Creative, versatile, mathematically capable computer scientist / software developer with expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), pattern recognition, and computational neuroscience. Writes well-documented, modular code. Rapidly-learning self-starter able to quickly acquire understanding of new applications, tools, languages, and systems. An intuitive big-picture thinker capable of (and professionally accustomed to) intense detail-focus. Good communication skills: published researcher, excellent writer, has presented talks at conferences, written SBIRs, has teaching experience. A team player, receptive to critical feedback, willing to provide documentation of work to facilitate understanding of future users/developers. Seeking a full-time R&D or research position in AI, pattern recognition, computational neuroscience, gaming/simulation, and/or robotics.
Programmer/Analyst (Postdoctoral Researcher), SUNY Downstate Medical Center: Conducting computational neuroscience research involving spiking neuronal modeling for improvement of prosthetic brain-machine interface technology. Developed a NEURON-based model of reinforcement learning in primary motor cortex (M1) for controlling a virtual arm. Developed a NEURON-based multilayer spiking model of M1 based on mouse M1 connectivity data. Began development of socket interface between NEURON simulation model and Barrett Technologies Whole Arm Manipulator (WAM) robotic arm. Began development of a Python framework for building network models in NEURON. (May, 2010-Sept., 2013)
Freelance Web/Database Developer, Church of the Nazarene Northwestern Illinois District: Developed and deployed a web database application using PHP/MySQL to optimize church online statistics collection from pastors and statistics review and reporting by the district office. (Feb.-Apr., 2010)
Graduate Researcher, Indiana University: Used MATLAB extensively in development, simulation, and data analysis of computational models of neural mechanisms of reinforcement learning and working memory. Dissertation work developed an integrative theory and corresponding model of neural substrate and dopaminergic mechanisms for reinforcement learning of simple stimulus-response tasks. Published journal article proposing a measuring scale for machine volition and also an article on a model of dopaminergic neuromodulation of working memory maintenance. (2002-2009)
AI Programmer, Game Developer, Magic Lantern Playware: Designed and coded opponent tactical artificial intelligence for Windows/PC video games using Visual C++. (2000-2001)
Senior Engineer Software Developer, Sony Electronics: Designed and developed hidden Markov model-based speech recognition / natural language understanding software (using Entropic's HTK) and created Java GUI demo prototype for a voice-controlled jukebox system (using Visual Cafe). (1999)
Engineer/Programmer, ORINCON Corporation: Designed and coded algorithms (mainly in C / UNIX environment) for: hidden Markov model-based phoneme segmentation, sonar detection clustering, communication signal classification, engine fault classification using vibration and operational data, evolutionary programming and genetic algorithms for stellarator parameter optimization, Kalman filter-based tracking and data fusion, fuzzy logic control, and target threat evaluation. Coauthored 2 SBIRs and 4 conference papers. Cleared up to TS-SCI. (1994-1999)
Research Assistant, University of California, San Diego: Conducted research and coauthored and presented paper on audiovisual lip-reading digit-recognition using hidden Markov modeling and linear predictive coding. (1994)
Doctoral degree, a published researcher: see curriculum vitae page.
Graduate Instructor, Indiana University: Taught a semester-long psychology undergraduate introduction to psychology research methods course from own lesson plan. (2005)
Ph.D. in Psychology and Cognitive Science with Certificate
in Modeling in Cognitive Science (March, 2009)
Indiana University, Bloomington
Graduate Advisor: Olaf Sporns, Ph.D.
Dissertation Title: A Neurocomputational Model of the Functional Role of Dopamine in Stimulus-Response Task Learning and Performance (PDF online here)
Awards:
2 years National Institute of Health training grant fellowship in Modeling in Cognition
2 Indiana University Cognitive Science Program Summer Research Fellowships
GPA: 4.0 / 4.0
M.S. in Computer Science (June, 1995)
University of California, San Diego
B.S. in Computer Engineering (May, 1993)
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
High School (June, 1989)
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Charter Class
Cognitive neuroscience, computational neuroscience, neuropsychology, philosophical foundations of cognitive science, dynamical systems, mathematical psychology, partial differential equations, artificial intelligence, pattern recognition, speech recognition, expert systems
Creative writing, music (guitar and composition), Toastmasters: attained Competent Toastmaster (CTM) level
Swarmongers .zip file (~25.6 MB) containing sample code, executable, and documentation for a retro 2D Windows PC video-game I wrote in 2000 (updated to compile and run under Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition: 5/22/09).
Dissertation MATLAB Code .zip file (~0.4 MB) containing MATLAB code and some documentation (e.g. in code_notes_files.m and code_notes_params.m) for the reinforcement learning computational neuroscience model developed in my dissertation.
Prog Rock Database Project my first SQL database web application (under construction). Uses PHP scripting to access and display a MySQL database I created on my 1&1.com account.
Python NEURON Neural Network Framework .zip file (~980 KB) containing some work in progress developing a Python class library (PYNE-NEDL) to allow object-oriented construction of NEURON simulator-based neuronal models.
Spike Timing-Dependent Plasticity Tutorial a tutorial I developed at SUNY Downstate Medical Center for STDP learning in NEURON using mechanisms I developed. The tutorial was written in Sphinx and one of the STDP demos uses the PYNE-NEDL framework.