Luciana Rocha Pedro

I received my Bachelor's degree in Computational Mathematics from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in 2002. This degree is a mix between Mathematics and Computing and has an emphasis in modeling. My MD degree in Computational Modeling was granted by the National Laboratory for Scientific Computing (LNCC) in 2008. During my stay at LNCC I developed an application of bioinformatics together with Professor Helio Barbosa. This application consisted in a mathematical model for the problem of Protein Structure Prediction (PSP) which was successfully tested with the implementation of a genetic algorithm. After my MD, I had the opportunity to work with Professor Ricardo Takahashi, in UFMG. Together we developed research in Multi-Criteria Decision Theory focused on Multi-Objective Optimization and Computational Intelligence. The final product was a technique called NN-DM method, an artificial neural network-based model for reproducing the preferences of a human decision-maker when recurrent decisions have to be taken. In 2011, I took part in an exchange program between UFMG and the University of Sheffield, UK. I spent six months in the Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering carrying out research in relation to the International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES) - New Horizons for Multi-Criteria Decision Making. In 2013 my PhD was granted by the Department of Electrical Engineering (UFMG). Currently, I am a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Systems and Control at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), under the supervision of Professor Carlos Pedreira. The main area developed is machine learning, with emphasis in principal curves applied to cell maturation, a work developed in collaboration with the Cancer Research Centre, University of Salamanca, Spain. This study will assist the diagnosis of Leukemia by data analysis in flow cytometry.