Pioneer
Biography
Pete Seaba built a distinguished career centered around electrical engineering, particularly in the field of electroencephalography. He began his professional journey with the Division of Electroencephalography at the University of Iowa, where he assisted teaching electronics and instrumentation as part of the first EEG Technologist Training Course at the University. This was followed by a formative experience at the National Security Agency where he developed an interest in cryptology. Returning to Iowa, he held a long tenure as an electrical engineer within the Electroencephalography (EEG) Laboratory at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, demonstrating a consistent commitment to the field.
Throughout his career, Pete’s expertise extended beyond the academic and public sectors. He spent several years in the private sector as a product manager for electroencephalographic instruments at Nicolet and Bio-logic Systems Corp., before returning to the University of Iowa in 1991. There, in the Division of Clinical Electrophysiology, his work involved the design, construction, and maintenance of sophisticated instrumentation, alongside a dedication to educating the next generation of EEG technologists – a role he began as early as 1966.
Pete’s contributions were recognized both nationally and internationally. He actively participated in drafting the International Electrotechnical Commission performance standard for electroencephalographs, traveling extensively for this work. He shared his knowledge through numerous presentations and publications, and was twice honored with the Maureen Berkeley Award for his impactful educational articles in electroneurodiagnostic technology.
Interview with ASET Historical Advisory Committee
Pete Seaba, an Electrical Engineering graduate from the University of Iowa, discussed his career in EEG and diagnostics. He began in 1966 after a pivotal psychology experiment and worked for 29.5 years at the University of Iowa and with the Department of Defense. Early influences included John R. Knott and Dale McAdams. Seaba highlighted the field’s growth in the 1970s with evoked potentials and sleep studies. He noted the limitations of early equipment like GRASS models and the challenges of startup companies. Seaba emphasized advancements in portability, data reporting, and epilepsy diagnostics, and current efforts to increase accuracy and convert electrical maps to magnetic maps.