Pawan Kumar Thapaliya
Tampa,Florida
Summary
Innovative Ph.D. Candidate in Applied Physics specializing in computational neuroscience, machine learning, and biophysical modeling. Experienced in ion channel dynamics, circuit analysis, and disease mechanisms using mechanistic and data-driven approaches. Skilled in quantitative analysis, mathematical modeling, and complex system simulations. Eager to advance impactful, interdisciplinary research across neuroscience, healthcare, and data-driven fields.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Computational Neuroscience Research
Neuromatch Academy
07.2024 - 07.2024
- Analyzed neural activity data using machine learning techniques to uncover neural mechanisms related to stimulus novelty detection and response variability in mice.
Research Fellow
University of South Florida
05.2024 - Current
- Build mathematical model to understand the neuro-vascular interactions and metabolic stress conditions.
PhD Candidate/Researcher
University of South Florida
08.2019 - Current
- Primary research focuses on using theoretical and computational approaches to investigate the dynamics of neuronal and glial cells under metabolic stress conditions, particularly in ischemic strokes and epilepsy. This includes developing biophysical and computational models of ion channel behavior, transporters, receptor kinetics, and astrocyte function, along with the integration of machine learning techniques for data analysis.
- PhD Research Accomplishments:
- Developed the first computational models for NMDA and AMPA receptor-mediated astrocytic sodium and calcium dynamics during chemical ischemia, in collaboration with Dr. Rose's lab at Heinrich-Heine-University, Germany.
- Designed a mechanistic model of astrocytic NBCe1 transporters, revealing their role in pH and Na+ regulation under ischemic conditions, providing insights into metabolic stress adaptation.
- Built a computational framework to analyze neuronal and astrocytic NCX1 transporter activity during ischemia, using in vivo electrophysiological data from the University of Bonn, Germany, to validate model predictions.
- Integrated machine learning techniques (CNN, LSTM) for biomedical signal and image analysis, applying AI-driven approaches to detect patterns in EEG and functional imaging data.
- Implemented Markov models and differential equation-based simulations to capture receptor kinetics and transporter behavior in astrocytes, refining predictions of neuroenergetic failure.
- Published two first-author papers in peer-reviewed international journals and actively contributed to collaborative, interdisciplinary research projects.
- Presented findings at international conferences, fostering scientific collaboration across computational neuroscience, biophysics, and neurophysiology communities.
Research Associate
University of South Florida
01.2023 - 05.2024
- Collaborated on interdisciplinary projects related to astrocyte-neuron interactions and computational modeling of neurological disorders with groups at HHU.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of South Florida
08.2019 - 12.2023
- Taught lecture and lab portions of General Physics I and Physics II. Designed courses, graded, advised, and assisted undergraduate students.
Adjunct Instructor
University of South Florida
05.2020 - 07.2023
- Taught lecture portions of General Physics II. Designed courses, graded, advised, and assisted approximately 150 undergraduate students.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
08.2017 - 07.2019
- Taught lecture and lab portions of General Physics and Astro Physics. Designed courses, graded, advised, and assisted undergraduate students.
MS Researcher
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
08.2016 - 07.2019
- Investigated stacking interactions between adjacent base pairs in nucleic acids and their impact on DNA/RNA stability using Monte Carlo simulations in collaboration with research groups at the University of Dallas, TX, USA.
Research Assistant
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
08.2016 - 05.2019
- Investigated single-molecule interactions using DNA knot theory and Monte Carlo simulations to analyze DNA topology and structural dynamics. Built biophysical model to study mechanical and thermal stretching behaviors of helicoidal DNA.
Education
Ph.D. - Applied Physics: Computational Biophysics and Neurobiology
University of South Florida
Tampa08.2025
M.S. - Physics: Computational Biophysics of DNA Stability
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Brownsville, Texas07.2019
MSc. - Physics: Solid State Physics and Biophysics
Central Department of Physics, Tribhuvan University
Kathmandu, Nepal07.2011
BSc. - Physics: Solid State Physics and Biophysics
Trichendra College, Tribhuvan University
Kathmandu, Nepal07.2009
Skills
- Biophysical modeling
- Computational modeling
- Markov models
- Neural dynamics
- Receptor kinetics
- Ion channel behavior
- Predictive modeling
- Dynamic simulations
- Runge-Kutta
- Euler
- Monte Carlo simulations
- Fluorescence image data analysis
- Python
- R
- Bash
- MATLAB
- SQL
- FORTRAN
- Keras
- Scikit-learn
- TensorFlow
- PyTorch
- SciPy
- Statsmodels
- CUDA
- Google Cloud Platform
- Linux/Unix environment
- Git
- GitHub
- Anaconda
- NumPy
- MNE-Python
- Biopython
- OpenCV
- NetworkX
- Pandas
- Matplotlib
- Seaborn
- Plotly Express
- EEG signal analysis
- Image segmentation
- Modeling large neural circuits
- Problem-solving
- Customer service
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Teamwork and collaboration
Certification
- SQL for Data Science, Coursera, 2020-09-01
- Neural Networks and Deep Learning, Coursera, 2020-07-01
- Python for Signal and Image Processing Master Class, Udemy, 2024-10-01
Affiliations
- Organization for Computational Neuroscience (OCNS), 2020-01-01, Present
- Society for Neuroscience (SFN), 2023-01-01, Present
- American Physical Society, 2016-01-01, 2019-01-01
- Golden Key International Honor Society, 2024-03-01, Present
Leadership Experience
- Leader, SfN's Neuronline Community, 2025-01-01, Present
- Secretary, Physics Graduate Student Committee, 2024-05-01, Present
- Adjunct Instructor, University of South Florida, 2020-05-01, 2020-07-01
Conference Presentations
- Investigating the Reversal of GLT1 Glutamate Transporter during Metabolic Stress, Neuroscience 2024, Chicago, IL
- Modelling the Impact of Astrocytic NBCe1 on Ischemia-Induced Astrocytic Na+ Loading and ATP Depletion in Mouse Neocortex, Neuroscience, 2023-11-01, Washington, D.C.
- Modeling the heterogeneity of sodium and calcium homeostasis between cortical and hippocampal astrocytes and its impact on bioenergetics, USF Research Health Day, 2023-03-01, Tampa, FL
Webpage
pawanthapaliya01.github.io
Personal Information
Title: PhD Candidate in Applied Physics
Activities
- Grand Award Judge, Society for Science: Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, 2024-05-01
- Conference Poster Judge, USF Health Research Day, 2024-03-01
- Reviewer, Cellular Signaling, Journal of Theoretical Biology
Awards
- Trainee Professional Development Award, Society for Neuroscience, 2024-10-01
- Signature Doctoral Research Fellowship, University of South Florida, 2024-08-01, 2026-07-01
- Tharp and Duckwall Summer Research Fellowship, University of South Florida, 2024-05-01, 2024-08-01
Publications
- Modeling the heterogeneity of sodium and calcium homeostasis between cortical and hippocampal astrocytes and its impact on bioenergetics, Thapaliya, P., Pape, N., Rose, C. R., and Ullah, G., Frontiers in cellular neuroscience, 17, 1035553, 2023-01-30, 10.3389/fncel.2023.1035553
- Inward operation of sodium-bicarbonate cotransporter 1 promotes astrocytic Na+ loading and loss of ATP in mouse neocortex during brief chemical ischemia, Everaerts, K., Thapaliya, P., Pape, N., Durry, S., Eitelmann, S., Roussa, E., Ullah, G. and Rose, C. R., Cells, 12, 23, 2675, 10.3390/cells12232675
Timeline
Computational Neuroscience Research
Neuromatch Academy
07.2024 - 07.2024
Research Fellow
University of South Florida
05.2024 - Current
Research Associate
University of South Florida
01.2023 - 05.2024
Adjunct Instructor
University of South Florida
05.2020 - 07.2023
PhD Candidate/Researcher
University of South Florida
08.2019 - Current
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of South Florida
08.2019 - 12.2023
Graduate Teaching Assistant
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
08.2017 - 07.2019
MS Researcher
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
08.2016 - 07.2019
Research Assistant
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
08.2016 - 05.2019
M.S. - Physics: Computational Biophysics of DNA Stability
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Ph.D. - Applied Physics: Computational Biophysics and Neurobiology
University of South Florida
MSc. - Physics: Solid State Physics and Biophysics
Central Department of Physics, Tribhuvan University
BSc. - Physics: Solid State Physics and Biophysics
Trichendra College, Tribhuvan University
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