Who are you!?

I'm Cyrus Omar.

Academic

I'm interested in understanding how intelligence arises from the dynamics of networks of neurons. So I build large-scale, semi-realistic computational models to study perception and learning in the brain. By large-scale, I mean millions of synapses running on GPGPUs or supercomputers and by semi-realistic, I mean:
  • Low-dimensional spiking neurons
  • Phenomenological synaptic plasticity rules
  • Network architectures with a basis in anatomy and development
I study general dynamical properties and am also quite interested in perceptual phenomena like associative learning, evidence accumulation, attention and novelty detection.

I'm working on my PhD at the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh. I'm advised by Brent Doiron.

Before coming to CMU, I got bachelors degrees in Computer Science and Molecular & Cellular Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. There, I worked

  • with Tsvi Achler on a dynamical model for pattern recognition in structured, high-dimensional spaces, inspired by the olfactory system
  • with Todd Coleman and Tim Bretl on optimal (in the information theoretic sense) interfaces for EEG-based brain-computer interfaces and other rehabilitative systems with highly impoverished throughput
You can read more about my current and past research in the Projects section. My c.v. and publications are also available.

Other Research Interests

I have stealthy projects I work on sometimes related to programming languages and compilers. I'm interested in run-time support for dynamic languages, metaprogramming, intentional programming, concurrency constructs and programmable user interfaces.

Activism

I am an occasional activist for issues relating to the way our government is structured - things like campaign finance reform, voting systems, transparency and oversight. I believe that deficiencies in these areas are holding us back from effectively addressing the more concrete issues that dominate politics.

Contact

The best way to contact me is via email. My address is cyrus.omar@gmail.com. If you want to contact me some other way or stalk me or something, here is the relevant information:
Office:
600A Thackeray Hall
139 University Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
[map]

Phone: (302) 743-1494
Google Talk / Jabber: cyology@gmail.com