Machine Learning Engineer (Graph-ML)

• Sep 2023 - Present

Senior Scientist

• Aug 2022 - Aug 2023

• Leadership of AI-driven target identification, validation and other drug discovery programmes. • Deployment and co-design of AI models for target identification and prioritisation. • Use of Large Language Models and systematic assessment of output accuracy. • Evaluation of AI prediction alignment with desired scientific objectives. • Consultation on tech products design and usability to provide biological expertise. • Data analysis and presentation of scientific results to multi-disciplinary teams. • Cross-functional collaboration in a dynamic and agile environment. Show less

Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate

• Aug 2021 - Aug 2022

• Project management: designed, led and executed multiple workstreams of research to address fundamental questions in biology and neuroscience.• Securing funding: awarded £250k to conduct innovative research plan designed in collaboration with leading international scientists.• Research budget management: directly managed resources, experimental strategy and associated costs of a multi-year research plan.• Team development: managed junior team members while working closely with Principal Investigators to develop optimal research strategies.• Data acquisition and analysis: solid experience in programming and machine learning to process and model large multi-dimensional datasets.• Data reporting and presentation: presented findings to international audiences at numerous conferences and practical courses.• Scientific method and writing: strong track record of peer-reviewed publications in high-impact scientific journals.• Cross-functional collaboration: liaised with international scientists from different fields to develop research tools now available globally. Show less

Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Research Fellow

• Feb 2017 - Jul 2021

• Designed and led research projects to understand how the visual and motor systems coordinate their activity to select and execute appropriate behaviours. • Worked closely with Principal Investigator (Dr Isaac Bianco) to optimise team research strategies, track results and provide insights during recruitment.• Managed and mentored numerous PhD and MSc students while teaching experimental and analytical methods and providing supervision.• Built communal analytical pipelines to standardise processing, statistical modelling and visualisation of multi-dimensional time-series data (Python, MATLAB).• Analysed large datasets obtained via in-vivo imaging of neural population activity, high-speed behavioural tracking and neural circuit-breaking techniques. • Developed innovative optical and genetic methods to record and manipulate activity in neural networks via 2-photon calcium imaging and optogenetics.• Collaborated internationally (Claire Wyart Laboratory, ICM Paris) to benchmark novel optogenetic tools and make them available to the research community. Show less

PHD Researcher in Neuroscience and Molecular Biology

• Apr 2013 - Jan 2017

• Worked to understand how the retina processes visual information and how neural circuits are assembled during development via in-vivo calcium imaging, pharmacology and circuit-breaking techniques (Professor Robert Hindges and Dr Martin Meyer laboratories). • Analysed systems-level datasets of neural activity and anatomical data (Python, MATLAB). • Developed and maintained mutant animal lines generated via CRISPR/cas9 genome-editing and Tol2 transgenesis. • Acted as PhD student representative liaising with Department Director and PhD student community. • Founding member and IT officer of the NEUReka! Seminar Series. Show less

Research Assistant

• Oct 2012 - Mar 2013

• Designed and generated transgenic animal lines expressing genetically encoded fluorescent proteins via transposon-mediated genome engineering. • Performed multiplexed in-situ hybridisation, immunohistochemistry, and molecular cloning of plasmids and bacterial artificial chromosomes.

Research Assistant Intern

• Mar 2010 - Feb 2011

• Participated in the development of innovative 2-photon microscopy techniques to optically record voltage signals from populations of neurons. • Performed histological and staining procedures to prepare brain tissue for recordings and analysed optically recorded voltage spiking patterns. • Participated in the development of innovative 2-photon microscopy techniques to optically record voltage signals from populations of neurons. • Performed histological and staining procedures to prepare brain tissue for recordings and analysed optically recorded voltage spiking patterns.