grant, 2017-2019
Postdoctoral Scholar Training and Travel Award, University of Southern California, 2016
Mary Louise Remy Endowed P.E.O. Scholar, 2013-2014
P.E.O. Scholar Award, 2013-2014
Graduate Student Travel Grant, Caltech Graduate Deans Office, 2013
Graduate Student Travel Grant, Caltech Graduate Deans Office, 2012
National Science Foundation, Graduate Research Fellowship, 2011-2014
National Institute of Health Training Grant and Caltech Engineering and Applied Science Division Fellowship, 2009-2010
Discovery Scholars Prize, University of Southern California, 2009
Restoring Sight to the Blind”.OSA Student Presentation Award, 2007
USC Stevens Institute for Innovation “Most Innovative” Award,
Second Place, 2008
Best Graduate Poster Presentation Award, Third Place, 2008
Rose Hills Undergraduate Research Fellowships
Summer, 2008; Fall, 2008; Summer, 2009.Provost’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship, 2009
Lenore B. Kreiger Endowed Scholarship in Math and the Natural Sciences, 2008-2009
SCion Scholarship Award, 2005-2009
Academic Energy Award Sponsored by The Gas Company, a Sempra Energy Utility, 2008
Citation of Merit, 2005
Alkire Scholarship, 2007-2009