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Marco Antonio Pinto-Orellana

Rochester, NY | mapcgns@rit.edu | linkedin.com/in/marcoapintoo

Education

PhD in Engineering Sciences

2021

Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway

Dissertation: “Time-spectral modeling of biomedical signals.” Advisor: Prof. Hugo Hammer.

MSc in Computer Science

2017

Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil

Dissertation topic: “Machine learning, signal processing and electrical signals.” Advisor: Prof. Fabio Cerqueira.

TKSAT-1 postgraduate in Space Segment and Satellite Design

2013

China Academy of Space Technology (中国空间技术研究院神舟学院), China

Project: “Communication satellites, and attitude and orbit control mathematical modeling.” Advisor: Prof. Zhang Shuhua.

BSc in Telecommunications Engineering

2012

Bolivian Catholic University, Bolivia

Dissertation: “Wireless communications and brain signals.” Advisor: Prof. Ramiro Fuentes.

Research experience

Assistant Professor

Jul 2025 – present

Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA

  • Develop causal cross-frequency models to improve detection of electro-hemodynamic dynamics.
  • Redesigned the class CGNS410: Imaging and Neuroscience to integrate state-of-art statistical models into neuroscience interpretation
  • Redesigned the class CGNS421: Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence integrating the design of a mini-brain as part of the course
  • Developed content focusing on hands-on experiences to promote experiential learning.

Postdoctoral Researcher in Biomedical Engineering

Feb 2023 – Jul 2025

University of California, Irvine, CA, USA

  • Developed a high-performance statistical hypothesis test for phase-amplitude coupling that reduced the uncertainty estimation time from 2.5 s to 3.75 ms.
  • Developed a novel connectivity method that predicts seizure-generating tissue with a ROC-AUC higher than 80% across several datasets.
  • Proposed a model, based on reinforcement learning in game theory, that explains 80% of seizure-related abnormalities.

Graduate Researcher in Statistics and Artificial Intelligence

Nov 2018 – Nov 2021

Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway

  • Increased brain connectivity prediction accuracy by 10% with large-scale Bayesian models.
  • Implemented and optimized signal processing and AI algorithms as statsmodels/sklearn-compatible Python packages.
  • Developed 2D/3D visualization tools for brain signals in WebGL (JS, PixiJS, Three.js).

Graduate Researcher in Statistics

Jul 2017 – Jul 2018

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

  • Developed real-time causality analysis models (16 ms delay) using Kalman filters and coding theory.
  • Designed cross-platform applications for complex statistical models using MATLAB and Python.

Professional experience

Data Scientist

Nov 2021 – Nov 2022

Consigli AS, Oslo, Norway

  • Co-led a project funded with a 5 MM NOK research grant from Innovasjon Norge.
  • Developed a high-performance discrete optimization engine in C# and Python.
  • Integrated large ML modules (>70K CLOC) into a flexible, strongly typed backend system.
  • Reduced the execution time of a 2D routing system from 1.5 hours to 2 minutes.

Software Engineer

Nov 2014 – Jan 2015

Salamanca Solutions International S.R.L., Cochabamba, Bolivia

  • Improved the UX and business logic of a CRM system built with Spring and Vaadin (Java).

Honors and awards

AES Fellow Program

Dec 2024

American Epilepsy Society

Doctoral degree requirements finished in 2.5 years

Nov 2018 – May 2021

Oslo Metropolitan University

Norwegian Research Council: Research Grant

Nov 2018 – May 2021

Oslo Metropolitan University

Patient-Centric Engineering in Rehabilitation Project, No. 273599.

Organization of American States: MSc Scholarship

Mar 2015 – May 2017

OAS – Federal University of Viçosa

Bolivia–China TKSAT Satellite Scholarship

Nov 2012 – Nov 2013

China Academy of Space Technology – Shenzhou Institute

9th of 1,742 applicants; youngest selected candidate (21 years old).

Distinguished with honors in BSc Research Thesis

May 2012

Bolivian Catholic University

BCU BSc Scholarship

Jan 2007 – Oct 2012

Bolivian Catholic University

1st of 5 selected awards; youngest selected candidate (15 years old).

Certificates

Appreciative Advising Institute

Jul 2026

Office of Appreciative Education, Florida Atlantic University

Excellence in STEM Teaching and Mentoring

Sep 2025 – Apr 2026

Rochester Institute of Technology

Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring

Sep 2025 – Apr 2026

Rochester Institute of Technology

Effective Mentoring Program

Oct 2024

University of California, Irvine

Certificate in Course Design (University Studies 390X)

Sep 2024

University of California, Irvine

Talks and posters

2026

  1. fNIRS workshop. Rochester Institute of Technology, Neuroscience @ CGNS 501, .

  2. fNIRS fundamentals. Rochester Institute of Technology, Neuroscience @ CGNS 222, .

  3. fNIRS fundamentals & mini workshop. Rochester Institute of Technology, Neuroscience @ CGNS 310, .

  4. Cross-Frequency Coupling and Harmonics in Epileptogenic Zones. Rochester Institute of Technology, Department of Computer Engineering Technology @ CMPE-795, .

  5. Workship on fNIRS recordings. Rochester Institute of Technology, Neuroscience program @ Participants: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology at RIT; Biostatistics Program from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, .

2025

  1. fNIRS fundamentals. Rochester Institute of Technology, Cognitive Science @ COGS 610, .

  2. Causal cross-frequency coupling framework for brain dynamic changes in dementia. Rochester Institute of Technology, Applied Mathematics @ Math Modeling Seminar, .

  3. Preprocessing, artifact rejection, modeling and analysis of fNIRS. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Biostatistics (Zoom) , .

  4. Neural basis of fNIRS. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Biostatistics (Zoom) , .

  5. fNIRS fundamentals. Rochester Institute of Technology, Neuroscience @ CGNS 310, .

Publications

See the full list of publications.