Simon Lavaud, Phd Email & Phone Number

Switzerland

Leuven, Flandre, Belgique

Spinal circuits are central to movement adaptation and automaticity. Despite decades of evidence supporting the existence of spinal learning and memory traces, the circuit mechanisms responsible for acquiring and retaining learned behavior within the spinal cord remain unclear.During my PhD, we establish a quantitative kinematic framework to characterize a spinal conditioning behavior, where spinal circuits functionally isolated from the brain learn to adapt motor output through multimodal somatosensory integration. My project aims to determine circuit mechanisms: 1) regulating the learning behavior and 2) retaining the previously learned behavior in the spinal cord. We use unbiased kinematic analyses, mouse genetics, virus-mediated circuit manipulations, spinal in-vivo electrophysiological recordings in awake-behaving mice, and optogenetics identification of a specific neuronal population to achieve these goals.Skills and areas of focus:- Behavioural experiments.- Electrophysiology in the in-vivo spinal cord of awake-behaving animals. - Virus-mediated and chemogenetic circuit manipulation.- Implementation of a closed-loop system for kinematic recording (Arduino, Labview, Python, micro-electronics, image analysis).- 3D Kinematics analysis of large datasets and 3D reconstruction (Matlab, python).- Development of mathematical tool for waveform analysis, kinematic analysis, and single-units activity analysis (linear/nonlinear dimensionality reduction technique, clustering algorithm,.. ).- Developing a electrophysiology recording set-up with optogenetics identification (Soldiworks, 3D-printing, homemade probe holder allowing recording with a Neuropixel and an attached optical fiber).

Leuven

Leuven

Région De Paris, France

My auto-entrepreneurship aimed at creating a visual and acoustic tablet integrating algorithms and training protocols to rehabilitate binocular eye movements and vision as effectively as possible.I collaborated with researchers, doctors, and patients to validate the prototype through interdisciplinary teamwork and a startup environment. Paired with an eye-tracking system and an home-made automated platform I developed that comprehensively analyzes various types of eye movements, including saccades, vergences, and accommodation, the system provides robust solutions such as functional assessment, diagnostic capabilities, and neurological rehabilitation.Within just five sessions, the rehabilitation program accelerates the brain's ability to enhance vergence and accommodation, thereby increasing their precision. This, in turn, leads to improved visual clarity, immediately facilitating visual and cognitive treatments.Skills and areas of focus:- MATLAB analysis (signal processing / signal analysis / machine learning)- Digital and analog electronics and microsystem development- Mathematical tools to analyse various types of eye movements- Industrialization processes in a start-up environment- In-depth knowledge of the human vision system- Collaboration with researchers, doctors, and patientshttps://www.orasis-ear.com/fr/produit.php

Dublin, Leinster, Ireland

Undertaking a project aimed at modeling and designing novel prototypes capable of identifying pharmaceutical chemical residues in water. Additionally, focusing on modeling and crafting a new Lab on Disc technology to detect bacterial DNA in food samples.Skills and areas of focus:- CAO software - Microfluidics systems- Biological sample - Innovation oriented

Région De Strasbourg, France

Collaborating with Bürkert SAS to simulate and develop prototypes of a lab-on-chip device designed to detect pharmaceutical contaminants in water.Skills and areas of focus:- COMSOL - Microfluidic systems- ELISA test - Leadership

Classe Préparatoire Mpsi / Psi, Mathématique, Physique, Sciences Industrielles

Activities and Societies: Improvisation theater Preparatory Class for Engineering Schools - Physics and Engineering Sciences - Physics.

Engineer'S Degree, Health, Biotechnology, Engineering

Activities and Societies: Treasurer of the student assossiation (2014-2015) The specialized degree in Information Technology.

Master'S Degree, Micro Et Nano Électronique

I followed the micro and nano-electronics master program, with courses ranging from the physics of electronic components and sensors.