Friday, March 26, 2021

PhD Dissertation Defense Raniero Lara Garduno March 12, 2021

PhD Dissertation Defense

Friday, March 12, 2021                                                         
Virtual Defense via Zoom
                                                                                          

Title: Machine Learning and Digital Sketch Recognition Methods to Support Neuropsychological Diagnosis and Identification of Cognitive Decline

Abstract: With approximately 15 to 20 percent of adults aged 65 and older living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), researchers in neuropsychology have placed increasing emphasis in early detection to best preserve quality of life. This dissertation presents digital diagnosis tools by adapting existing neuropsychological tests and fully automating what is otherwise a subjective process requiring domain expertise. We present the first fully-automated Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure grader that can recognize all 18 grading details using a series of agent-based graph traversal algorithms combined with a modified template- matching gesture recognition model. We also present among the first systems to recognize MCI on digitized Trail-Making tests combining machine learning methods with digital sketch recognition.


Biography:  Raniero specializes in the intersection between neuropsychology and digital sketching, more broadly in how subjects' behavior when interacting with digitized examinations. He has studied the effects of cognitive decline on touch tablets, stylus input, digitized paper-and-pencil sketching, and tests integrating augmented reality. He hopes to see technology improve such that Mild Cognitive Impairment can be detected early through the analysis on how people interact with various digital input modalities in test and everyday life.



Advisor: Dr. Tracy Hammond

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