A self-described cyborg and avid BCI enthusiast, Nathan Copeland is a trailblazer in the sphere of brain-computer interface (BCI) research. At 37 years old, Nathan has the longest history of BCI implantation, marking a significant milestone in this pioneering field. His journey into the world of BCIs was sparked by a 2004 car incident, which resulted in him living with quadriplegia. Nonetheless, this life-altering event did not dampen his spirit; instead, it fueled his desire to help push technology forward so that future generations in similar situations can have more fulfilling lives.

For more than eight transformative years, Nathan has been an integral part of a BCI study at the University of Pittsburgh. His brain is home to four micro-electrode arrays - two each in the motor and sensory cortices. This setup allows Nathan to control a robotic arm and receive sensory feedback, a groundbreaking achievement in the BCI field.

The highlights of Nathan's journey are numerous and varied, including a handshake with a U.S. President, achieving his dream of visiting Japan, and making valuable contributions to conferences, companies, and publications through his experiences and insights. In addition to commanding a robotic arm, Nathan has harnessed his BCI to perform cursor-based computer tasks, with his favorite applications being a drawing program and playing video games such as Pac Man and Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

In an exciting development four years ago, Nathan started testing a portable BCI system that offered basic cursor control and keyboard and mouse emulation, albeit with less power. When circumstances required him to stay home during the quarantine, Nathan embraced the opportunity to further explore his love for gaming and digital art. This exploration led to the creation of a unique NFT cat drawing that he later sold.

This year brought new avenues for Nathan's creativity. His art is now displayed at a BCI art exhibit at the American Association for the Advancement of Science museum in Washington D.C., and he has a new enhanced system for home use. Driven by his past experiences and propelled by his accomplishments, Nathan plans to dedicate more time to digital art creation and gaming. Nathan Copeland's journey symbolizes not just personal resilience and passion for technology, but also embodies the potential and progress in BCI research. His experiences have established him as a pioneering figure in this rapidly evolving field.