MD/PhD program.
PhD in computational neuroscience working with calcium imaging in mice, and right now I am working on a deep learning project with Dr. Kolachalama in computational biology. I’d love to have a career where I can combine my interests in radiology with advances in AI
CURRICULUM VITAE
Michael Francis Romano
203-521-5575
620 Columbus Ave, Apt 1, Boston MA 02118
Education
MD/PhD Student, Computational Neuroscience
GPA: 3.95
Clinical grades: 4 x Honors, 3 x High Pass (Medicine, Psychology, Neurology)
USMLE Step 1: 256, Step 2 CK: 262
Advisor: Xue Han, Han Lab
Boston University, 2012-present
Boston, Massachussetts
BS, Chemistry
Cum Laude
Davidson College, 2009-2012
Davidson, North Carolina
BS, Biochemistry (transferred)
Georgetown University, 2008-2009
Washington, D.C.
Work and Research Experience
Boston University, Project leader, 2020-present
Kolachalama Lab, PI: Vijaya Kolachalama, PhD
Boston, MA
-Currently building a conditional generative adversarial network that can augment T1-weighted MRI scans with AV-1451 tau PET scans in Alzheimer’s Disease cohort and using this network to predict progression from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s Disease
Boston University, Graduate Student, 2014-2019
Han Lab, PI: Xue Han, PhD (2015-2019)
Kopell lab, PI: Nancy Kopell (2014-2015)
Boston, MA
-Dissertation demonstrated the contribution to voluntary movement of two types of interneurons in the mouse striatum. Involved statistical analysis, statistical modeling and image processing of two-color calcium imaging videos and associated behavioral data
–Built novel experimental interfaces for calcium imaging using microcontrollers
–In Kopell lab, performed data analysis of local field potential data from mouse models of Parkinson’s Disease to try to understand how beta oscillations are generated in a parkinsonian state.
Addis Clinic, Mobile App Developer, Summer-Fall 2015
Boston, MA
–Contributed to development of Django-based middleware layer written in the Python programming language for the Addis Clinic mobile app. This app connected patients and clinicians with limited internet access and speeds in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with American clinicians to improve patient care in Addis.
Boston University, Rotation Student, Summer 2014
Eden/Kramer Lab, PI: Mark Kramer, PhD
Boston, MA
–Analyzed neuronal local field potential time series data from mouse models of Parkinson’s Disease
Boston University, Rotation Student, Summer 2013
Han Lab, PI: Xue Han, PhD
Boston, MA
-Contributed to the construction and design of a three-dimensional floating treadmill, including establishing data transfer between a Linux computer and Windows machine
Davidson College, Undergraduate Researcher, Summer 2011
Chemistry Department, PI: Erland Stevens, PhD
Davidson, NC
–Worked on developing an analogue of Ribavirin, an antiretroviral drug.
-Results presented at the National American Chemical Society meeting in San Diego in March 2012
Programming/Skills
Languages: Python, MATLAB (fluent), bash, R (intermediate), C++, Arduino (some)
Frameworks: Django
Other: Linux, statistical analysis, statistical modeling, machine learning, image processing, microcontroller devices and experimental design
Publications
House, A.E., Romano, M.F., Orczykowski, M.E., Zumwalt, A., Devaiah, A.K. Multimodal microvascular mapping for head and neck, skull base research and education: an anatomical donor study. (Submitted).
Smith, A.C.W. Smith, Jonkman, S., Difeliceantonio, A.G., O’Connor, R.M., Ghoshal, S., Romano, M.F., Everitt, B.J., Kenny, P.J. New goal-directed actions are encoded by the brain habit center. (Submitted)
Rague, J.T., Greear, G.M., Romano, M.F., Katz, M.H., Munarriz, R. Testicular torsion: epidemiological risk factors for orchiectomy in pediatric and adult patients. (Conditionally accepted: IJIR, Your Sexual Medicine Journal).
Shemesh, O. A., Linghu, C., Piatkevich, K. D., Goodwin, D., Gritton, H. J., Romano, M. F., Siciliano, C., Gao, R., Yu, C. C., Tseng, H.A., Bensussen, S., Narayan, S., Yang, C. T., Freifeld, L., Gupta, I., Noamany, H., Pak, N., Yoon, Y.G., Ullmann, J. F. P., Guner-Ataman, B., Sheinkopf, Z. R., Park, W. M., Asano, S., Keating, A. E., Trimmer, J. S., Reimer, J., Tolias, A., Tye, K. M., Han, X., Ahrens, M. B., Boyden, E. S. Precision calcium imaging of dense neural populations via a cell body-targeted calcium indicator. Neuron (In press).
Piatkevich, K.D., Bensussen, S., Tseng H.A., Shroff, S.N., Lopez-Huerta, V.G., Park, D., Shemesh, O.A., Straub, C., Gritton, H.J., Romano, M.F., Costa, E., Sabatini, B.L., Fu, Z., Boyden, E.S., Han, X. Population imaging of neural activity in awake behaving mice. Nature 2019;574(7778):413-417.
Romano, M., Bucklin, M., Mehrotra, D.R., Kessel, R., Gritton. H., Han, X. A Teensy microcontroller-based interface for optical imaging camera control during behavioral experiments. J Neurosci Methods 2019;320:107-115.
Gritton, H.*, Howe, M.*, Romano, M.*, DiFeliceantonio, A.G., Kramer, M.A., Saligrama, V., Bucklin, M.E., Zemel, D., Han, X. Unique contributions of parvalbumin and cholinergic interneurons in organizing striatal networks during movement. Nat Neurosci 2019;22(4):586-597. *Authors contributed equally
Pittman‐Polletta, B. R., Quach, A., Mohammed, A. I., Romano, M., Kondabolu, K., Kopell, N. J., Han, X. and McCarthy, M. M. Striatal cholinergic receptor activation causes a rapid, selective and state‐dependent rise in cortico‐striatal β activity. Eur J Neurosci 2018;48:2857-2868.
Paidas, M.J., Annunziato, J., Romano, M., Weiss, L., Or, R., Barnea, E.R.. Pregnancy and Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A beneficial association. Possible therapeutic application of embryo-specific Pre-implantation Factor (PIF). Am J Reprod Immunol 2012;68(6):456-64.
Paidas, M.J., Krikun, G., Huang, S.J., Jones, R., Romano, M., Annunziato, J., Barnea, E.R.. A genomic and proteomic investigation of the impact of preimplantation factor on human decidual cells. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2010;202:459.e1-8.
Sasson, I., Triche, E.W., Azpurua, H., Romano, M., Paidas, M.. Short cervix and negative fetal fibronectin: low risk of delivery within 2 weeks of screening. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008;199:6, s49.
Extracurricular interests/volunteering
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boston, MA, April 2020
-Transported and delivered supplies needed for homeless persons to construct face masks to protect from COVID-19
CALM (Cuddling Assists in Lowering Maternal and Infant Stress), Boston Medical Center, February-May 2019
–Provided care for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome
Volunteer with International Nursing Incorporated, Cotui, Dominican Republic, January 2016
–Volunteered as medical student to see patients with no or limited access to healthcare in the Dominican Republic
Volunteer at Museum of Science for Brain Awareness Week, Museum of Science, Boston, MA, March 2015/March 2016
–Ran informational booths at the Museum of Science to educate and expose children to the world of brain science
Hobbies
-Meditation, yoga, programming, statistics and machine learning, reading (philosophy, psychoanalysis)