Assistant Professor and quantitative research scientist

Dr. Mark R. Dranias, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biology and Mathematics

University of Maryland University College Asia

PSC 80 Box 1000, APO AP 96367

********@*********.***, 1-773-***-****

POSITION: Data Scientist - FT39819, Absolute Opportunities

EDUCATION

PhD 2008 Neural Systems/Neural Networks Boston University

MS 1997 Molecular Neurobiology University of Illinois at Chicago

BA 1994 Psychology and Biology Boston University

SKILLS

Expertise with MATLAB/HTML/ MS Office /Linux/C/Excel/Python

Expertise modeling dynamical systems, applying neural networks, and statistical analysis.

Experience with fMRI recording with image and behavior analysis using nonhuman primates, grant preparation.

EXPERIENCE

Aug 2014 – present

Collegiate Assistant Professor, University of Maryland, University College, Asia.

Supervisors: Prof. Andrew Boone, Prof. Alan Berg

Classes Taught: Math 103 (College Mathematics), Stat 200 (Introductory

Statistics), Biology 101,102 (Intro Biology and Laboratory); Biology 160, 161

(Intro Human Biology and Laboratory), Biology 301 (Human Health and

Disease);

Accomplishments: Prepared course materials, integrated online textbooks from

Carnegie-Mellon OLI, Rice University Openstax, and Pearson Publishers

(mymathlab,mystatlab) using HTML and learning management software (LMS).

Dec 2014 – Jan 2015

Visiting Researcher, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School.

Collaborators: Assoc. Prof. Antonius M.J. VanDongen, Prof. Larry Stanton.

Project: Assess functionality of adult-derived stem cells.

Accomplishments: Developed MATLAB-based platform for image processing

of optically recorded calcium signals.

Research Fellow, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School. 2009-2014

Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Antonius M.J. VanDongen.

Project: Develop hybrid biological computer platform, build living neural

network.

Accomplishments: Developed MATLAB platform for the statistical and

information theoretic analysis of electrophysiological signals. Developed

platform for optogenetic stimulation of living neural network. Computer model

of neural network and cellular processes. Three publications, three conference

slide presentations (competitive), four poster presentations.

Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard Medical School. 2008-2009

Supervisor: Prof. Margaret Livingstone.

Projects: Functional imaging of nonhuman primates in a decision -making and

counting task, behavioral and physiological analysis of no nhuman primate

decision making, grant preparation.

Accomplishments: Functional magnetic resonance imaging skills, animal care

and training skills, statistical analysis of animal behaviour, development of a

neural network model of counting behavior, presentation of a conference poster,

prepared and submitted grants to NRSA, NIH, and Laden Family

Frontotemporal Dementia Society.

Research Assistant, Boston University. 2000-2008

Supervisors: Prof. Stephen Grossberg, Prof. Daniel Bullock

Project: Build neural network models of reinforcement learning and emotional

valuation to explain a decision making task.

Accomplishments: Construct mathematical models of brain based on circuits,

differential equations, and computer simulations. Presented models at

conferences, prepared articles and dissertation. Published three academic papers

on neural networks.

ACTIVITIES AND AWARDS

2013 SGH Academic Scientific Meeting. Finalist, Outstanding Basic/Translational Research

2011 Society for Neuroscience submission selected as ‘Newsworthy Item’

2006-2007 Departmental Travel Grants

2006-present Member, International Neural Network Society

2006-present Member, Society for Neuroscience

2014-present Member American Physiological Society

1990 Illinois State Scholar (competitive based on SAT)

Referee, IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks.

RECENT REFEREED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS

Mark Dranias, M. Brandon Westover, Sydney S. Cash, and Antonius M. VanDongen (2015). Stimulus

information stored in lasting active and hidden network states is destroyed by network bursts . Frontiers in

Integrative Neuroscience. 9:14. DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2015.00014.

Han Ju, Mark Dranias, Ezhilarasan Rajaram, Antonius M. VanDongen. (2015). Spatio-temporal memory is an

intrinsic property of networks of dissociated cortical neurons. Journal of Neuroscience. 35(9):4040 – 4051.

Mark R. Dranias, Ju Han, Eli Rajaram, Antonius M. VanDongen. (2013). Short -Term Memory in Networks of

Dissociated Cortical Neurons. Journal of Neuroscience. 33(5):1940 –1953. PMID 23365233

PUBLISHED STATISTICAL AND POLICY PAPERS

Tan CO, Dranias MR. (2008) “Statistical Analysis of Wyoming State Expenditures.” Appendix to the

2008 Wyoming State Legislative Policy Report, in Breaking the Grip of Federal Mandates, Goldwater Institute.

SELECT RECENT PRESENTATIONS

Mark Dranias, Antonius M. VanDongen. (2013) Dissociable mechanisms of memory destruction in an in vitro

model of interictal epileptiform discharges. SingHealth Scientific Conference 2013. Slide Presentation. April 5.

Mark Dranias, (2012). Modeling Cognition in vitro for Computation and Drug Discovery. Novel Technologies for

Clinical Practice in Neurology Workshop. Slide Presentation. Nanyang Technological University. May 23.

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