Kristine Heiney, PhD
Computational Neuroscientist & Science Editor
EDUCATION
PhD Computer Science Jun 2023
Norwegian University of Science and Technology,
Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering
Thesis: “Deciphering and emulating neuronal communication: Population-level computation from elemental interactions”
MSc Biomedical Engineering Jun 2018
University of Porto, Faculty of Engineering
Dissertation: “Novel Methodologies to Study the Crosstalk Between Neurons and Bone Using Advanced Microfluidic Platforms Containing Microelectrodes”
BSc Applied and Engineering Physics May 2010
Cornell University, College of Engineering
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Visiting researcher Feb 2022 – Jul 2022
Control group, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge
Supervisors: Prof. Timothy O’Leary, Dr. Mónika Józsa, Dr. Michael E. Rule
I studied the relationship between noise correlations and representational drift: can a neuron’s level of population-wide redundancy or synergy inform us of how likely it is to drift? (Paper under preparation)
PhD Fellow Oct 2018 – Jun 2023
Living Technology Lab, Oslo Metropolitan University
SOCRATES: Self-Organizing Computational substRATES, funded by the Research Council of Norway
Supervisor: Prof. Stefano Nichele
The focus of my doctoral thesis work was to understand neural computation across scales: how do interactions among individual neurons lead to population-level information representation and computation? I approached this question through a combination of data analysis and data-driven modeling, with an eye toward how my findings can inform the design of computing systems
Master-level researcher Feb 2017 – Jun 2018
Neuroengineering and Computational Neuroscience group, i3S
Supervisor: Dr. Paulo Aguiar
I created and published an advanced computational tool based in MATLAB for the analysis of electrophysiological signals recorded from neurons cultured on microelectrode arrays interfaced with microfluidic chambers
ACADEMIC SUPERVISION
Master theses
Jørgen Jensen Farner, “Activity-dependent delay learning in spiking neural networks,” Master in Applied Computer and Information Technology, OsloMet (2022, main supervisor)
Nicolai Winter-Hjelm, “Development of tailored microfluidic platforms with improved electrical signal detection for in vitro studies of neural networks and neural network pathology,” Master in Nanotechnology, NTNU (2020, co-supervisor)
Isak Kyrre Lichtwarck Bjugn, “Structural Effects on the Computational Capacity of Neural Networks,” Master in Nanotechnology, NTNU (2020, co-supervisor)
Research projects
Alessandro Pierro, “Optimization of a Hydrodynamic Reservoir through Evolution,” (accepted, GECCO 2023), Visiting Research Assistant, hosted by OsloMet and NordSTAR, in collaboration with Apoha Limited, from University of Trieste (2022)
Giulia Marchiori Pietrosanti, Visiting Research Assistant, hosted by OsloMet and NordSTAR, in collaboration with Apoha Limited, from University of Trieste (2022)
Ruben Jahren, Håkon Weydahl, Jørgen Jensen Farner, “Evolving spiking neuron cellular automata and networks to emulate in vitro neuronal activity,” extended course project for ACIT4610 (2021)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Oslo Metropolitan University (PhD Fellow, teacher)
Oct 2018 – Jun 2023
ACIT4100 – Understanding and Communicating Research (Master)
ACIT4610 – Evolutionary Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (Master)
ITPE3900 – Bachelor Project (Bachelor)
Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (Teaching Assistant)
Aug 2011 – Dec 2013
MATH104 – Calculus for the Biomedical Sciences (Premedical)
STS5051 – Foundations of Ethics (Premedical)
BIOMG3350 – Principles of Biochemistry (Premedical)
ENG1111 – The Dialectical Superhero & the Politics of Villainy (Premedical)
PHYS1199 – Introduction to Physics (Foundation)
ENGLF1002 – English for Academic Purposes (Foundation)
ENGLF1003 – Academic Vocabulary (Foundation)
Cornell Prison Education Program (Volunteer Teaching Assistant)
Jan 2008 – Dec 2010
Introduction to Poetry (Associates)
Introduction to Statistics (Associates)
SERVICE, MEMBERSHIPS, & LEADERSHIP
Material Computing Satellite Group Coordinator Nordic Center for Sustainable and Trustworthy AI Research (NordSTAR), OsloMet, Nov 2021 - Jun 2023
Research Fellow Representative Doctoral Committee at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design, May 2021 – Jun 2023
Member IEEE Computational Intelligence Society, Oct 2018 – present
Member Norwegian Neuroscience Society (NNS), Federation of the European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), Jan 2019 – present
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
Contract Science & Engineering Editor Feb 2015 – present
Forte Science Communications
Electronics & Communications Engineer Nov 2007 – Jan 2010
Seasonal intern
Information & Intelligence Warfare Directorate (I2WD)