Ariel Garten

Ariel Garten is a neuroscientist, innovator, and entrepreneur known for co-founding InteraXon, the company behind Muse, a brain-sensing headband that provides real-time feedback on brain activity to support meditation and mindfulness. Garten's career spans neuroscience research at Toronto's Krembil Neuroscience Centre, where she investigated Parkinson's disease and hippocampal neurogenesis, as well as creative work as a fashion designer with collections featured at Toronto Fashion Week and the Art Gallery of Ontario. This combination of scientific and artistic experience informs her work in non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, enabling users to interact with devices and environments through thought, as demonstrated in projects such as the Responsive Room and thought-controlled prototypes for appliances and games.

Garten has delivered TED and TEDx talks, including "Know Thyself, With a Brain Scanner" and "Redefining Consciousness," where she discusses how brain-scanning technology can foster self-awareness and help individuals tune into their inner states. As Chief Evangelist Officer at Muse, she advocates for accessible mental health tools, drawing on her background as a psychotherapist trained in neuro-linguistic programming to support people in overcoming mental obstacles and developing meditation skills. Her demonstrations, such as mind-controlling lights on landmarks like the CN Tower during the Winter Olympics, showcase the potential of brain-computer interface technology.

Garten is a global speaker on neuroscience, entrepreneurship, innovation, and women in business, offering insights into brain function and personal development. Her interdisciplinary work, from commercializing brain-interface technology in collaboration with researchers like Dr. Steve Mann to leading a Silicon Valley-backed startup, positions her as a prominent voice in human cognition and resilience. Through Muse, Garten continues to make brain training and neuroscience accessible for everyday self-improvement.