Mr. João Saraiva is a recent graduate of the Technical University of Lisbon with dual masters' degrees in Computer Engineering and Bioengineering. Throughout his studies he developed a passion for the intersection of neurosciences and biomedical computation. For the past year he has focused his research on human biosignals (EEG and fMRI) neuroengineering and machine learning. In particular, one of his master’s theses centred on epileptic seizure prediction, whereas the other focused on multimodal electrocardiogram denoising. These projects have allowed him to develop a strong foundation in data analysis and state-of-the-art traditional and deep learning techniques, which he is now eager to apply to Alzheimer’s research.
Abstract:
Neuroengineering concerns with the study of all aspects of neural systems by means of engineering methods and tools. Neural systems can be studied from the very cellular field up to the nervous system as a whole; and with methods from the wet lab to the computer bench. In this later form, computer scientists play an important role in aiding neural research. In this talk we will discuss a compendium of some neuroengineering projects from the perspective of computer science itself, ranging from biosignal and medical image processing methods (EEG, fMRI, ECG), to more modern artificial intelligence methods (multi-agent behaviour, ICA, deep neural networks), to software engineering (production of scientific software). Some of these projects answer fundamental questions, such as the feasibility of drug delivery with genetic circuits, and how oxygen consumption of some brain areas is correlated to their actual participation in metabolic pathways. Some other projects propose solutions to specific applications, namely automatic processing of autistic EEG, and the anticipated prediction of epileptic seizures in the ambulatory. In common are the multidisciplinary teams that work on these projects and how computer science is indispensable and integral in all of them.
The event is open to anyone interested!