Computational Neuroscientist-Postdoctoral

Juan P. Lopez

Pompano Beach, FL (***) ***–**** *************@***.*** linkedin.com/in/juanlopezneuro

Professional Summary

Computational neuroscientist and data engineer with 3+ years of experience processing connec- tomic datasets, designing compartmental neuron models, and writing biologically inspired machine- learning systems. My experience spans genetic manipulation, electrophysiology, programming, and machine learning. As a postdoctoral researcher, I’ve led over a dozen workshops on connectome data analysis, published findings on novel neuron classes, and trained researchers at all levels in neural circuit modeling and fine-tuning. I’m currently developing biological digital twins using connectome-driven simulations.

Research Interests

Neural Interfaces • Workflow Optimization • Connectomics • Neurophysiological Signal Processing Technical Skills

Programming: Python (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, scikit-learn), NEURON, Brian2, Jaxley, Cypher Machine Learning: Supervised & unsupervised learning, XGBoost, random forests, deep learning DevOps & Tools: Git, GitHub, Docker, GitHub Actions, Visual Studio Code, Jupyter Visualization: Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly, Tableau Experience

Computational Neuroscientist – Postdoctoral Researcher Jan 2024 – Present Pe na Lab, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL

• Drosophila Digital Twin: Lead developer of a connectome–based whole nervous system simulator for Drosophila using NEURON and MuJoCo. The pipeline uses publicly available connectome data to simulate alterations to hemilineages and simple circuits. Simulation outcomes piloted a published MuJoCo model of the fly to produce behavior approximations.

• Connectomic data pipeline: Wrote a Python/Neo4J system compatible with existing connectome datasets, ingesting over 160,000 neuron reconstructions and 6M synapses. This system is used to train undergraduate students for funded, connectome-based projects.

• Workshops & seminars: Organized and presented workshops at Florida Atlantic University and Florida State University, training 20+ graduate students and postdocs in computational neuroscience workflows and connectomic analysis.

• Sponsor management: Co-managed a $50k industry contract, defining milestones, QA metrics, and deliverables for EM-to-Python conversion; delivered on schedule and enabled follow-on funding.

Neuroscientist – Doctoral Researcher Aug 2017 – Dec 2023 Murphey Lab, Florida Atlantic University & Max Planck Florida Institute, Jupiter, FL

• Identified a novel relationship between the Drosophila guidance receptor Frazzled and Shaking-B gap junction production.

• Led institutional trainings and workshops on electrophysiology, genetic manipulation, and light microscopy for graduate-level researchers.

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Leadership Experience

• Directly mentored 10 undergraduate and graduate computational neuroscience students as a Senior Mentor in the Vertically Integrated Project grant program at FAU.

• Drafted and submitted NSF, Whitehall, and IBRO grant applications; coordinated under- graduate, graduate, and PI writing, timelines, and compliance documentation for milestone check-ins.

• Managed collaboration with industry partner MetaCell, optimizing partner work hours through structured communication and iterative feedback. Education

Ph.D. Integrative Biology – Neuroscience 2018 – 2023 Florida Atlantic University & Max Planck Florida Institute IMPRS for Synapses and Circuits M.S. Biological Sciences – Neuroscience 2017 – 2018 Florida Atlantic University

B.A. Psychology 2014 – 2016

Florida International University

Selected Publications & Presentations

Lopez J. (2026). A Hodgkin-Huxley model of Drosophila ventral nerve cord circuits produces behav- ior approximations in biomechanical models. Oral Presentation, Simulated Bodies: Whole Body Biomechanical Models. Janelia Research Campus, April 2026. Lopez J., Pena R. (2026). Advancing Behavioral Connectomics: Translating Connectomeic Simu- lations into Behavioral Approximations with the Fast Escape Response of Drosophila. Sunposium 2026.

Ceballos C., Lopez J., Roachford T., Sanchez D., Jara S., Robbins K., Spencer C., Murphey R.,

& Pe na R. F. O. (2025). Axo-Axonic Synapses on Descending Neurons in the Drosophila Ventral Nerve Cord. iScience, 2026; 29

Lopez J., Boerner J., Robbins K., Pe na R. F. O., & Murphey R. (2025). Frazzled/DCC regulates gap junction formation at a Drosophila giant synapse. eNeuro 8 October 2025, 12 (10) ENEURO.0202- 25.2025.

Lopez J. et al. (2025). A compartment model of the Giant Fibers reveals signal dynamics vary with morphology. FAU NeuroCollective Symposium. (Best Poster Award) 2

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