Undergraduate Research Assistant | Computational Neuroscience
CurrentIn my role at the Allen Neurocircuitry and Cognition Lab, I focus on developing and implementing computational tools to analyze electrophysiological brain signals in rats, contributing to research on sleep, memory, and cognition. The lab emphasizes fundamental neuroscience, aiming to unravel how neural circuits underlie brain function and behavior. • Data Analysis & Script Development:I use MATLAB and Python to create custom scripts for analyzing neural recordings for specific features including phase locking between neurons and brain oscillations, coherence across brain regions, power spectral density, and firing rate of neurons. • Sleep Scoring Algorithm Development:I implemented a sleep scoring algorithm that combines rat movement velocity (derived through DeepLabCut pose estimation) and hippocampal local field potentials (LFPs) to identify NREM, REM, wake, and quiet wake states.Advanced Tools for Neural Signal Processing: • DeepLabCut: Applied machine learning for precise pose estimation of rat behavior. • Kilosort: Automated spike sorting to identify firing times of single neurons. • Plexon Offline Sorter: Manual spike sorting using PCA and clustering techniques.This work integrates computational methods with electrophysiology to provide insights into neural activity patterns and brain function, contributing to a deeper understanding of sleep and cognition.
