Full CV available in PDF format. Abridged version appears below.
| cv_blustein.pdf |
Education
Postdoctoral Fellow, Biomedical Engineering
University of New Brunswick
Project: Computational motor control and prosthesis assessment
Advisor: Dr. Jon Sensinger
April 2015 - Present
Ph.D. in Biology
Northeastern University Dissertation: “Biomimetic lobster control with a synthetic nervous system”
Advisor: Dr. Joseph Ayers
January 2015
BA in Biology
Kalamazoo College Thesis: “Filmic exploration of voids”
Academic advisor: Dr. Ann Fraser 2006
Environment and Ecology Program
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Aug 2004-Mar 2005
University of New Brunswick
Project: Computational motor control and prosthesis assessment
Advisor: Dr. Jon Sensinger
April 2015 - Present
Ph.D. in Biology
Northeastern University Dissertation: “Biomimetic lobster control with a synthetic nervous system”
Advisor: Dr. Joseph Ayers
January 2015
BA in Biology
Kalamazoo College Thesis: “Filmic exploration of voids”
Academic advisor: Dr. Ann Fraser 2006
Environment and Ecology Program
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Aug 2004-Mar 2005
Honors, Awards & Funding
Dissertation Completion Fellowship, Northeastern University 2014 - 2015
Prototype Fund Award (x2), Northeastern University 2014
Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellowship, AAAS 2013
Graduate Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation 2009 - 2015
Graduate Student Scholarship, Marine Technology Society 2011-2012
Outstanding Graduate Student Research Award, Northeastern Univ. 2011
Marine Science Center Graduate Travel Award, Northeastern Univ. 2011
Graduate Student Association Travel Award, Northeastern Univ. 2011
Babette Trader Campus Citizenship and Leadership Award, Kalamazoo College
Senior Recognition Award for Enlightened Leadership, Kalamazoo College
Science and Mathematics Competitive Scholarship, Kalamazoo College
Honors Scholarship, Kalamazoo College
Prototype Fund Award (x2), Northeastern University 2014
Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellowship, AAAS 2013
Graduate Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation 2009 - 2015
Graduate Student Scholarship, Marine Technology Society 2011-2012
Outstanding Graduate Student Research Award, Northeastern Univ. 2011
Marine Science Center Graduate Travel Award, Northeastern Univ. 2011
Graduate Student Association Travel Award, Northeastern Univ. 2011
Babette Trader Campus Citizenship and Leadership Award, Kalamazoo College
Senior Recognition Award for Enlightened Leadership, Kalamazoo College
Science and Mathematics Competitive Scholarship, Kalamazoo College
Honors Scholarship, Kalamazoo College
Research Experience
Postdoctoral Researcher at Univ. of New Brunswick [Lab of Dr. Jon Sensinger]
--Design prosthesis assessment metrics using computational motor control.
April 2015 - Present
Research Assistant at Northeastern University [Lab of Dr. Joseph Ayers] --Designed, built & tested biomimetic robots for neuroscience investigation.
Sept. 2008 - Dec. 2014
Field Research Assistant to Dr. Roland Anderson --Conducted octopus behavioral observations on the island of Bonaire.
May 2013, Aug. 2011, May 2010
Microbiology Intern at Massachusetts Institute of Technology --Developed and tested microbial safety levels in self-contained mouse life
support systems for space flight applications.
Summer 2005
Ecology Intern at Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Ecuador --Conducted field experiments investigating invertebrate diversity along
streambeds in a tropical rainforest.
Jan.-Feb. 2005
Spaceflight and Life Sciences Trainee at NASA Kennedy Space Center --Tested antimicrobial surface treatments for use within spacecraft.
Summer 2004
Marine biology intern at the Seattle Aquarium --Conducted laboratory experiments investigating cognition in the Giant
Pacific Octopus.
July 2003
--Design prosthesis assessment metrics using computational motor control.
April 2015 - Present
Research Assistant at Northeastern University [Lab of Dr. Joseph Ayers] --Designed, built & tested biomimetic robots for neuroscience investigation.
Sept. 2008 - Dec. 2014
Field Research Assistant to Dr. Roland Anderson --Conducted octopus behavioral observations on the island of Bonaire.
May 2013, Aug. 2011, May 2010
Microbiology Intern at Massachusetts Institute of Technology --Developed and tested microbial safety levels in self-contained mouse life
support systems for space flight applications.
Summer 2005
Ecology Intern at Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Ecuador --Conducted field experiments investigating invertebrate diversity along
streambeds in a tropical rainforest.
Jan.-Feb. 2005
Spaceflight and Life Sciences Trainee at NASA Kennedy Space Center --Tested antimicrobial surface treatments for use within spacecraft.
Summer 2004
Marine biology intern at the Seattle Aquarium --Conducted laboratory experiments investigating cognition in the Giant
Pacific Octopus.
July 2003
Publications
Westphal, A, D Blustein , and J Ayers. 2013. A biomimetic neuronal network-based
controller for guided helicopter flight. Lecture Notes in Computer Science,
8064:299-310.
Blustein, D, N Rosenthal and J Ayers. 2013. Designing and implementing nervous
system simulations on LEGO robots. J Visualized Experiments. 75:e50519. [video]
Ayers, J, D Blustein & A Westphal. 2012. A Conserved Biomimetic Control
Architecture for Walking, Swimming and Flying Robots. Lecture Notes on
Artificial Intelligence, 7375, 1-12.
Ayers, J, A Westphal & D Blustein. 2011. A Conserved Neural Circuit-based
Architecture for Ambulatory and Undulatory Biomimetic Robots.
Marine Technology, 45(4):147-152. [pdf]
Blustein, DH & RC Anderson. 2011. Octopuses drill crab chelae on the inside (oral
side). The Festivus, 43(1):6-7.
Blustein, D & J Ayers. 2010. A conserved network for control of arthropod
exteroceptive optical flow reflexes during locomotion. Lect Notes Artificial
Intelligence, 6226:72-81. [online excerpt]
Blustein, DH & RC Anderson. 2010. Cone shell found in an octopus midden in
Bonaire. The Festivus, 42(10):131-132.
Anderson, RC & DH Blustein. 2006. Smart octopus? The Festivus, 38:7-9. [reprint]
Blustein, D, N Hinkle & A Smith. 2005. Evaluation of a quaternary ammonium salt as
an antimicrobial surface treatment. Gravitational and Space Biology , 18(2):81-2.
controller for guided helicopter flight. Lecture Notes in Computer Science,
8064:299-310.
Blustein, D, N Rosenthal and J Ayers. 2013. Designing and implementing nervous
system simulations on LEGO robots. J Visualized Experiments. 75:e50519. [video]
Ayers, J, D Blustein & A Westphal. 2012. A Conserved Biomimetic Control
Architecture for Walking, Swimming and Flying Robots. Lecture Notes on
Artificial Intelligence, 7375, 1-12.
Ayers, J, A Westphal & D Blustein. 2011. A Conserved Neural Circuit-based
Architecture for Ambulatory and Undulatory Biomimetic Robots.
Marine Technology, 45(4):147-152. [pdf]
Blustein, DH & RC Anderson. 2011. Octopuses drill crab chelae on the inside (oral
side). The Festivus, 43(1):6-7.
Blustein, D & J Ayers. 2010. A conserved network for control of arthropod
exteroceptive optical flow reflexes during locomotion. Lect Notes Artificial
Intelligence, 6226:72-81. [online excerpt]
Blustein, DH & RC Anderson. 2010. Cone shell found in an octopus midden in
Bonaire. The Festivus, 42(10):131-132.
Anderson, RC & DH Blustein. 2006. Smart octopus? The Festivus, 38:7-9. [reprint]
Blustein, D, N Hinkle & A Smith. 2005. Evaluation of a quaternary ammonium salt as
an antimicrobial surface treatment. Gravitational and Space Biology , 18(2):81-2.
Published Abstracts
Blustein, D, K Schultheis & J Ayers. 2013. ”Using LEGO robots for bioengineering
research and instruction.” Northeastern Univ. Research, Innovation &
Scholarship Expo. ID 14.
Blustein, D, A Westphal & J Ayers. 2012. Building the brain for a robotic bee.
Northeastern Univ. Research, Innovation & Scholarship Expo. ID 342.
Blustein, D & J Ayers. 2011. .Simulation of sensory fusion of optical and
hydrodynamic flow in the lobster. Northeastern Univ. Research &
Scholarship Expo. ID 2075.
Blustein, D, Schultheis, K & J Ayers. 2011. .Building nervous systems for robots: an
interactive and collaborative neuroscience curriculum. National Science
Teachers Conference. National Conference, San Francisco, CA.
Blustein, D & J Ayers. 2010. .Simulation of sensory fusion of optical and
hydrodynamic flow in the lobster. Program No. 308.14. 2010
Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience. Online.
Fulford-Jones, TRF, N Steber, HB Laird & DH Blustein. 2005. Ensuring long-term
environmental stability of rodent food substrates within an autonomous life
support module. Gravitational and Space Biology. 19:20.
Blustein, D, N Hinkle & A Smith. 2004. Evaluation of a Quaternary Ammonium Salt
as an Antimicrobial Surface Treatment. Gravitational and Space Biology. 18(1):7.
research and instruction.” Northeastern Univ. Research, Innovation &
Scholarship Expo. ID 14.
Blustein, D, A Westphal & J Ayers. 2012. Building the brain for a robotic bee.
Northeastern Univ. Research, Innovation & Scholarship Expo. ID 342.
Blustein, D & J Ayers. 2011. .Simulation of sensory fusion of optical and
hydrodynamic flow in the lobster. Northeastern Univ. Research &
Scholarship Expo. ID 2075.
Blustein, D, Schultheis, K & J Ayers. 2011. .Building nervous systems for robots: an
interactive and collaborative neuroscience curriculum. National Science
Teachers Conference. National Conference, San Francisco, CA.
Blustein, D & J Ayers. 2010. .Simulation of sensory fusion of optical and
hydrodynamic flow in the lobster. Program No. 308.14. 2010
Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience. Online.
Fulford-Jones, TRF, N Steber, HB Laird & DH Blustein. 2005. Ensuring long-term
environmental stability of rodent food substrates within an autonomous life
support module. Gravitational and Space Biology. 19:20.
Blustein, D, N Hinkle & A Smith. 2004. Evaluation of a Quaternary Ammonium Salt
as an Antimicrobial Surface Treatment. Gravitational and Space Biology. 18(1):7.
Teaching and Mentoring Experience
Student mentor at University of New Brunswick
-- Train and supervise undergraduate and graduate students.
April 2015 - Present
Undergraduate mentor at Northeastern University
--Trained and supervised undergraduate students working in the lab: 6 NEU coop students, 4 NEU directed study students and 3 non-NEU interns.
Sept. 2009 - Dec. 2014
Laboratory course designer at Northeastern University
--Developed and led computational neuroscience lab activities in Neuroethology
course.
Spring 2014
High school mentor at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute - --Trained and supervised 3 high school co-op students working in the lab (32
hours per week, every other week).
Sept. 2010 - Aug. 2013
Activity leader at Buckingham Browne and Nichols School, Cambridge, MA --Developed and ran two-6 week implementations of a novel biorobotics
curriculum for middle schoolers at an after school science club.
Sept. 2010 - May 2013
Substitute Lecturer at Northeastern University --Taught Comparative Neurobiology & Neuroethology classes for Joseph Ayers.
Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012
Teaching Assistant at Northeastern University --Planned and taught laboratory section of Neuroethology course.
Fall 2008
Teaching Assistant at Kalamazoo College --Assisted with running laboratory section of Organism Diversity course.
Fall 2005
-- Train and supervise undergraduate and graduate students.
April 2015 - Present
Undergraduate mentor at Northeastern University
--Trained and supervised undergraduate students working in the lab: 6 NEU coop students, 4 NEU directed study students and 3 non-NEU interns.
Sept. 2009 - Dec. 2014
Laboratory course designer at Northeastern University
--Developed and led computational neuroscience lab activities in Neuroethology
course.
Spring 2014
High school mentor at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute - --Trained and supervised 3 high school co-op students working in the lab (32
hours per week, every other week).
Sept. 2010 - Aug. 2013
Activity leader at Buckingham Browne and Nichols School, Cambridge, MA --Developed and ran two-6 week implementations of a novel biorobotics
curriculum for middle schoolers at an after school science club.
Sept. 2010 - May 2013
Substitute Lecturer at Northeastern University --Taught Comparative Neurobiology & Neuroethology classes for Joseph Ayers.
Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012
Teaching Assistant at Northeastern University --Planned and taught laboratory section of Neuroethology course.
Fall 2008
Teaching Assistant at Kalamazoo College --Assisted with running laboratory section of Organism Diversity course.
Fall 2005
Professional Service
Reviewer for PLOS Comp. Biology and Trans. on Neural Systems and Rehab. Eng.
2015 - Present
Conservation Commissioner at the City of Revere
Nov. 2011 - Dec. 2014
Community Outreach Representative at the Mystic River Watershed Association Dec. 2010 - Jan. 2015
Co-president of Graduate Biology Club at Northeastern University Sep. 2009 - Jan. 2015
Co-founder and chair of Marine Technology Society Student Section March 2012 - Jan. 2015
Math Tutor at Harriett Tubman House Feb. 2011- June 2012
Team mentor at the Museum of Science, Boston, MA June 2011, June 2009
Chief editor of the Amer. Soc. for Gravitational and Space Biology Student Assoc.
2004-2007
2015 - Present
Conservation Commissioner at the City of Revere
Nov. 2011 - Dec. 2014
Community Outreach Representative at the Mystic River Watershed Association Dec. 2010 - Jan. 2015
Co-president of Graduate Biology Club at Northeastern University Sep. 2009 - Jan. 2015
Co-founder and chair of Marine Technology Society Student Section March 2012 - Jan. 2015
Math Tutor at Harriett Tubman House Feb. 2011- June 2012
Team mentor at the Museum of Science, Boston, MA June 2011, June 2009
Chief editor of the Amer. Soc. for Gravitational and Space Biology Student Assoc.
2004-2007
Invited Talks
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Jan. 2015
Okinawa, Japan "Control of a robot lobster with a synthetic nervous system"
D'Amore-McKim School of Business (NEU) Aug. 2014
Boston, MA "Building a better robot lobster"
Girls Inc. June 2014
Lynn, MA "SMART Girls Summit: Build your own underwater robot workshop"
Swampscott Public Library March 2014
Swampscott, MA "Building a better robot lobster"
India Institute for Technology March 2014
Kanpur, India "Techkriti ’14 Marine Robots Exhibition"
Museum Institute for Teaching Science Summer Institute July 2012
Buzzards Bay, MA "Building robot animals, from lobsters to LEGOs"
URI Metcalfe Institute's Improving Science Comm. Workshop July 2012 Narragansett, RI "How to Effectively Communicate Science on the Web"
Massachusetts Marine Educators Association Annual Conference April 2012
Woods Hole, MA "Building a better robot lobster"
Harvard University Robobee Symposium Sept. 2010
Cambridge, MA "Exteroceptive reflex circuits"
University of Hannover School of Veterinary Medicine Aug. 2010
Hannover, Germany "Building 'nervous systems' for robots"
Many presentations to K-12 groups including: Leo Hayes High School (Fredericton, NB), Lincoln School (Brookline, MA),
BBNS (Cambridge,MA), MIT Museum (Cambridge, MA), Northeastern MSC
Outreach (Nahant, MA), St. Francis Indian School (South Dakota), Mazapan
School (La Ceiba, Honduras ), BSSCA (Los Angeles, CA)
Okinawa, Japan "Control of a robot lobster with a synthetic nervous system"
D'Amore-McKim School of Business (NEU) Aug. 2014
Boston, MA "Building a better robot lobster"
Girls Inc. June 2014
Lynn, MA "SMART Girls Summit: Build your own underwater robot workshop"
Swampscott Public Library March 2014
Swampscott, MA "Building a better robot lobster"
India Institute for Technology March 2014
Kanpur, India "Techkriti ’14 Marine Robots Exhibition"
Museum Institute for Teaching Science Summer Institute July 2012
Buzzards Bay, MA "Building robot animals, from lobsters to LEGOs"
URI Metcalfe Institute's Improving Science Comm. Workshop July 2012 Narragansett, RI "How to Effectively Communicate Science on the Web"
Massachusetts Marine Educators Association Annual Conference April 2012
Woods Hole, MA "Building a better robot lobster"
Harvard University Robobee Symposium Sept. 2010
Cambridge, MA "Exteroceptive reflex circuits"
University of Hannover School of Veterinary Medicine Aug. 2010
Hannover, Germany "Building 'nervous systems' for robots"
Many presentations to K-12 groups including: Leo Hayes High School (Fredericton, NB), Lincoln School (Brookline, MA),
BBNS (Cambridge,MA), MIT Museum (Cambridge, MA), Northeastern MSC
Outreach (Nahant, MA), St. Francis Indian School (South Dakota), Mazapan
School (La Ceiba, Honduras ), BSSCA (Los Angeles, CA)
Media Experience
Science Reporter, Raleigh News & Observer June - Aug. 2013
Twitter Ambassador, Northeastern University College of Science 2013 - 2015
Featured Blogger, Northeastern University College of Science 2012 - 2014
Managing Meds Video Challenge Honorable Mention, Dept. of Health and
Human Services 2012
Creating Our Futures Video Contest Finalist, National Science Foundation 2012
Creative Assistant, Spyglass Entertainment March - Nov. 2007
Mailroom Worker, International Creative Management Jan. - March 2007
Development Intern, Scott Rudin Productions Sep. 2006 - Jan. 2007
Production Intern, Guy Walks into a Bar Productions Sep. - Dec. 2006
Twitter Ambassador, Northeastern University College of Science 2013 - 2015
Featured Blogger, Northeastern University College of Science 2012 - 2014
Managing Meds Video Challenge Honorable Mention, Dept. of Health and
Human Services 2012
Creating Our Futures Video Contest Finalist, National Science Foundation 2012
Creative Assistant, Spyglass Entertainment March - Nov. 2007
Mailroom Worker, International Creative Management Jan. - March 2007
Development Intern, Scott Rudin Productions Sep. 2006 - Jan. 2007
Production Intern, Guy Walks into a Bar Productions Sep. - Dec. 2006
