Vivek Nagaraj

PhD - 2016

E-MAIL: [email protected]

Thesis Title:

Optimizing electrical stimulation for seizure disorders.

Current Position:

AI/ML Staff Engineer, Lockheed Martin

Previous Positions:

Data Scientist, Boston Scientific

Data Scientist, Preventice Solutions

Artificial Intelligence Scientist, Honeywell Aerospace

Senior Data Scientist, Nonin Medical, Inc.

UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTION AND MAJOR:

  • University of Texas at Dallas, MS in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience, 2011
  • University of Texas at Dallas, BS in Biology, 2007

GRADUATE ADVISOR:

Theoden Netoff, Ph.D., Department of Biomedical Engineering

THESIS COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

DESCRIPTION OF GRADUATE RESEARCH:

My thesis work involves: 1) characterization of the effects of different focal electrical stimulation parameters, such as pulse amplitude, frequency, and the like, on neural dynamics, 2) generating predictive models of stimulus-neural interactions, and 3) applying these models in real-time closed-loop experiments to control seizures in an in vivo model of epilepsy.

RESEARCH CATEGORIES:

  • Computational Neuroscience
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases and Neural Injury
  • Neuroengineering

GRADUATE LEVEL AWARDS AND HONORS:

  • IWSP7: Epilepsy mechanisms, models, prediction and control travel award, 2015
  • Epilepsy Foundation Pre-doctoral Fellowship, 2014
  • Organization for Computational Neuroscience Travel Award, 2013
  • GAPSA Travel Award, 2013
  • 3M Science and Technology Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, 2011

GRADUATE LEVEL PUBLICATIONS:

  • Nagaraj V, Lamperski A, Netoff TI. Seizure control in a computational model using a reinforcement learning stimulation paradigm.Int J Neural Syst. 2017;27(7):1750012.
  • Mendrela A, Cho J, Fredenburg J, Nagaraj V, Netoff TI, Flynn M, Yoon E. A bi-directional neural interface circuit with active stimulation artifact cancellation and cross-channel common-mode noise suppression. IEEE J Solid State Circuit 2016;51(4):955-965.
  • Nagaraj V, Lee S, Krook-Magnuson E, Soltesz I, Benquet P, Irazoqui P, Netoff TI. Future of seizure prediction and intervention: closing the loop. J Clin Neurophysiol. 2015;32:194-206.

GRADUATE LEVEL ABSTRACTS:

  • Nagaraj V, Netoff TI. (2015) Seizure suppression in a computational model using a reinforcement learning deep brain stimulation strategy. IWSP7: Epilepsy mechanisms, models, prediction and control.
  • Nagaraj V, Netoff TI. (2015) Developing adaptive stimulation algorithms to modulate hippocampal and seizure dynamics. Neuromodulation Symposium, University of MN.
  • Nagaraj V, Yang XF, Parhi K, Henry T, Netoff TI. (2014) Seizure suppression through endopiriform nucleus (EnPirNu) stimulation in an in vivo model. Neuromodulation Symposium, University of Minnesota
  • Nagaraj V, Netoff TI. (2013) Spontaneous Ca++ oscillations in astrocytes initiate high-frequency oscillations in model hippocampal network. Computational Neuroscience Conference, University of Minnesota
  • Nagaraj V, Netoff TI. (2013) An astrocytic basis for high frequency oscillations. 17th Annual Graduate Program in Neuroscience Retreat.

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS:

  • Optimizing Deep Brain Stimulation for seizure suppression in an acute model of epilepsy. Neuroscience Colloquium. Minneapolis, MN. May 6th, 2015
  • Development of novel deep brain stimulation therapies for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.  Neuroscience Colloquium. Minneapolis, MN. July 2nd, 2014.

ROTATIONS:

GPN COMMITTEES:

  • Curriculum and Exam Committee, 2014 - present
  • Council of Graduate Students 2012 - 2013

OTHER COMMITTEE INVOLVEMENT:

  • University of Minnesota, Student Senator 2012-2013

PROFESSIONAL OUTREACH:

  • Minnesota State Fair, Graduate Program in Neuroscience booth, St. Paul, MN, August 2013.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

  • Society for Neuroscience, 2015 – present
  • American Epilepsy Society, 2015 – present
  • Organization for Computational Neuroscience, 2013 – 2014

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MN?

I chose the UMN because of the strong curriculum, Itasca boot camp, and a wide range of research areas among the faculty.

STUDENT MENTOR AND THE BEST ADVICE THEY GAVE.

Focus and work hard on courses. When you pick your lab, begin with a straightforward and well-defined experimental project, or work on developing analysis and statistical skills on previously collected data in the lab. There will be plenty of time and opportunities to do more complicated projects and experiments.

Vivek Nagaraj