The National Science Foundation awarded a $300,000 Project Grant to Stanford University under the Engineering (47.041) federal grant program. The two-year award will support research into noninvasive neuromodulation using near-infrared light in the 1,000-1,500nm wavelength range. Specifically, the grantee aims to synthesize light-absorbing polymers for targeting transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 ion channels in dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro. The research also plans to demonstrate feasibility of modulating mouse hippocampal activity through the intact scalp and skull with near-infrared light. This work seeks to advance optogenetic techniques by eliminating the need for invasive fiber implantation and allowing free subject behavior, which would further understanding of neural circuitry and behavior relationships. The award commenced July 1, 2022 and is scheduled to conclude by June 30, 2024.