Education
PhD Biomedical Artificial Intelligence, University of Edinburgh, UK.
2021 - Ongoing
Member of the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Biomedical Artificial Intelligence.
MScR Biomedical Artificial Intelligence, University of Edinburgh, UK. Distinction
2020 - 2021
Earned as part of the CDT. Thesis title: Preliminary Investigations of Circular Inference in Bipolar Disorders.
MPhil Neurorobotics, University of Sheffield, UK.
2018 - 2020
Thesis title: Embodying a Computational Model of Hippocampal Replay for Robotic Reinforcement Learning.
MSc (Hons) Computational Intelligence and Robotics, University of Sheffield, UK. Distinction
2016 - 2017
Thesis title: A Vision Based Study on Collective Behaviour in Mammal-like Robots.
BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, Sheffield Hallam University, UK. First Class.
2012 - 2016
Thesis title: Automatic Torque and Speed Control of a Robotic Gripper.
Academic Publications
Journal Papers
Whelan, Matthew T., Alejandro Jimenez-Rodriguez, Tony J. Prescott and Eleni Vasilaki. (2022) A Robotic Model of Hippocampal Reverse Replay for Reinforcement Learning. Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-3190/ac9ffc.
Conference Proceedings (Peer Reviewed Article + Talk)
Whelan M. T., Prescott T. J., & Vasilaki E. (2020) Fast Reverse Replays of Recent Spatiotemporal Trajectories in a Robotic Hippocampal Model. Conference on Biomimetic and Biohybrid Systems, Online. Living Machines 2020. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 12413, 390-401. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10 .1007/978-3-030-64313-3_37
Whelan M.T., Vasilaki E., & Prescott T.J. (2019) Robots that Imagine – Can Hippocampal Replay Be Utilized for Robotic Mnemonics?. Conference on Biomimetic and Biohybrid Systems, Nara, Japan. Living Machines 2019. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 11556, 277-286. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10 .1007/978-3-030-24741-6_24.
Experience
Teaching and Public Engagement
Teaching Assistant, Undergraduate Module in Machines and Intelligence, University of Sheffield.
2018 - 2019
I developed a Python based GUI that aided the student’s understanding of basic Computer Vision techniques, as well as provide general assistance with students and preparation of lab materials.
Public Engagement and Outreach, Sheffield Robotics, Sheffield, UK.
2017 - 2019
Public engagement on behalf of Sheffield Robotics at events such as London New Scientist Live, Manchester/Cheltenham Science Festivals and Human Brain Project Summits. I demonstrated robots and discussed current research in, and the impact and future of, robots with the public.
Vocational
Machine Learning and Robotics Developer, Consequential Robotics, Bristol, UK.
Sep - Dec 2017
Short role involving the development of computer vision algorithms for robotic detection tasks.
Intern – Software Development and Project Management, Eaton Electric Ltd, Manchester, UK.
2014 - 2015
Completed as part of the BEng with integrated year in industry. Work included software development and data analysis for heavy duty transmission systems and project engineering. I won the company’s Student of the Year award for the work completed during the placement.
Awards and Scholarships
Nicholson Prize for Masters Studies (MSc Best Overall Performance and Joint Best Thesis) (2017)
Sheffield University Masters Scholarship (£10k) (2016)
Student of the Year during internship at Eaton Electric Ltd (2015)
Technical Skills
Intermediate: Python, LaTeX, Bash/Linux/UNIX, Robot Operating System (ROS).
Basic: C++, C, MATLAB, Java, R, HTML/CSS, VB.