Nuttida Rungratsameetaweemana, PhD
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Affiliate Faculty of Center for Theoretical Neuroscience
Nuttida received her BA in Neuroscience and Mathematics from Middlebury College in 2014 and her PhD in Neurosciences with a Specialization in Computational Neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego in 2020. Her graduate work with John Serences and Larry Squire integrated psychophysical paradigms, neuroimaging techniques, and lesion studies to investigate how the brain organizes probabilistic sensory information for flexible decision-making.
Before joining Columbia in 2023, Nuttida was a Swartz Theoretical Neuroscience Fellow in the lab of Terry Sejnowski at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, where she explored the computational principles of adaptive learning using biologically inspired deep learning models.
Additionally, she was a visiting postdoctoral scientist in the lab of Ueli Rutishauser at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, investigating the neural correlates of contextual information processing. She was also an inaugural Provost’s Research Fellow as part of the Inclusive Faculty Pathways Initiative at Columbia University. Outside the lab, Nuttida enjoys cooking her favorite Thai comfort foods and experimenting with new recipes. She also loves drawing and spending time with her little sister.
Robert Kim, MD, PhD
Affiliated Research Scientist
Robert received his BS in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 2012. Following his undergraduate studies, he worked in the lab of Hal Blumenfeld at Yale University, focusing on mechanisms of impaired consciousness in Childhood Absence Epilepsy. Robert then joined the Medical Scientist Training Program at UC San Diego, where he obtained his PhD in Neuroscience in 2020 and his MD in 2022. During his graduate research in the lab of Terry Sejnowski, Robert developed computational tools and frameworks to probe neural dynamics and identify neural correlates of working memory. Currently, Robert is a resident physician in Adult Neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center while continuing his research in the Nuttida lab and the lab of Ueli Rutishauser in the Cedars-Sinai Neurosurgery Department. His work focuses on developing computational models and analyzing human electrophysiology data to better understand the neural mechanisms of higher cognitive functions. Robert enjoys puppy watching and playing tennis.
Affiliated Research Scientist
Robert received his BS in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 2012. Following his undergraduate studies, he worked in the lab of Hal Blumenfeld at Yale University, focusing on mechanisms of impaired consciousness in Childhood Absence Epilepsy. Robert then joined the Medical Scientist Training Program at UC San Diego, where he obtained his PhD in Neuroscience in 2020 and his MD in 2022. During his graduate research in the lab of Terry Sejnowski, Robert developed computational tools and frameworks to probe neural dynamics and identify neural correlates of working memory. Currently, Robert is a resident physician in Adult Neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center while continuing his research in the Nuttida lab and the lab of Ueli Rutishauser in the Cedars-Sinai Neurosurgery Department. His work focuses on developing computational models and analyzing human electrophysiology data to better understand the neural mechanisms of higher cognitive functions. Robert enjoys puppy watching and playing tennis.
Tomas G. Aquino, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Tomas received his BSc in Molecular Sciences from the University of São Paulo, Brazil in 2015. Subsequently, he did his PhD with John O'Doherty at Caltech, and was co-advised by Ueli Rutishauser at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His work focused on single-neuron correlates of value learning and decision-making in the human brain. He obtained his PhD in Computation and Neural Systems in 2022. Currently, Tomas works on the intersection between flexible decision making and recurrent neural network models of perception and decision, leveraging human single neuron recordings. Tomas also enjoys planting tomatoes and playing jazz/bossa nova guitar.
Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Tomas received his BSc in Molecular Sciences from the University of São Paulo, Brazil in 2015. Subsequently, he did his PhD with John O'Doherty at Caltech, and was co-advised by Ueli Rutishauser at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His work focused on single-neuron correlates of value learning and decision-making in the human brain. He obtained his PhD in Computation and Neural Systems in 2022. Currently, Tomas works on the intersection between flexible decision making and recurrent neural network models of perception and decision, leveraging human single neuron recordings. Tomas also enjoys planting tomatoes and playing jazz/bossa nova guitar.
Rudramani Singha
Research Technician
Rudra received his BEng in Information Technology from the University of Mumbai in 2022. He then pursued an MS in Biomedical Engineering at Columbia, graduating in 2024. Throughout his time at Columbia, Rudra worked closely with Nuttida, focusing on developing explainable machine-learning methods to model the dynamics of human perceptual decision-making. His research interests span representational similarity analysis, Bayesian inference, and dimensionality reduction techniques. After graduating, Rudra joined the Nuttida lab and continued his work on unraveling the neural mechanisms underlying higher cognitive functions through computational modeling and analysis of human electrophysiological data. Beyond academia, he loves to discuss startups, movies, and Dota2.
Research Technician
Rudra received his BEng in Information Technology from the University of Mumbai in 2022. He then pursued an MS in Biomedical Engineering at Columbia, graduating in 2024. Throughout his time at Columbia, Rudra worked closely with Nuttida, focusing on developing explainable machine-learning methods to model the dynamics of human perceptual decision-making. His research interests span representational similarity analysis, Bayesian inference, and dimensionality reduction techniques. After graduating, Rudra joined the Nuttida lab and continued his work on unraveling the neural mechanisms underlying higher cognitive functions through computational modeling and analysis of human electrophysiological data. Beyond academia, he loves to discuss startups, movies, and Dota2.
Zelin Yu
PhD Student in Electrical Engineering
Zelin received her BS in Electronic Information Engineering from Wuhan University in 2021. Following that, she received her MS in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University in 2022. Previous to joining the Nuttida lab, Zelin worked in the lab of Jennifer Gelinas and Dion Khodagholy, focusing on identifying electrophysiological markers of epileptic network progression and memory impairment as a comorbidity. Currently, Zelin is excited to investigate how the human cortex simultaneously handles multiple complex computations at the single-neuron level and circuit levels. Besides academics, she enjoys running in Central Park and playing video games.
PhD Student in Electrical Engineering
Zelin received her BS in Electronic Information Engineering from Wuhan University in 2021. Following that, she received her MS in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University in 2022. Previous to joining the Nuttida lab, Zelin worked in the lab of Jennifer Gelinas and Dion Khodagholy, focusing on identifying electrophysiological markers of epileptic network progression and memory impairment as a comorbidity. Currently, Zelin is excited to investigate how the human cortex simultaneously handles multiple complex computations at the single-neuron level and circuit levels. Besides academics, she enjoys running in Central Park and playing video games.
Siddhant Iyer
PhD Student in Neurobiology & Behavior
Sid obtained his BA in Brain & Cognitive Sciences from University of Rochester, working with David Dodell-Feder to decode ‘theory of mind’ processes from fMRI data. He then teched for Meghan Meyer, relating individual differences in social memory processing to fMRI functional connectivity. At the Nuttida lab, he seeks to understand why real and artificial neural networks change with cognitive context. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing racket sports and board games.
PhD Student in Neurobiology & Behavior
Sid obtained his BA in Brain & Cognitive Sciences from University of Rochester, working with David Dodell-Feder to decode ‘theory of mind’ processes from fMRI data. He then teched for Meghan Meyer, relating individual differences in social memory processing to fMRI functional connectivity. At the Nuttida lab, he seeks to understand why real and artificial neural networks change with cognitive context. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing racket sports and board games.
Renee Tung
MD/PhD Student in Neurobiology & Behavior
Renee completed her BS in Neuroscience with a certificate in Statistics & Data Science at Yale University in 2021, where she studied the neural mechanisms of behavioral impairment in a rat model of absence epilepsy in Hal Blumenfeld's lab. She then spent a year working with Carsen Stringer at Janelia using computational methods to study neural representations of behavior in mouse recordings of tens of thousands of neurons with behavioral keypoint tracking. In the Nuttida lab, she is interested in using modeling in combination with experimental data to better understand the neural mechanisms underlying the effects of neurostimulation on cognition in humans. Outside of lab, she enjoys playing [card, board, video] games, walking in parks, and exploring the city.
MD/PhD Student in Neurobiology & Behavior
Renee completed her BS in Neuroscience with a certificate in Statistics & Data Science at Yale University in 2021, where she studied the neural mechanisms of behavioral impairment in a rat model of absence epilepsy in Hal Blumenfeld's lab. She then spent a year working with Carsen Stringer at Janelia using computational methods to study neural representations of behavior in mouse recordings of tens of thousands of neurons with behavioral keypoint tracking. In the Nuttida lab, she is interested in using modeling in combination with experimental data to better understand the neural mechanisms underlying the effects of neurostimulation on cognition in humans. Outside of lab, she enjoys playing [card, board, video] games, walking in parks, and exploring the city.
Salma Elhassa
PhD Student in Biomedical Engineering
Salma received her BS in Biology Bioinformatics from CUNY Hunter College in 2022. During her undergraduate studies, she worked in the lab of Eric Nestler at Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai. Salma then took part in the NIH Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program as a research scholar at Baylor College of Medicine in Kelly Bijanki’s lab and in collaboration with Sameer Sheth, where she studied the change in depression symptom severity of inpatient deep brain stimulation treatment. Currently, Salma is interested in exploring the neural mechanisms of perceptual and cognitive flexibility. Her project leverages single-neuron recordings in humans with methods from statistics and computational neuroscience. Outside the lab she enjoys reading, writing creative pieces, and exploring places in her hometown in Queens.
PhD Student in Biomedical Engineering
Salma received her BS in Biology Bioinformatics from CUNY Hunter College in 2022. During her undergraduate studies, she worked in the lab of Eric Nestler at Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai. Salma then took part in the NIH Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program as a research scholar at Baylor College of Medicine in Kelly Bijanki’s lab and in collaboration with Sameer Sheth, where she studied the change in depression symptom severity of inpatient deep brain stimulation treatment. Currently, Salma is interested in exploring the neural mechanisms of perceptual and cognitive flexibility. Her project leverages single-neuron recordings in humans with methods from statistics and computational neuroscience. Outside the lab she enjoys reading, writing creative pieces, and exploring places in her hometown in Queens.
Daria Kussovska
MS Student in Biomedical Engineering
Daria completed her BS in Neuroscience at King’s College London in 2023. During her undergraduate studies, she focused on investigating the neural correlates of aggression in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), exploring the effects of Neuroligin-3 mutations in mice and analyzing fMRI data. At Nuttida lab, Daria is excited about uncovering the neural codes that drive efficient encoding and maintenance of short- and long-term memory. She aims to develop a comprehensive, data-driven theory integrating neural geometry and manifold concepts to deepen our understanding of memory dynamics, with potential implications for various disorders. Outside the lab, she has a passion for high-adrenaline sports like skydiving and skiing.
MS Student in Biomedical Engineering
Daria completed her BS in Neuroscience at King’s College London in 2023. During her undergraduate studies, she focused on investigating the neural correlates of aggression in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), exploring the effects of Neuroligin-3 mutations in mice and analyzing fMRI data. At Nuttida lab, Daria is excited about uncovering the neural codes that drive efficient encoding and maintenance of short- and long-term memory. She aims to develop a comprehensive, data-driven theory integrating neural geometry and manifold concepts to deepen our understanding of memory dynamics, with potential implications for various disorders. Outside the lab, she has a passion for high-adrenaline sports like skydiving and skiing.
Jared Winslow
MA Student in Statistics | Data Science Institute Scholar
Jared received his BS in Mathematics from Indiana University in 2021, also minoring in psychology. After graduating, he tutored advanced math until he started his MA. At Columbia, his interests are in Bayesian methods and interpretable, biologically-inspired machine learning. He also works in the lab of Maya Mathur at Stanford University doing large-scale data and statistical methodology work related to plant-based proteins. At the Nuttida lab, he is excited to investigate the neural mechanisms behind reward learning through multi-agent reinforcement learning. Outside academics, Jared enjoys playing table tennis at Columbia, acting, rock climbing, and learning languages.
MA Student in Statistics | Data Science Institute Scholar
Jared received his BS in Mathematics from Indiana University in 2021, also minoring in psychology. After graduating, he tutored advanced math until he started his MA. At Columbia, his interests are in Bayesian methods and interpretable, biologically-inspired machine learning. He also works in the lab of Maya Mathur at Stanford University doing large-scale data and statistical methodology work related to plant-based proteins. At the Nuttida lab, he is excited to investigate the neural mechanisms behind reward learning through multi-agent reinforcement learning. Outside academics, Jared enjoys playing table tennis at Columbia, acting, rock climbing, and learning languages.
Summer@SEAS
- Leon Dietrich Gruber, CS senior undergraduate student
- Jet Li, CS senior undergraduate student
- James Yu, Physics & CS senior undergraduate student
- Jet Li, CS senior undergraduate student
- James Yu, Physics & CS senior undergraduate student
Alumni
- Corey Zhu, high school student (2024)
- Yash Bhambhani, MS student in Biomedical Engineering (2023-2024)
- Yash Bhambhani, MS student in Biomedical Engineering (2023-2024)