Alexander C. Shkolnik

                    Permanent Address:                                                                 Present Address

                    77 Kirkwood Rd                                                                          71 Fulkerson St Apt 104

                    West Hartford, CT 06117                                                          Cambridge, MA 02141

                    860-236-9969                                                                             Cell: 617-939-4363  

                                                                                             Shkolnik at MIT dot edu

SUMMARY

EDUCATION

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)                                         Cambridge , MA

Candidate for PhD in Computer Science / Artificial Intelligence        December 2009 (expected)

Minor in Computational Neuroscience

4.9 / 5.0 GPA

Thesis: Sample-Based Motion Planning for High Dimensional and Differentially Constrained Systems 

Adviser: Russ Tedrake

Emory University, 4.0 / 4.0 GPA in CS / Math major, 3.8 overall                         Atlanta , GA

M.S. in Computer Science / Mathematics                                                           August 2003

Thesis: Neurally controlled simulated robot: applying cultured neurons to handle an approach / avoidance task in real time, and a framework for studying learning in vitro 

Adviser: Steve Potter, Laboratory for NeuroEngineering, GA Tech.

B.S. in Computer Science/Mathematics, Summa Cum Laude                               May 2003

 2 ^nd major in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Hall High School                                                                                         West Hartford , CT

Graduated with High Honors, GPA of 3.8/4.0                                                              June 1999

HONORS

NSF / JSPS EAPSI Japan Fellowship , Summer 2007

National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellow , 2003 - 2006

Accelerated 4 yr B.S. / M.S. program in Computer Science / Mathematics, Emory

Honors Program in Computer Science / Mathematics, Emory (graduated Summa Cum Laude)

Emory University Dean’s List

Who’s Who Among American College Students, 2003

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for Excellence in Science - honorable mention, 2002

Summer Undergraduate Research at Emory (SURE) Fellow, 2001 and 2002

The National Dean’s List, 2000

Golden key,international academic honor society, member since 2003 (top 15% of Emory class)

Phi Beta Kappa, National academic honor society, junior inductee, member since 2002

Omicron Delta Kappa, National leadership honor society, member since 2002

Nu Rho Psi, Neuroscience honor society, member since 2001

Omicron Delta Epsilon , International economics honor society, member since 2002

Peer Reviewed Conference / Journal Papers and Book Chapters

Shkolnik, A., Levashov, M., Itani, S. and Tedrake, R., "Motion Planning for Bounding on Rough Terrain with the LittleDog Robot." Submitted to the IEEE/RAS International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), 2010.

Nabours, S., Shkolnik, N., and Shkolnik, A., "High Efficiency Hybrid Cycle Rotary Engine." Submitted to the SAE World Congress, SAE Paper #10PFL-0933, 2010.

Shkolnik, A., and Tedrake, R., "Path planning in 1000+ dimensions using a task-space voronoi bias." In Proceedings of the IEEE/RAS International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), Kobe, Japan. 2009.

Shkolnik, A., Walter, M., Tedrake, R., "Reachability-guided sampling for planning under differential constraints." In Proceedings of the IEEE/RAS International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), Kobe, Japan. 2009.

Shkolnik N., Shkolnik A. Rotary High Efficiency Hybrid Cycle Engine. SAE Paper 2008-01-2448. Proceedings of the SAE Powertrains, Fuels, and Lubricants Meeting, October 2008, Chicago, IL.

Shkolnik, A., and Tedrake, R. "High-dimensional underactuated motion planning via task space control." IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS). IEEE/RSJ, September 22-28, 2008, Nice, France.

Byl, K., Shkolnik, A., Prentice, S., Roy, N., and Tedrake, R. Reliable dynamic motions for a stiff quadruped. in Experimental Robotics: The 11th International Symposium, O. Khatib et al. (Editors), pp. 319-329, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2009. Presented at ISER, July 14-17, 2008, Athens, Greece. Winner, IFRR Student Fellowship Award (Best Paper / Presentation by Katie Byl)

Doshi, F., Brunskill, E., Shkolnik, A,. Kollar, T., Rohanimanesh, K., Tedrake, R., Roy, N. “ A Supervised Learning Approach for Collision Detection in Legged Locomotion. ” In proceedings of the 2007 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (2007 IROS) Oct 29 - Nov 2, 2007, San Diego.

Bakkum, D., Chao, Z., Gamblen, P., Ben-Ary, G., Shkolnik, A., DeMarse, T., Potter, S. "Embodying Cultured Networks with a Robotic Drawing Arm." 29th Conference of IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, Aug 23-26, 2007, Lyon, France

Shkolnik A., Tedrake, R. “Inverse Kinematics for a Point-Foot Quadruped Robot with Dynamic Redundancy Resolution.” 2007 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), Apr 10-14, 2007, Rome

Shkolnik N., Shkolnik A. “High Efficiency Hybrid Cycle Engine” , Proceedings of the ASME Internal Combustion Engine Division 2006 Spring Technical Conference (Note, paper was presented in Fall conference, Ottawa , Sept. 12-14, 2005).

Potter, S., DeMarse, B., Bakkum, D., Booth M., Brumfield, J., Chao, Z., Madhaven, R., Passaro, P., Rambani, K., Shkolnik, A., Towal, B. (2004). "Hybrots: Hybrids of living neurons and robots for studying neural computation," Brain Inspired Cognitive Systems (BICS), Scotland, UK

Bakkum, D. J., Shkolnik, A. C., Ben-Ary, G., Gamblen, P., DeMarse T. D., and Potter, S. M. (2004) "Removing some 'A' from AI: Embodied Cultured Networks" in Embodied Artificial Intelligence, Fumiya Iida, Luc Steels and Rolf Pfeiffer, editors, LNAI 3139, pp. 130–145, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Conference Posters, Abstracts & Demonstrations

Levashov, M., Shkolnik, A., Itani, S., and Tedrake, R. "Feedback Control of Dynamic Bounding Gaits on LittleDog." Poster presented at Dynamic Walking: Principles and Concepts of Legged Locomotion, June 2009

Shkolnik, A., and Tedrake, R. "High-dimensional underactuated motion planning via task space control." Poster presented at the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS). IEEE/RSJ, September 25, 2008, Nice, France.

Byl, K., Shkolnik, A., Tedrake, R., “ Planning Dynamic Motions for LittleDog .” Poster presented at control of locomotion: from animals to robots, workshop at the “Robotics: Science and Systems (RSS)” Conference. June 28 2008, Zurich, Switzerland.

Byl, K., Shkolnik, A., Tedrake, R. “ Motion Planning for Dynamic Quadrupedal Locomotion on Extreme Terrain .” A Day of Locomotion, October 2007, Harvard University.

Shkolnik, A., Byl, K., Rohanimanesh, K., Roy, N., Tedrake, R. “Walking on Rough Terrain with a Position Controlled Quadruped Robot.” International Workshop on Legged Locomotion for Young Researchers, April 2007, MIT.

Kreiman G., Chou, H., Shkolnik, A., Poggio, T., and DiCarlo, J. (2004). Object recognition by selective spike and LFP data in inferior temporal cortex. Abstract, San Diego Society for Neuroscience

Ben-Ary, G., Potter S, DeMarse T, Shkolnik A, T., Sweetman, I., Gamblen, P., Zurr, I., Catts, O. (2002).  The current status of research into Meart – the semi living artist – Stage 2. Biennale of Electronic Arts Perth symposium: The Aesthetics of Care, p59-62.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

Shkolnik, A. “ Motion Planning in High Dimensional and Underactuated Systems .” Invited Talk given at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Humanoid Research Group, May, 2009. Tsukuba, Japan.

Shkolnik, A. “ High Dimensional Motion planning and control with applications in underactuated systems .” Talk given at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab IAP Annual Affiliates Fall Meeting October 29, 2008.

Shkolnik, A. “ Notes on Progress Towards Walking on Very Rough Terrain .” Invited Talk given at Korea University, Hosted by Dr. Shinsuk Park, Sept. 12, 2007. Seoul, Korea.

Shkolnik, A. “ The Robot Locomotion Group, and Walking on Rough Terrain with the LittleDog Robot .” Invited Talk given at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Humanoid Research Group, July, 2007. Tsukuba, Japan.

Shkolnik, A. “ Achieving Foot Roll in a Biped Robot .” Poster presented at the JSPS / NSF Tokyo Summer Program. June, 2007. Tokyo, Japan.

Shkolnik, A., Ben-Ary, G., DeMarse, T., Sweetman, I., Gamblen, P., Zurr, I., Catts, O., Potter, S., “Neurally Controlled Robotic Drawing Arm - MultiElectrode Array Art (MEART),” Poster presented at the Summer Undergraduate Research at Emory (SURE) Poster Symposium, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, August 2002.

Shkolnik, A., Edwards, D., “Is the Medial Nucleus of the Amygdala Important for Mating in Male Mice,” Poster presented at the Summer Undergraduate Research at Emory (SURE) Poster Symposium, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, August 2001.

PATENTS

Shkolnik, N., Shkolnik, A. (2007). “Hybrid Cycle Rotary Engine” (Pending), application # US20080141973.

Shkolnik, N., Shkolnik, A. (2006). “Modified Hybrid Cycle Rotary Combustion Engine and Methods.” (Pending), application # US20080202486.

Shkolnik, N., Shkolnik, A. (2005). “Hybrid Cycle Combustion Engine and Methods.” (Pending)

COMPUTER /

SKILLS

Programming in Java, C/C++, ASP, Access/ADO, VBA, HTML, JavaScript, UNIX, Matlab, Pascal, Eosys, TechOptimizer

Microsoft Site Developer (MSDN) member (1995 – 2000)

A+ certified computer technician (Comptia) – 100% customer satisfaction rating

Knowledgable in TRIZ (theory of inventive problem solving); certified in Innovative Technology of Design with TechOptimizer by Invention Machine Corp

RESEARCH

Massachusetts Institute of Technology                                                 Cambridge, MA

Research Assistant (and NSF Graduate Research Fellow)                          2003 – Present

·   Studying Biomimetic Robotics, Neurally inspired control algorithms, and Locomotion over rough terrain

National Inst. Of Advanced Industrial Science & Tech (AIST)         Tsukuba, Japan

Humanoid Research Group, advised by Dr. Shuuji Kajita                           Summer 2007

NSF EAPSI Research Fellow                                                                                                   

·   Studyied foot-roll and toe-off in humanoid robot walking

Georgia Institute of Technology                                                                     Atlanta, GA

Research Fellow (SURE 2002)                                                                               2002 - 2003

·   Studied plasticity in cultured neural networks of dissociated cortical rat brain tissue, with the long term aim of providing a robotic embodiment for the neural networks

·   Worked with the University of Western Australia to develop MultiElectrode array ART (MEART). Data from a cultured neural network in the Atlanta lab was sent in real-time via the Internet to a computer in Australia at the Biennale of Electronic Arts Perth festival to control a robotic drawing arm.  http://www.fishandchips.com

Emory University                                                                                                 Atlanta , GA

Research Fellow (SURE 2001)                                                                              2001 – 2002

·   Studied the role of a specific brain structure, the medial nucleus of the amygdala, in regulating various social behaviors of male mice; research included electrolytic and excitotoxin brain lesioning, ovariectomy, behavioral testing, histology, etc.

WORK

EXPERIENCE

LiquidPiston, Inc.                                                                                      West Hartford , CT

Cofounder / Vice President                                                                           2003 - Present

·   Assisting in the development of a “Hybrid Cycle Combustion Engine”, which features 50% fuel efficiency and low manufacturing cost. Responsibilities are in both business development / securing first round of financing, as well as technical development. Responsibilities include engineering, CAD / CAM, prototyping and proposal / patent writing.

Emory University                                                                                                 Atlanta , GA

Computer Lab Coordinator, Graduate School of Psychology                          1999 - 2003

·   Provided technical support and ensured that the computer lab was functioning smoothly

·   Assisted students and faculty with various computer issues and multimedia equipment

Agency Management Services (AMS)                                                           Windsor , CT

ASP Programmer                                                                                                  1999 –  2001

·   Assisted with the development of QuoteNetworks.com, web-interfaced insurance rating software. Projects included automating a testing process to insure the website rates properly

·   Programming in ASP, VBScript, Access/ADO, HTML, JavaScript, Java

Systems Engineer                                                                                                              1999

·   Provided desktop customer support, helping to maintain 600 PCs on a network

·   Troubleshooted Windows NT and Novell clients, and various desktop applications

Quest Systems, Inc.                                                                                 West Hartford , CT

General Manager, Computer Consultant                                                             1993 - 2000

·   Responsible for purchasing and distributor account management

·   Built upgraded and serviced computer systems to meet customer needs

·   Worked with a team of web developer consultants at RealDesigns.com

·   Assisted with the design and development of an innovative single-handed keyboard

    http://web.mit.edu/shkolnik/www/keyboard   (presented at Comdex ’99)

Invention Machine Corporation                                                                      Boston , MA

Engineering Intern                                                                                              Summer 1998

·   Developed engineering consulting and problem solving skills

·   Designed a micro-valve for use in refrigerators made by a company in Germany

VBA Programmer                                                                                                               1997

·   Created custom software macros in Visual Basic for Applications for use with MS Word and Excel

ATHLETICS

SCUBA – PADI open water certified, NAUI nitrox and Master Scuba Diver certified

Varsity Track and Field, High school through second year of college

Varsity Swimming, Team Captain, High School