Surya Pandiaraju is a PhD student in the Biomedical Engineering department at The Johns Hopkins University. He earned his undergraduate degree in BME from the University of Waterloo and has experience with neural data analysis in both industry and academic contexts. Surya is interested in translational research leveraging methods in neural signal processing and machine learning to improve tools and treatments for clinicians and patients.
Mahsa Khoshkhou is a Postdoctoral researcher in the Biomedical Engineering Department at The Johns Hopkins University. She is analyzing intracranial EEG data to unravel how cognitive efforts suppress epilepsy seizures. Her research is advised by Professor Sridevi Sarma and Dr. Joon Yi-Kang, MD. She earned her BSc, MSc, and PhD in Physics from Shiraz University. She has been developing computational models of biologically inspired spiking neural networks for several years and served as a Postdoctoral researcher in computational neuroscience at Washington University School of Medicine and the Mind/Brain Institute at The Johns Hopkins University. Her research interests include neural synchronization, biological frameworks of reinforcement learning, and associative memory formation.
Zach Gold is a Biomedical Engineering major and Entrepreneurship & Management Minor going into his senior year. His primary focus area is Imaging and Medical Devices, which has led him to various experiences at the intersection of neuroscience and BME, including EEGs for cortical organoids and numerous devices for patients with spinal cord injuries. Outside of the lab, Zach is also working on a MedTech startup and leading a BME Design Team. Zach is excited for his time at the NCSL!
Rina Dirickson is an undergraduate student majoring in neuroscience and biophysics. Drawing from her personal medical experience, she is interested in using both biological and computational methods to advance the treatment of epilepsy and psychogenic non-epileptic attacks. Outside of research she loves being involved in STEM educational outreach initiatives in Maryland.
Clara Lemaitre is a PhD candidate in the Biomedical Engineering Department at the Johns Hopkins University with a BE in Computer Engineering and a BS in Computer Science from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. At Hopkins, she is investigating biomarkers for neuropsychiatric disorders and is jointly advised by Sridevi Sarma and Adam Charles. Her research interests include neural signal processing, machine learning, and computational psychiatry.
Kyra Bowden is an undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Engineering. She is interested in leveraging computational research methods to refine epilepsy treatment. She is currently studying the relationship between cognitive effort and seizure suppression. In her free time she enjoys rock climbing and swimming.
Armelle Varillas is an undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Engineering. They plan to pursue a focus area in Medical Imaging and Devices with a connection to Artificial Intelligence. Outside of research, they enjoy playing ultimate frisbee, lifting weights, and are planning on becoming a personal trainer.
Autumn Williams is a PhD candidate in the Biomedical Engineering Department at the Johns Hopkins University with a BS+MEng in Operations Research from Cornell University and an MS in Biomedical Engineering. Prior to joining the graduate program at Hopkins, she worked as a Senior Analyst in Clinical Integration Services for MedStar Health. At Hopkins, she is investigating quantitative electrophysiological biomarkers of disorders of consciousness. Her research interests include neural signal processing, biostatistics, machine learning, and neuroethics.
Daniel Wang is an undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Engineering and Applied Mathematics & Statistics. He’s fascinated by the brain sciences and is interested in learning more about how brain-computer interfaces can be used to help people living with disabilities. As hobbies, he enjoys running, reading, and (slowly but surely) improving his novice chess skills.