Computational Neuroscience Researcher
Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham
July 2024 – Present
- Developing novel frameworks to interpret how Large Language Models (e.g., GPT-4-class systems) represent meaning across hidden layers, exploring “iconicity decoding” by comparing distributed semantic representations with human brain activity.
- Designed bidirectional decoding pipelines linking MEG neural signals with linguistic representations, including sensorimotor norm ratings, enabling mapping from brain → language and language → brain.
- Built neural encoding models integrating 54k+ human-rated linguistic features and scaling representations to ~1.9M tokens for modelling speech comprehension across 80+ participants.
- Developed full-stack MEG/fNIRS pipelines (SSS, ICA, TRF modelling), improving signal quality across subjects.
- Analysed motor cortex gamma-band activity in pediatric cohorts (n=37), identifying ~22% reductions in contralateral gamma power in preterm populations.
Research Engineer Intern
Machenn Innovations, Coimbatore, India
Jan 2022 – Apr 2022
- Developed IR-RING, a non-invasive infrared-based biomedical sensing system achieving ~90% accuracy in glucose monitoring, validated against clinical standards.
- Designed signal processing pipelines for physiological inference from electrical and IR sensor data for pre-prandial and post-prandial datasets.
- Published first-author IEEE work demonstrating full system feasibility (Sathishkumar et al., 2022).
Student Researcher
Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Malaysia
Nov 2020 – Jan 2021
- Improved EEG motor imagery classification accuracy using feature extraction, especially multifractals & continous wavelet transform and machine learning classifiers.
Biomedical Engineer Intern
KMCH Hospitals, India
- Optimised medical device performance, handled calibration and troubleshooting, and ensured compliance with biomedical and e-waste regulations.
Leadership & Academic Roles
- Magazine Club Coordinator — initiated academic reading culture through curated scientific resources.
- MHRD Innovation Council Coordinator — organised innovation-driven events and research initiatives.
- Teaching Assistant — conducted peer teaching in DSP, communication systems, and physics while supporting research.