At OIST, my focus shifted toward applied environmental AI and biodiversity informatics. During four years with Prof. Evan Economo's Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, I contributed to large-scale projects including Antmaps and OKEON, developing computational tools for ecological research. I currently work with Prof. Greg Stephens in the Biological Physics Theory Unit, where I lead projects that apply machine learning to behavioral analysis and conservation. My current work includes high-resolution 3D tracking of zebrafish social behavior (published in Nature Scientific Data, 2025) and FrogAI, a deep learning system for automated acoustic monitoring of Okinawa's endemic and invasive amphibian species.
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Beyond my primary research, I maintain active interests in neural architecture search, evolutionary algorithms, and open science practices. I believe in making research accessible through open datasets, reproducible code, and tools that enable others to build on our work.
My research bridges deep learning, behavioral neuroscience, and biodiversity informatics, connecting artificial and biological intelligence to solve problems with real-world impact. I specialize in developing machine vision and bioacoustic methods for understanding complex biological systems, from zebrafish social interactions to ecosystem-scale biodiversity monitoring.
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My PhD work at Osaka University focused on classifying neural activity patterns in cortical neurons, using machine learning to distinguish somatic from axonal electrical signals recorded on high-density microelectrode arrays. This work established my foundation in combining neuroscience with computational methods, a theme that continues to define my research.
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Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Frontier Biosciences
Osaka University, Japan
September 2015
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
Twente University, The Netherlands
January 2011
Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering
A.T.E.I. Thessalonikis, Greece
May 2008
Thesis: Comparison of somatic and axonal spike shape features in cortical neurons grown on high-density microelectrode arrays
Thesis: Development of an 11,000-electrodes
microelectrode array system for neural network recording
Thesis: Optimization methods for automated electronic/electromagnetic design
Awards
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OIST Innovation Proof of Concept Grant (2025)
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NVidia Academic Hardware Grant (2019)
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Best Poster Award in Engineering Field at the Noyori Summer School (2014)
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RIKEN International Program Associate PhD Scholarship (2012)
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European Study Program in Neuroinformatics (2011)