https://www.decodingbio.com

Northpond Ventures is a science-focused venture capital firm located in Bethesda, Boston, and San Francisco. The firm seeks to invest in companies operating in the artificial intelligence, machine learning, diagnostics, life science, biology and therapeutics sectors.

My thesis work was in the Laboratory for Computational Cognitive Neuroscience with Max Riesenhuber. I investigated perceptual and language processing in the human brain through the sense of touch. We used fMRI and EEG combined with a high-dimensional vibrotactile prosthesis to investigate the neural basis for sensory learning. We trained human participants to perceive natural speech that has been transformed into complex vibrotactile patterns, with the goal of interfacing the somatosensory and language systems. Through this paradigm, we can address fundamental questions of sensory processing and cross-sensory learning in the brain. Understanding these general principles is of practical importance for a number of clinical and commercial applications: - the rational design of neuroprostheses for hearing and vision disorders- adapting somatosensory cortex for speech perception in rehabilitation after stroke- communication through touch in noisy environments, such as the cockpit of a planeFull description of the project: http://maxlab.neuro.georgetown.edu/ongoingprojects.html

Postbaccalaureate fellow in the Human Motor Control Section of the Medical Neurology Branch at NIH. Projects included characterization of resting state neural networks in Parkinson's disease and Tourette syndrome (Tinaz, Malone, et al., 2015; Tinaz, Belluscio, Malone et al., 2015) using fMRI, and assessment of post-operative impedance of deep brain stimulation implants at the tissue-electrode interface (Lungu, Malone, et al., 2013). Also investigated potential biomarkers for Parkinson's disease using multimodal imaging techniques such as MRI, fMRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and transcranial sonography.

Completed an honors thesis entitled "Cutaneous Trunci Muscle (CTM) Reflex as a Model for Neural Plasticity Associated with Changes in Pain Processing after Spinal Cord Injury". Also assisted in other projects investigating neural plasticity and repair that leads to functional recovery after spinal cord injury.Developed skills in skills in electrophysiology and signal processing, animal surgery, histology, and microscopy.

Conducted research in the area of peripheral nerve regeneration and the interfacing of peripheral nerves for prosthetic limb control. Gained experience in histology, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, and cryosectioning.