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African Computer Vision Summer School (ACVSS)
The African Computer Vision Summer School (AVCSS) will unite outstanding African students and researchers with leading computer vision and AI experts, complementing existing initiatives like the Deep Learning Indaba (DLI), to offer equitable access to foundational and advanced computer vision algorithms. |
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present
[10 days annually] |
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Deep Learning Indaba𝕏 South Africa NPC
A Deep Learning Indaba𝕏 is a locally-organised “Indaba” or conference held annually that helps ensure that knowledge and capacity in machine learning are spread more widely across the African continent. With more than half the continent hosting an Indaba𝕏, we are building a community of machine learning practitioners and researchers with local impact and global influence. |
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present
[1 week annually] |
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Computational Neuroscience Imbizo
The Computational Neuroscience Imbizo is an opportunity for African and international students to learn about cutting edge research techniques in computational neuroscience. Located on the shores of Cape Town, South Africa, this 3-week summer school is an intense and immersive experience that leaves one walking away with not just new computational neuroscience knowledge, but new connections with people around the world. The goal of the Imbizo is to bring together those interested in Neuroscience, Africa, and African Neuroscience to share knowledge and create a pan-continental and international community of scientists. |
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[3 weeks annually] |
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NeuroAI, machine learning, and computational neuroscience expert
Scientist | Engineer | Community leader
Dynamic leader with deep technical expertise gained from 20 years of software engineering, 14 years of neuroscience, 10 years of machine learning (ML), and 6 years leading non-profit companies. Over 16 scientific publications in top journals, international speaker at high-profile ML events, and have been a mentor to hundreds of ML experts. Seeking an impactful career solving complex problems using innovative solutions with hard-working teams where I can be a force multiplier.
I am witty, considerate, and intentional.
Experience
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present
Research Scientist - Machine Learning and Neuroscience
more ...shaping the future with natural intelligence
Our proven successes in extending today’s AI capabilities leveraging complex deep recurrent network structures, spiking neurons, and other neurophysiological features – mirroring the brain’s own remarkable capabilities.
Our vision extends far beyond forecasting, with reasoning as the next stepping stone towards AGI – Artificial General Intelligence.
To capture the full business value of natural intelligence, we combine it with the most recent advances in vision and language to build impactful solutions for a wide range of industry use cases.- Contribute and actively shape the research and development of the next generation of neuroscience-inspired machine learning methods.
- Research and develop state-of-the-art methods for advanced time series forecasting. Includes implementing transformer and attention-based machine learning models from scratch.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams to develop and deploy bespoke models for clients across domains.
- Construct de novo networks of neurons with novel learning rules to solve fundamental decision tasks.
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Postdoctoral researcher - NOMIS Fellow
Christopher Currin is a NOMIS Fellow at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), working closely with the research groups of Tim Vogels (Computational Neuroscience and Neurotheory) and Gaia Novarino (Genetic and Molecular Basis of Neurodevelopmental Disorders).
more ...His project, Unlocking Crucial Cortical Connections in Human Neural Dynamics for Health and Disorder, in collaboration with the Vogels lab, will utilize recordings from high-density multi-electrode arrays (HD-MEAs), monitoring thousands of neurons simultaneously from human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cultures that are developed in the Novarino lab at ISTA. Using these recordings, Currin and colleagues will guide the future of model development by building human data-driven biological neural network models. Employing advanced genetic and computational techniques, the researchers aim to determine how neurons connect and maintain their connections to form functional networks. This collaborative work will help to reveal the differences between natural and disease dynamics and contribute to effective lifelong clinical treatments for “plasticity pathologies” such as epilepsy and ASD.
- Analysing and modelling trillions of spikes from human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and recorded on high-density micro-electrode arrays (HD-MEA).
- Estimating uncertainty of biological neural networks using LSTM-based and feedforward artificial neural networks, Random Forest classification, K-means clustering, dimensionality reduction techniques (e.g. PCA), information theory, and Bayesian inference.
- Creating a custom data extract-transform-load (ETL) pipeline run locally or in the cloud, and connected to an interactive dashboard for collaborators to scale their neuroscience experiments.
- Selling the software IP to enable diagnostics and drug discovery for personalised medicine of people with epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder.
- This work has produced 3 peer-reviewed publications in top journals.
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Founder and CEO; Engineering Program Manager
With Intelligence
Leading teams and driving impact across AI domains with hands-on team engineering.
International speaker and technical advisor for personalising conversational agents for improved customer satisfaction and retention.
more ...Throughout leading dozens of projects and interfacing with spectrums of departments, my overall style is to distil business problems into practical solutions, establish expectations regularly, and anticipate flexibility. I instil trust, transparency, and initiative in my teams to enable us to grasp opportunities, try new things, and learn from failures quickly. I effectively communicate with stakeholders due to my empathetic people-driven approach to leadership and my rapid information-to-impact time. My experience navigating uncertainty into insight in a team-orientated manner can enhance existing avenues and guide new adventures. My passion for empowering people makes me an effective leader and force multiplier in organisations, whether leading or supporting.
Notable projects
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Mamba Insights - Led a 4-person team as a systems architect for a real-time computer vision solution for generating insights from CCTV footage. I engineered a hybrid offline + online approach for deployment in internet-scarce settings.
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DoYouRace - Designed, developed, and deployed the backend for a cycle race tracking app to provide real-time insight for racers, spectators, and organisers.
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Offerzen | Make Team – part-time Developer Coach, or “Make Master”, to guide developers in exploring innovative technologies (Insurance AR, IoT & Robots, Insurance API & Chatbot) in a fun and rewarding experience. Coached 100s of developers from diverse technology backgrounds, regularly wrote for their blog, and have grown the “Make” community.
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Mercedes-Benz South Africa – won the LaunchLab competition to develop a computer vision solution to automatically detect dents and scratches in the Sales and Marketing division. The application has been used and approved by the Mercedes-Benz head of technology for the world.
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Number Boost – consulting data scientist on diverse projects including consumer behaviour analysis in big SA banks, cryptocurrency trading algorithms focused on regime switching, and implementing biplot analysis for peering into “black box” algorithms.
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Q Division - Project lead as data scientist for one of Namibia’s biggest companies, which increased the visibility of company resources and allowed better predictions of marketing campaign efficacy. Software and Information Architect for corporate innovation project for Comair Limited to deliver the proof of concept that has turned into a multi-million deal.
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iXperience – teaching assistant for the artificial intelligence and data science course, taught by local leaders in the field (e.g. Head of AI for Vodafone Africa).
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NovaCode - Four-man team of developers that aimed to make great software. We managed to learn a lot from our failures on our internal projects to produce great wins for clients; increasing their revenue by 22%. Accepted into the “Seed Academy” start-up bootcamp, sponsored by Microsoft BizSpark, and attended “Lab2Market” cross-university course for biotechnology.
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Demonstrator
University of Cape Town
Guided the 1st – 3rd year MBChB (medical) students during their tutorial and practical sessions covering a wide range of human biology, with focus on neuroscience.
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Mentor
Udacity School of Artificial Intelligence
Coached students for the AI nanodegrees offered by Udacity. Both technical and personal supervision was provided to ensure the students were happy and healthy on their journey. I was given weekly feedback, regularly getting 5/5 across the rating metrics. I am proud to say most of my students finished the programme.
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Other
Bartender | Mixologist | Web Developer
I have been a bartender and mixologist (cocktail wizard) throughout my undergraduate degree to a) earn a little more and b) gain understanding about the value of hard-work, public relations, and consumer experiences “on the ground”.
During high school I did website development jobs to gain technical skills and start my programming career. I haven’t stopped coding since.
Education
We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty there that needs to be done.
Alan Turing
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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
NeuroscienceUniversity of Cape Town
2017 - 2020 Supervised by Dr Joseph V. Raimondo
Advised by Prof Henning Sprekeler, Prof Andrew Trevelyan, Prof Tim VogelsInvestigating chloride dynamics in neurological processing and epilepsy using computational methods
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Master of Science in Medicine (MSc Med)
Neuroscience (upgraded)University of Cape Town
2015 - 2016 Supervised by Dr Joseph V. Raimondo and E/Prof Lauriston Kellaway
Advised by Prof Andrew Trevelyan and Prof Tim VogelsChloride dynamics and GABAergic signalling in Deep Brain Stimulation
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Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Computer Science [with first class honours]University of Cape Town
2015 -
Bachelor of Medical Sciences Honours (BMedSc Hons)
Physiology/Neuroscience [with first class honours]University of Cape Town
2014 Supervised by Dr Jacqueline Dimatelis and Prof Vivienne Russel
Vinpocetine improves short-term learning in early alcohol exposed rats by altering synaptophysin levels
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Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Biochemistry & Psychology [with distinction]Rhodes University
2011 - 2013
Notable Awards
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NOMIS Fellowship at ISTA
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DAAD-NRF Joint Scholarship Programme – Masters and Doctoral level
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Short Term Research Scholarship
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Murray-Jelks Scholarship
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Columbia University Travel Stipend
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Alfred Beit Award
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Further education
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Deep Learning Indaba 2023
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Technischen Universität Berlin, Germany
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University of Oxford, United Kingdom
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Bridging the gap between artificial models and cortical circuits
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Mechanisms of epilepsy collapse onto parvalbumin interneuron dysfunction
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Depolarising inhibition underpins a network model of status epilepticus
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Improving computer vision algorithms using neuroscience principles
Scientists have worked to recreate human vision in computers for the past 50 years. But how much about human vision do we actually know? And can the brain be useful in furthering computer vision? |
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Africa in AI: opening panel discussion
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The art of artificial assistants: Bots for business and conversations
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Leadership Positions
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Deep Learning Indaba𝕏 South Africa NPC
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Computational Neuroscience Imbizo
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Cape Town City.AI
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University of Cape Town Cortex Club
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2015 – 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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University of Cape Town Senate Animal Ethics
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Background
I started coding in school when my father taught me professional website development. I have continued to develop across a broad spectrum of applications, languages, and systems. I believe context is everything for allowing data to tell a story. I therefore spend time carefully considering visualisation for comprehensive and concise representing of information. I aim to be creatively analytical and analytically creative.
Born in South Africa, Currin received a BS in biochemistry, computer science and psychology in 2013 from Rhodes University (South Africa), and a PhD in neuroscience from the University of Cape Town (South Africa) in 2020. He has received numerous awards, including the Alfred Beit award for best undergraduate performance at Rhodes University, a prestigious DAAD-NRF Joint Scholarship for masters and doctoral research, as well as visits to the University of Oxford and Technische Universität Berlin. In parallel, Currin has played an active leadership role in growing computational neuroscience and machine learning in Africa through the IBRO-Simons Computational Neuroscience Imbizo and Deep Learning Indaba X initiatives.