Age:29 E-Mail: tombb@umich.edu Web: www.umich.edu/~tombb
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EDUCATION (University of Michigan -ranked 3rd best engineering university in the nation - source: US NEWS [0]):






Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Computer Engineering - AI (Candidacy: May 1998; Graduated Dec 2003),
   Title: "Computer evolution of gene circuits for cell-embedded computation , biotechnology, and as a model for evolutionary computation" [abstract][toc] [Buy]
   Advisor: John H. Holland
Master (M.S.) in Cognitive/Neuro- Psychology (Expected Aug 2004)
Master (M.S.E.) in BioMedical Engineering (Graduated Dec 2001)
Master (M.S.) in Biological Chemistry (Graduated Dec 2001)
Master (M.S.) in Kinesiology (Graduated May 2001)
Master (M.ENG.) in Aerospace Engineering (Graduated May 1999)
Certificate of Graduate Studies (C.G.S.) in Complex Systems (Graduated May 1999)
Master (M.S.E.) in Computer Science Engineering (Graduated May 1997)
Bachelor of Science and Engineering (B.S.E.) in Computer Engineering (Graduated May 1996)

WORK EXPERIENCE:
Employer Job Title Duration Job Description
Riken Research Institute Wako-shi (Tokyo), Japan Visiting Researcher

Jun 2004 to Present

Leszynsky Group Seattle (Bellevue), WA Senior Software Engineer / Scientist

July 2002 to 2004

 Developing a shape-recognition SDK for tablet-PCs and other pen-based applications that is capable of recognizing, interpreting and correcting hand-drawn diagrams, sketches, etc. over a variety of applications and domains.
The University of Michigan, Biomedical Engineering Lab, Ann Arbor, MI Researcher

May 2001 to July 2002

 My research involves Developing a new type of bio-chip in which living cells are embedded in a network of microscale chambers and channels, using the same technology used to fabricate microprocessors and micro-scale robotics. One of my goals is to use this setting to try hundreds of simultaneous genetic and chemical manipulations on growing cells to test potential treatments to reverse aging in a controlled environment that allows for automated tissue culturing and isolates individual cells and their aging process.
The University of Michigan, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) Dept., Ann Arbor, MI Graduate Student Instructor 

Sept 2001 to
Dec 2001

 Graduate Student Instructor for EECS270 (Intro to Digital Logic Circuit Design)
The University of Michigan, Biochemistry Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), Ann Arbor, MI PhD Training

May 2000 to
July 2002

 My Research focuses on the effects of reversible cell immortalization on replicative senescence and aging. In particular I am using genetic engineering to create a recombinant gene product that can spread from cell to cell, reset their molecular clock and reverse aging, without the potential side-effects of irreversible cell immortalization (e.g., cancer). The pictures show some of my early experiments using monkey cells in which I fused a viral gene to various cancer and coral/jellyfish genes. The viral gene allows it to spread across cells and into the surrounding media and enter the nucleus, while the cancer gene overrides the normal cellular mechanisms, and the fluorescence produced by the coral/jellyfish genes allowed me to see it on a fluorescent microscope in living cells.
Laboratory Rotation

Jan 2000 to
May 2000
Netarx.com, Bingham Farms, MI
Research & Development Department:		 Software Engineer

May 2001 to
Nov 2001

 Redesign existing System to allow scalability, generate network simulations for automated predictions and improvements in a network layout or configuration. Netarx uses AI, automated network traffic monitoring and live technicians to prevent network crashes before they occur.
The picture shows one of the components that I developed, a web-based tool written in Java that allows our corporate partners to monitor and navigate through a dynamic visual representation of their entire network in which any network congestion, security breach, or problem is displayed in real time. Additional features included the ability to predict or deduce possible causes for any network problem and automatic notifications to support and service people.
The University of Michigan, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) Dept., Ann Arbor, MI Graduate Student Instructor 

Feb 2001 to
May 2001

 Graduate Student Instructor for EECS280 (Intro to C++ Programming)
General Inspection Inc  Davisburg, MI Senior Software Engineer

August 2000
to
Nov 2000

 Writing software and developing new laser gauging technology for machines that use laser, ultrasound, and eddy currents to analyze, measure, and sort parts on the fly (~300 parts per minute) with variable specifications.  Data collection, data interpolation to compensate for variable speed/ bouncing/friction, laser signal calibration to compensate for temperature driven fluctuations, automatic shape recognition/analysis/fitting and measurement of relevant features, OLE, Statistical Software, and Database interface, OpenGL, MFC, etc.
Software Engineer

May 1998
to
August 2000
The University of Michigan, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) Dept., Ann Arbor, MI Graduate Student Instructor 

Sept 1997
to
May 1998

 Graduate Student Instructor for EECS370 (Computer Organization, Architecture, and Design) for two terms
The University of Michigan, Artificial Intelligence Lab., Ann Arbor, MI Research Assistant

Sept 1996
to
May 1997

 Researching real time planning and control in multi-agent systems such as the procedural reasoning system used for projects such as RoboCup and the Unmanned Ground Vehicles projects
The University of Michigan, Atmospheric Oceanographic and Space Science (AOSS) Dept., Ann Arbor, MI Intern and Programmer

May 1996
to
July 1996

 Worked on several Artificial Intelligence projects, and programming in C, Java, CGI, and LISP Supervised three other interns and collaborated with a Ph.D. student on an object-oriented database application.
Intern

Sept 1995
to
July 1996

 Research focused on Genetic Programming and emergent intelligent behaviors, as well as its application on various fields ranging from robotics to image-processing and Geoscience. Leading a research team of two other interns.
Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical Research (now Pfizer), Ann Arbor, MI

 

 Intern in the Data-Center division

Summer 1995

 Developed new programs, applications and scripts for 6 NT servers. Helped with migration from VAX systems. Developed an automatic back-up scheme and supervised data back-ups and restores.

HONORS AND ACTIVITIES:
  • Reviewer for the International Journal IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation (April 2003, Jan 2000, April 1999) [IEEE Transactions is one of the most accredited journals in the field of Computer and Electrical Engineering]
  • Board Member and Referee for the following International Conferences: "Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference 2002", "Evolutionary Computation 2000", "Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference 1999", "Genetic Programming 1998", "Genetic Programming 1997"
  • Undergraduate Honors: UM Class Honors 03/23/96, UM Dean's List 12/31/95, UM Dean's List 08/18/95.

    • PUBLICATIONS:

    Book Chapters:

  • X. Zhu, T. Bersano-Begey, Y. Kamotani, and S. Takayama. "Microbioreactors", Wiley Encyclopedia of Medical Devices and Instrumentation, 2nd edition. J.G. Webster (editior). John Wiley & Sons.
  • Zhu Xiaoyue, Tommaso F. Bersano-Begey, Shuichi Takayama: "Nanomaterials for Cell Biology" chapter in "Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology" American Scientific Publishers ISBN 1-58883-001-2 May 2003
  • Daida, J.M., J.D. Hommes, Tommaso F. Bersano-Begey, S.J. Ross, and J.F. Vesecky, "Algorithm Discovery Using the Genetic Programming Paradigm: Extracting Low-Contrast Curvilinear Features from SAR Images of Arctic Ice," Advances in Genetic Programming II, P. Angeline and K. Kinnear, Jr. (ed.) Cambridge: The MIT Press, 1996.
    PhD Dissertation:
  • Tommaso F. Bersano-Begey. "Computer evolution of gene circuits for cell-embedded computation , biotechnology, and as a model for evolutionary computation" PhD Dissertation, The University of Michigan, 2003, 222 pages [pdf-toc]
     Review Journal Articles:
  • Jeongsup Shim, Tommaso F. Bersano-Begey, Xiaoyue Zhu, Alan H. Tkaczyk, Jennifer Linderman, and Shuichi Takayama: "Micro- and Nano-technologies for Studying Cellular Function" Current Topics In Medicinal Chemistry, Bentham Science Publishers. 2003;3(6):687-703. PMID:12570859
    Refereed Publications:
  • Bersano-Begey, Tommaso F., "Cellular Programming and Bioware: Computer Evolution of Gene Circuits to Re-Program Living Cells", proceeding of the Evolutionary Computation in the Industry track of the Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference 2002, New York, NY.
  • Bersano-Begey, Tommaso F., J.M. Daida, J.F. Vesecky, and F.L. Ludwig, "A Java Collaborative Interface for Genetic Programming Applications: Image Analysis for Scientific Inquiry", proceedings of the 1997 IEEE International Conference of Evolutionary Computation (ICEC '97), April 13-16, 1997, IEEE Press.
  • Polito, J., J.M. Daida,Tommaso F. Bersano-Begey, "Musica ex Machina: Composing 16th-Century Counter-point with Genetic Programming and Symbiosis", Proceedings of the VI International Conference of Evolutionary Programming (EP97), April 13-16, 1997, Angeline et al. (Eds), Springer Press.
  • Ross, S.J., J.M. Daida, C.M. Doan, Tommaso F. Bersano-Begey, and J.J. McClain, "The Wall Following Robot Revisited," 1996. Genetic Programming 1996: Proceedings of the First Annual Conference, July 28-31, 1996, Stanford University, Camb ridge, MA: The MIT Press.
  • Daida, J.M., Tommaso F. Bersano-Begey, S.J. Ross, and J.F. Vesecky, "Computer-Assisted Design of Image Analysis Algorithms: Dynamic and Static Fitness Evaluations in a Scaffolded Environment," 1996. Genetic Programming 1996: Proceedings of the First Annual Conference, July 28-31, 1996, Stanford University, Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.
    Conference Publications and talks: 7 conference publications and 3 talks at international conferences, including:
  • Bersano-Begey, Tommaso F., Jason M. Daida "A Discussion on Generality and Robustness and A Framework for Fitness Set Construction in Genetic Programming to Promote Robustness." 1997. GeneticProgramming 1997: Late-Breaking Papers, July 13-17, 1997, StanfordUniversity, Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.
  • Bersano-Begey, Tommaso F." Controlling Exploration,Diversity and Escaping Local Optima in GP: Adapting Weights of Training Sets to Model Resource Consumption " 1997. Genetic Programming 1997:Late-Breaking Papers, July 13-17, 1997, Stanford University, Cambridge, MA:The MIT Press.

    		•

    COURSES TAKEN sorted by Field / Department

    Chemistry: General and Inorganic Chemistry I & Lab, General Chemistry and Reactivity, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry
    Math: Calculus I, II, III, Differential Equations, Honors Linear Algebra, Probability, Intro Adaptive Systems
    Physics: General Physics I, II, & Labs, Quantum Mechanics & Modern Particle, Physics of Nonlinear Dynamical Systems
    Statistics: Statistics and Data Analysis, Probability, Prob. Methods in Engineering
    Anatomy and Cell Biology: Cellular Biotechnology, Molecular Cell Biology
    Biological Chemistry: BioInformatics Seminar, Biochemistry Lab, Survey in BioInformatics, Protein Structure, DNA & Nucleic Acids, Gene Expression, Enzyme Kinetics, Catalysis, Critical Analysis, Biochemistry Research (lab rotation, HHMI at UM), Signal Transduction Regulation and Development
    Cell and Developmental Biology:Organogenesis of Complex Tissues I: Gut, Organogenesis of Complex Tissues II: Neural Crest, Organogenesis of Complex Tissues III: Skeletal Muscle 
    Human Genetics: Gene Structure and Regulation
    MicroBiology and Immunology: Cellular Biotechnology, Microbial Genetics, Microbial Physiology and metabolism, Immunology, Cancer Cell Biology, Molecular and Cellular Viral Pathogenesis, DNA Tumor Viruses, RetroViruses, Graduate Seminar
    NeuroScience: NeuroBiology of Learning, Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience
    Aerospace Engineering: Prob. Methods in Engineering, Spacecraft Technology, Space Plasma Physics
    Atmospheric, Oceanographic, and Space Science Engineering    : Space System Design for Environmental Observation, Space System Design for Space Sciences, Space Plasma Physics
    BioMedical Engineering: BioMedical Materials, MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Ethics & Enterprise, Micro- and Nano-Technology for Biology, Biomedical Engineering Research, Biomedical Engineering Graduate Seminar
    Electrical Engineering and Computer Science: Circuit Analysis, Logic Design, ANSI C Programming & Data Structures, Transistors and Digital Electronics, Discrete Structures, CPU Organization, Architecture & Design, Design of MicroProcessor Systems, Data Structures & Algorithms. in C++, Linear Spaces & Matrix Theory, Solid State Devices Lab, Probabilistic Methods in Engineering, VLSI Design (Very Large Scale Integration), Foundations of Theoretical Computer Science, Switching Theory and Sequential systems , Operating Systems, Computer Networks, Artificial Intelligence, MEMS: Micro Electro Mechanical Systems, Virtual Reality, Web and Internet, Knowledge Systems, Electronic Commerce, Theorethical Computer Science I, Advanced Operating Systems, Advanced Databases, Parallel Programming and Algorithms, Advanced Artificial Intelligence, Adaptive Systems, Cryptography, Nano-Electronics and Nano-Fabrication, Neural Models
    Material Science Engineering: Fundamentals of Material Science Engineering, Biomedical Materials and Applications
    Nuclear Engineering: Elements of Nuclear Engineering
    Applied Physics: Applied Physics Grad Seminar
    BioPhysics    : Electrical BioPhysics and Cellular Neurophysiology, Enzymes, Proteins, and Nucleic Acids
    Complex Systems [PSCS]: Adaptive Systems, Empirical analysis of Non-Linear Systems, Computer Modeling, Dynamical Complex Systems
    Economics: Micro-Economic Theory
    Kinesiology: Legal Aspects of Sport, Seminar in Motor Control, Exercise Physiology and Nutrition, Current Issues in Kinesiology, Philosophy of Science and Research in Kinesiology, Independent Study on Muscle Growth, Strength and Training Strategies
    Philosophy: General, Issues in Bio-Ethics, Space Time & Einstein's Relativity, Ethical Analysis, History of Ethics, Philosophy of Science, Current Philosophy - The Self, Philosophy of Language
    Psychology: General Psychology, Adaptive Systems, Psychology Graduate Proseminar, Neural Models , Personality Psychology, Cognitive Modeling
    Other: Drafting with Autocad 13, Political Science, History, English Composition

    Classes attended but not taken for credit: Intro to Robotics (Mechanical Engineering), Monolithic Amplifier Circuits (Electrical Engineering), Digital Integrated Circuits Fabrication (Electrical Engineering).

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