About Me

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I’m Diogo Duarte, a Data/ML Engineer and Neuroscience PhD with 10+ years of experience building high-throughput data acquisition systems, ML/AI pipelines, and experimental platforms for academic research and industry deployment.

Currently, I work as a Lab Manager & Research Software Engineer at NOVA SBE, where I manage IT and lab resources, develop software for data collection and automation, and create end-user evaluation methods for clients in SaaS and AI solutions.

Background

I completed my PhD in Neuroscience at the International Neuroscience Doctoral Programme (ITQB-NOVA/Fundação Champalimaud) from 2018-2024, where I focused on understanding motor control through neural population coding and behavioral analysis. My engineering foundation comes from degrees in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Lisbon.

Throughout my career, I’ve developed a versatile skill set spanning:

  • Data engineering and ML: Building ETL pipelines, ML models, and data-driven solutions
  • Computer vision: Image processing, deep learning, and animal behavior tracking
  • Experimental systems: Multi-sensor integration, high-speed data acquisition, and automation
  • Software engineering: Full-stack development, system architecture, and deployment

Core Competencies

Data & ML Engineering

  • ETL pipeline design and implementation
  • Machine learning modeling (regression, classification, deep learning)
  • Time series and image analysis
  • Data analysis and statistical modeling

Computer Vision

  • Classical image processing techniques
  • Deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs)
  • Behavior tracking and motion analysis
  • Video analysis at scale (430+ fps)

Experimental Platforms

  • Multi-stream data acquisition systems (National Instruments DAQ)
  • Neurobehavioral setup design and assembly
  • Hardware-software integration
  • Large-scale distributed computing and containerization

Software Development

  • Full software development lifecycle
  • System architecture and design
  • End-user evaluation and testing
  • Documentation and collaboration

Technical Skills

Programming Languages

  • Python, C, C++, Matlab/Octave, git

Machine Learning & Data Science

  • TensorFlow, Keras, scikit-learn
  • OpenCV, Pandas, NumPy
  • ETL, SQL databases

Data Visualization

  • Plotly, Dash
  • Power BI
  • Matplotlib, Seaborn

Hardware & Systems

  • DAQ systems and electronics
  • Computer-aided design (CAD)
  • Docker containerization
  • System administration

Professional Experience

Lab Manager & Research Software Engineer — NOVA SBE (2025-present)

  • Managed IT and lab resources for experimentation and teaching
  • Developed and validated software for data collection and automation
  • Created end-user evaluation methods for clients in SaaS and AI solutions

Graduate Researcher — Fundação Champalimaud (2018-2024)

  • Designed and assembled neurobehavioral experimental setups for mouse research
  • Engineered multi-stream data acquisition systems integrating NI DAQ and high-speed video (430 fps)
  • Computationally optimized firing rate estimation from neural data (30x performance improvement)
  • Implemented computer vision pipelines for animal tracking using classical and deep learning methods
  • Developed neural decoding models to predict animal behavior from neural population activity
  • Deployed virtual containers for large-scale neural simulations on remote servers

Software Engineer & Data Scientist — Instituto de Biofísica e Engenharia Biomédica (2017)

  • Created medical imaging analysis pipelines for pre-surgical planning
  • Tuned blind source separation models for functional imaging in patients
  • Automated functional imaging report generation
  • Coordinated with medicine and engineering teams

Game Software Developer — Museu dos Valores Universais (2016)

  • Implemented facial mimicry interactive game for children using Unity and C#

Researcher / MSc. Student — Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, UCL (2014-2015)

  • Developed hardware and software for human behavioral experiments
  • Quantified behavior through time series analysis
  • Estimated neural encoding schemas via multivariate analysis

Education

PhD in Neuroscience International Neuroscience Doctoral Programme, ITQB-NOVA / Fundação Champalimaud
Mar 2018 – Dec 2024 | Lisboa, Portugal

MSc in Biomedical Engineering Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa
Sep 2013 – May 2016 | Lisboa, Portugal

BSc in Biomedical Engineering Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa
Sep 2010 – Jul 2013 | Lisboa, Portugal

Languages

  • Portuguese (Native)
  • English (Fluent)

Interests

I’m passionate about understanding how systems work—whether neural circuits, experimental setups, or data pipelines. I believe in building solutions with rigor and care, combining scientific methodology with engineering excellence. I thrive when learning new skills and collaborating with talented colleagues on ambitious projects.

Interested in collaborating or discussing research and technology?

Feel free to reach out via email, connect on LinkedIn, or check out my work on GitHub.