Zahra M. Aghajan

Zahra M. Aghajan has a diverse work experience spanning multiple roles and companies. In 2020, they worked as a Senior Data Scientist at Kernel, where they focused on implementing and optimizing analysis tools for non-invasive neural data from the Kernel Flow system. Zahra also conducted analyses to draw insights for BCI (Brain-Computer Interface) applications and developed signal processing tools to extract physiological features from optical brain imaging data.

Prior to their role at Kernel, Zahra worked at UCLA for several years. As an Assistant Professor in Research, they researched the neural basis of cognition and memory in the human brain and identified tools to modulate them. Zahra designed studies and analyzed neural activity from single neurons and local field potentials in epilepsy patients. Zahra also applied ML/DL, signal processing, and statistical methods to relate neural data to behavior.

During their time at UCLA, Zahra also served as a Postdoctoral Scholar, where they investigated the mechanisms of memory and DBS-related memory enhancement in patients with chronic neural implants. Zahra used signal processing, statistics, and ML techniques to analyze neural responses in memory networks in virtual reality and real-world settings. Zahra established protocols to record iEEG (intracranial electroencephalography) and deliver DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) in patients with implants during room-scale virtual reality navigation.

Zahra's work experience also includes a role as VP of Applied AI at Textpert. Here, they focused on improving mental health assessment through multimodal deep neural networks. Zahra devised and optimized the architecture of deep neural networks that combined data from video, audio, and text to detect the risk of depression and anxiety. Zahra also analyzed user behavior data using ML techniques and statistical analyses to optimize product development.

Zahra M. Aghajan has an extensive education history. Zahra attended UCLA from 2008 to 2015, where they obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and M. Sc. degree in Physics with a specialization in Neurophysics. Prior to that, they studied at Sharif University of Technology from 2003 to 2008, where they earned two Bachelor's degrees. The first Bachelor's degree was in Chemistry, and the second one was in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics.

In addition to their formal education, Zahra M. Aghajan has also obtained several certifications. In September 2014, they completed the certifications titled "Introduction to Data Science" and "Machine Learning" from Coursera. Zahra has also completed other courses, such as "Improving Deep Neural Networks: Hyperparameter tuning, Regularization and Optimization," "Neural Networks and Deep Learning," and "Structuring Machine Learning Projects" from Coursera, although the specific completion dates for these courses are not provided.