Research

Neurons first, models second.

4 papers, across electrical signalling in living circuits, medical imaging, and model efficiency. The last one runs in production.

2023 Nvidia, Thermo Fisher Scientific (arXiv)

A Generalization of Continuous Relaxation in Structured Pruning

with Brad Larson, Luke McDermott, Siddha Ganju

Structured pruning asserts that while large networks enable us to find solutions to complex computer vision problems, a smaller, computationally efficient sub-network can be extracted. We propose a generalization of continuous relaxation in structured pruning to effectively identify these optimal sub-networks, ensuring performance on resource-constrained hardware.

Deep Learning Structured Pruning Computer Vision Efficient AI

In production This is the paper that ships. Choon's identifier runs a 27.7M-parameter Conformer, 42% smaller than the model it replaced, and holds 76.9% recall@1 at 66,000-track scale. choon ↳

2021 Cell Systems (University of Washington, Fred Hutch)

Circumventing neural damage in a C. elegans chemosensory circuit using genetically engineered synapses

with Dr. Sreekanth Chalasani

Investigating neural circuit plasticity, this study demonstrates how genetically engineered electrical synapses can reroute information flow to circumvent damaged neurons. By expressing connexin gap junctions, we successfully restored chemotaxis behavior in C. elegans after critical interneuron loss, highlighting the potential of artificial synapses in neural repair.

Neuroscience C. elegans Neural Engineering Connectomics

2020 University of California, San Francisco

A Comparison of FDG and Amyloid PET for the Deep Learning Prediction of Alzheimer's Disease

This research compares the efficacy of FDG PET (metabolic) and Amyloid PET (pathological) biomarkers in training Deep Learning models for Alzheimer's prediction. The study focuses on applying these models to data from underprivileged communities, evaluating accessibility versus predictive power for early diagnosis.

Alzheimer's Deep Learning Medical Imaging Healthcare Equity

2019 PLoS Genetics (University of Washington, Fred Hutch)

INX-18 and INX-19 play distinct roles in electrical synapses that modulate aversive behavior

Electrical synapses are critical for fast neural communication. This paper elucidates the distinct functional roles of innexin proteins INX-18 and INX-19 in forming gap junctions that modulate aversive behavioral responses in Caenorhabditis elegans, contributing to our understanding of the genetic basis of behavior.

Genetics Behavioral Neuroscience Gap Junctions C. elegans