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Mulugeta Semework

Associate Research Scientist at Columbia University in the City of New York
mulugetas@gmail.com
Researcher in Neuroscience 12 years of experience in experimental design, real-time programming, gathering and analysis of complex behavioral and neural data, machine-learning/computational neuroscience tools. Programming in Python, R, Matlab, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, C, expert in software/hardware prototyping. Use of complex systems such as MRI machines and real-time high-impedance sensing devices. Science collaboration and communication, presented to global and expert audiences (international conferences), medical writing, editor-at-large: Columbia University Postdocs Newsletter. Published 8 peer-reviewed scientific articles with international audience. Awardee of 4 fellowships including the prestigious NARSAD Young Investigator award.
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Work Experience

Columbia University Medical Center

Associate Research Scientist
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Sep 2015 - Current
  • Data-mined more than 1000 old neural data files, recorded from more than 500 single neurons, & performed signal & statistical analysis to improve unit count by 30%
  • Collected & analyzed behavioral metrics/data (eye-movements, decision/reaction times).
  • ■ Spear-headed interdepartmental project to design/test a primate MRI RF coil, im- proving signal quality by about 25%, decreasing scan time & expense by 25%, helping other researchers, & ultimately attracting all of the principal investigators in the center to use the suite exclusively.
  • ■ Coded (JavaScript, HTML & CSS) and released website: Goldberg Lab at Columbia

Columbia University Medical Center

Research Scientist
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Sep 2013 - Sep 2015

Columbia University Medical Center

Postdoctoral Fellow
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Sep 2011 - Sep 2013

Education

State University of New York Downstate Medical Center

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Neurobiology and Behavior
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2004 - 2010

Main subjects: Robotic arm movements, kinematics, dynamics, neural network computations, programming, NEURON.

Thesis: ”Microstimulation for Somatosensory Neuroprosthesis: Mapping di- rect responses & afferent modulation in somatosensory cortex & ventral pos- terolateral thalamus subnuclei”.

Collected about 5 GB of neural, eye & hand movement data every day, analyzed & submitted weekly reports to help DARPA (funding agency) interpret the results

Used simultaneous microstimulation & recording neural data to study causal relation- ships between the cortex & the thalamus resulting in a peer-reviewed publication

Wrote a GUI/code for spike-triggered brain/tactile stimulation, & developed a software for MRI 3D localization of brain structures improving surgery precision

Georgia State University

Master of Science (MS) Neurobiogy
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1999 - 2000

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev & Alemaya Univ. MSc (defence pending), Plant /biochemistry

Projects

Invented a unique imaging compound (in use by a few laboratories, patented by Columbia University)(U.S. Patent No.: PCT/US2015/034360)

Applied Granger causality, Akaike Information Criteria, & pattern recognition, wrote a Graphic User Interface (GUI) & algorithm/code to get real-time financial market performances for more than 5000 symbols & forecast their prospect in few minutes, with close to 65% accuracy

Skills

  • Artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistical analysis, model validation, forecasting, outlier detection, prediction, real-time paradigms, behavioral tasks & metrics, hardware prototyping, image processing, financial analysis, medical writing, editing