Mario Zarco

Interdisciplinary researcher, computational modeller, data analyst, coder


Education

PhD in Computer Science 2018 – 2023

  • University of Auckland, School of Computer Science Auckland, New Zelanad
  • Thesis: Reaching for embodiment: challenges and opportunities for measuring and modeling cognitive behavior.
  • Supervisors:
    • Main supervisor: Dr Matthew Egbert (School of Computer Science)
    • Co-supervisors: Dr Christopher Erb (School of Psychology) and Dr Claire Postlethwaite (Department of Mathematics)

Areas of knowledge: Computational Modeling, Behavioral Data Analysis, Embodied Cognition

MSc in Computer Science 2015 – 2017

  • National Autonomous University of Mexico, Institute of Research in Applied Mathematics and Systems Mexico City, Mexico
  • Thesis: Self-optimization in Hopfield neural networks.
  • Supervisor: Dr Tom Froese

Areas of knowledge: Complex Systems, Artificial Life

BEng in Mechatronic Engineering 2007 – 2012

  • National Autonomous University of Mexico, School of Engineering Mexico City, Mexico

Areas of knowledge: Cybernetics, Modern Control Theory Research Experience

Research Assistant January 2024 – February 2024
CMND Lab1

  • Developed algorithms to calculate hand-tracking metrics of arm-reaching behavior: movement onset time estimation, movement completion identification, trajectory curvature metrics, and changes of trajectory.
  • Developed algorithms to calculate eye-tracking metrics in tasks without oculomotor constraints: saccade estimation and fixation identification.
  • Programmed an automatic data processing pipeline for datasets of different cognition tasks.

Internship October 2023 – December 2023
TransAxon

  • Mapped the scientific literature related to non-invasive neural data decoding using deep-learning models, identifying state-of-the-art algorithms, tasks, hardware, and datasets.
  • Collected information about the hardware used in the literature (EEG, MEG, and fMRI), including company, price range, specs, and types of applications.
  • Identified opportunities to contribute to the current state of non-invasive brain decoding by leveraging publicly available models and datasets.
  • Proposed an idea, supported by evidence of technical feasibility, for the company to pivot towards working on a commercial non-invasive BCI application.

Research Assistant July 2022 – December 2022
CMND Lab1

  • Programmed a visualization tool for hand-tracking and eye-tracking data collected in tasks in virtual reality programmed using Unity 3D.
  • Researched the most suitable methods to preprocess the data collected by the CMND Lab.
  • Programmed a data processing pipeline to calculate temporal and spatial metrics of hand-tracking data.

Research Assistant May 2021 – December 2021
CMND Lab1

  • Programmed cognitive tasks in virtual reality using Unity 3D and implemented a session-block-trial structure for hand- and eye-tracking data collection.
  • Programmed a pipeline to verify and format the data collected in tasks in virtual reality.

Research Assistant July 2020 – December 2020
CMND Lab1

  • Programmed cognitive tasks in virtual reality using Unity 3D and implemented a session-block-trial structure for hand- and eye-tracking data collection.

Research Internship September 2014 – March 2015
Centre of Research in Mathematics (CIMAT)

  • Implemented different monocular visual control techniques for the locomotion of the humanoid robot NAO in a robotics simulation software.
  • Implemented a module for real-time plotting of sensor values in a robotics simulation software.
Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant August 2020 – December 2020
University of Auckland

  • Graded assignments of students enrolled in the course of Artificial Intelligence

Graduate Teaching Assistant March 2020 – June 2020
University of Auckland

  • Tutored students enrolled in the course of Principles of Programming.

Tutor July 2018
National Autonomous University of Mexico

  • Tutored students enrolled in the course Genetic Algorithms: Theory and Applications in Mechatronics Engineering.
Conference Activities

Conference on Artificial Life 2024

  • Reviewer (PC member)

Conference on Artificial Life 2022

  • Reviewer (PC member)

Conference on Artificial Life 2019

  • Oral Presentation: Different Forms of Random Motor Activity Scaffold the Formation of Different Habits in a Simulated Robot

Conference on Complex Systems 2017

  • Oral Presentation: A Review and Critique of Gabora’s Models of Cultural Evolution

Conference on Complex Systems 2017

  • Poster: Self-modeling in continuous-time Hopfield neural networks
Workshops

Emergent Interaction: Complexity, Dynamics, and Enaction in HCI May 2021

  • Virtual Attendee

Enaction and Ecological Psychology: overlaps, tensions and complementarities July 2019

  • Attendee

Evolution and the embodied mind: the biological roots of 4E cognition July 2019

  • Attendee
Languages

Bilingual proficiency in Spanish (Native) and English.

1. Cognitive, Manual, and Neural Dynamics Lab ↩