LINDSEY SYDNOR

Snoqualmie, WA 98065 | sydnor.lindsey@gmail.com | 425-281-7156

https://lindseysydnor.weebly.com/

EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, SEATTLE, WA

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NEUROSCIENCE (3.8 GPA)
+ MINOR IN NEURAL COMPUTATION AND ENGINEERING
SEPT 2017 – JUNE 2021
Collaboratively experienced electrophysiological experiments, neural computation
projects, laboratory presentations, and neurobiological research.

UNDERGRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM IN NEURAL COMPUTATION AND

ENGINEERING
SEPT 2018 – JUNE 2021
Accessed graduate-level coursework, including the cellular biophysics of neural
computation, brain-wide network analysis and modeling, and next-generation brain-
computer interfaces.

Gained computational laboratory experience, mentorship, funding, and research

presentation opportunities.

SKILLS & NEURAL CODING AND COMPUTATION

COURSEWORK Introduces computational neuroscience, grounded in neuronal and synaptic biophysics. Works
through mathematical description of how neurons encode information, and how neural activity is
produced dynamically.

+ MATLAB, Python, neuronal dynamics, coding analysis, EEG/ ECoG signal

processing

SPECIAL STUDIES IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS - ARTIPHYSIOLOGY

Covers “artiphysiology”: understanding visual representation in artificial neural networks from a
neurophysiological perspective, i.e., analyzing data and drawing direct parallels in single- and
multi-unit receptive fields, activity (border ownership, surround suppression, fill-outline
invariance, etc.), and processing in convolutional neural networks (CNN) to that of individual-
and multi-neuronal activity in the primate visual cortex.

+ PyTorch, testing and training CNNs

QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN NEUROSCIENCE

Provides exposure to a variety of quantitative methods that are applicable to the study of the
nervous system through intensive tutorials using research data.

+ Python, MATLAB, linear systems, Fourier analysis, filtering,

convolution, ordinary differential equations, dimensionality reduction
techniques, stochastic processes, signal processing, information
theory

NEURAL ENGINEERING TECH STUDIO

Neural engineering design and translational engineering. Groups design, build and present a
neural engineering prototype project to a panel of industry judges.
+ extensive research into primary literature, EEG/ ECG signal
processing w/ OpenBCI’s Ultracortex kit, Python to categorize and
identify intensity of emotions from multimodal data, automated search
query generation, UI design, neurofeedback, project management,
presentations

NEURAL ENGINEERING
Introduces the field of Neural Engineering: overview of neurobiology, recording and stimulating
the nervous system, signal processing, machine learning, powering and communicating with
neural devices, invasive and non-invasive brain-machine interfaces, spinal interfaces, smart
prostheses, deep-brain stimulators, cochlear implants and neuroethics. Heavy emphasis on
primary literature.

+ Primary literature analysis, EEG/ ECoG signal processing w/ Python,

machine learning, powering and communicating with neural devices,
discussions

COMPUTATIONAL MODELS FOR COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE

Introduces some of the most fundamental concepts of computational models as applied to
Cognitive Neuroscience. These models aim at providing explanations of how complex behavior
can arise from simple algorithms that are implemented at the neuronal level.

+ Primary literature analysis, project management, computational

models of cognition, various machine learning algorithms in Python

SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING
Project-oriented computational approach to solving problems arising in the physical/engineering
sciences, finance/economics, medical, social, and biological sciences. Problems requiring use of
advanced MATLAB routines and toolboxes. Covers graphical techniques for data presentation
and communication of scientific results.

+ Matlab, mathematical judgement, programming architecture, flow

control in solving scientific problems, numerical programming,
visualization

SPECIAL STUDIES IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS - THEORETICAL NEUROSCIENCE

Discussion and student presentations of classic and breaking papers in computational and
theoretical neuroscience. Papers I volunteered to present are:

- “Transitions in information processing dynamics at the whole-brain network level are driven by
alterations in neural gain”

- “Towards Intelligent Intra-cortical BMI (i2BMI): Low-power Neuromorphic Decoders that

outperform Kalman Filters”

- “Constraining computational models using electron microscopy wiring diagrams.”

+ Reading and presenting dense research papers

ADVANCED TOPICS IN CONTROL SYSTEM THEORY

Discussion and student presentations on design specifics of novel neurotechnology, with a focus
on BCIs, engineered neuroplasticity, and neuroprostheses.

+ Reading and presenting dense research papers

 LAB SKILLS
+ Use of motorized micromanipulator, function generator, ADC (Power
Lab), differential AC amplifier, LabChart software, Python (including
scientific libraries such as NumPy, SciPy, etc.), MATLAB, LaTeX, etc.
to attain/analyze/report findings from cockroach sensory nerve
recordings, leech neuron intracellular recordings, crayfish NMJ
recordings, etc. with presentations of findings

OTHER SKILLS
+ Biostatistics, Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry, Genomics, Physical
Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Cellular and
Molecular Neurobiology, Systems Neurobiology, Neurological Disease,
Neuropharmacology, Neuroethology, Biochemistry, etc.

+ Background in neuroscience, quantum mechanics, chemistry, biology,

physics, etc.

RESEARCH UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER | SHAPELAB

JAN 2020
Focus: Developed receptive field mapping paradigms in convolutional neural networks
(tested on Pytorch’s alexnet and vgg16, to be extended to other models), treating
CNNs as model organisms. Funding received from the Computational Neuroscience
Center at the University of Washington.

Mentor: Wyeth Bair, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Structure.

Washington National Primate Center; Areas of Research: Computational Neuroscience,
Neural Circuits.

Poster Presentation: University of Washington’s Institute for Neural Engineering’s

Neural Computation and Engineering Connection

“Spatial Mapping of Visual Receptive Fields in a Deep Net” co-wrote by Wyeth Bair
(P.I.) Funding: NIH/NEI R01-EY027023 (W. Bair), NIH/NEI, R01-EY029997 (A.
Pasupathy)

LEADERSHIP EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE | HUSKY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY FOR

NCAA STUDENT ATHLETES
MAY 2019
Awarded for work in public speaking, team management and strategy, emotional
intelligence, diversity and inclusion, conflict resolution, and servant leadership

PRESENTATION MODERATOR | HUSKY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY FOR NCAA

STUDENT ATHLETES
APRIL 2019
Served as moderator for “Empowering Others to Lead” discussion with Athletic Director
Jennifer Cohen to address questions on leadership advice, style, and skill development

NEUROBIOLOGY CLUB MENTOR | UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

 Provided advice on class scheduling, creating a competitive admissions application to
the neuroscience and/or biology major(s), finding research and internship positions, etc.

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER | SNOQUALMIE VALLEY FOODBANK

SERVICE 2011-CURRENT
Assist clients, organize and distribute goods, staff the Summer Kids food distribution
program

TEACHING ASSISTANT | DENNY INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL

2020-2021
Telecommute volunteer teacher’s assistant for Math 8 during COVID-19 lockdown.

SUPERVISOR | GENDER DIVERSITY KIDS GROUP AT SEATTLE CHILDREN’S

HOSPITAL
2018-2019
Supervised and entertained children while their parents met for support group,
reviewed conflict-resolution techniques with the children, discussed difficulties faced by
the LGBTQ+ community.

TEACHING ASSISTANT | GARFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

2019
Provided one-on-one tutoring for high-risk high school students in math (all levels),
teacher’s assistant for a freshman science class

HOBBIES Glacier travel, running, mountain biking, rock climbing, paddleboarding.