RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
University of Salzburg, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience (CCNS) – Salzburg, Austria
Senior Scientist | Apr 2024 – Present
• Leading cross-disciplinary neuroscience projects and managing research teams analyzing complex physiological data, including EEG and brain–body interactions; work has resulted in two scientific publications.
• Developing machine learning pipelines using PyTorch to predict biomarker changes from sleep data.
• Building automated workflows in Python, MATLAB, and R for data preprocessing and advanced statistical analysis.
Columbia University, Department of Biomedical Engineering – New York, USA
Visiting Researcher | Oct 2022 – Feb 2023
• Led a cross-institutional initiative to develop robust data analysis pipelines for complex surface and intracranial EEG data.
• Gained hands-on experience in computational modeling and simulation of neural signals, with version control implemented via GitHub.
• Produced a first-author open-access methods paper introducing a novel perspective on neural data analysis.
University of Salzburg, Lab for Sleep and Consciousness Research, Salzburg, Austria
PhD Researcher | Sep 2019 – Mar 2024
• Managed multiple high-complexity projects leveraging machine learning and signal processing across diverse modalities (EEG, EOG, fMRI).
• Designed and implemented scalable workflows with robust documentation and training materials for adoption by new users.
• Championed the use of open science tools and cross-functional coordination with external research groups.
Proschlaf GmbH – Salzburg, Austria
Research Scientist | Mar 2019 – Aug 2019
• Conducted descriptive analyses to support individualized sleep diagnostics and interventions.
• Contributed research insights toward the company’s personalized sleep system.
University of Salzburg, Lab for Sleep and Consciousness Research, Salzburg, Austria
Predoctoral Researcher | Mar 2017 – Feb 2019
• Conducted Digital Biomarkers studies to validate wearable sleep tech (cited in 60+ studies).
• A successful grant applications totalling over €150k.
S.A.T. Pharmacies, Cairo, Egypt
Senior Community Pharmacist | Oct 2016 – Feb 2017
• Gained extensive experience in Clinical pharmacy and provided comprehensive patient care.
• Oversaw medication inventory, regulatory compliance, and patient service operations.
Earlier roles:
• Research Assistant: Consciousness and Cognition Lab - University of Cambridge, UK (Feb 2016 to Jul 2016).
• Research Assistant: Radiology Department - University Hospital Freiburg, Germany (Sept 2015 to Jan 2016).
EDUCATION
• PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience – University of Salzburg, Austria (2019–2024) | Summa Cum Laude
• MSc in Neuroscience – University of Strasbourg, France (2014–2016) | Grade: A
• BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences – Cairo University, Egypt (2008–2013) | Very Good with Honors
o Recognized in Austria as equivalent to B.Sc. Pharmazie by the University of Vienna (2025)
CORE SKILLS
Data Analysis:
Advanced proficiency in Python, MATLAB, and R for analysing large-scale neurophysiological data; experience with ML pipelines and statistical modelling.
Machine Learning:
Applied supervised learning, decision trees, SVMs, and deep learning using tools like scikit-learn and PyTorch.
Project Management:
Led cross-functional research projects; implemented new digital tools and workflows.
Communication & Collaboration:
Experienced in scientific communication, interdisciplinary teamwork, and stakeholder engagement across academia and industry.
Leadership & Mentorship:
Managed junior researchers; coordinated multi-site initiatives across academic and clinical settings; successfully introduced and trained teams in new analytical workflows, tools, and reproducible practices.
Soft Skills:
Strong communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and leadership abilities in fast-paced, cross-functional environments.
Languages:
English (fluent), Arabic (native), German (B2 - ÖSD certificate), French (B1)
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2025: Selective preservation of prediction-related signals in human sleep. Current Biology (co-author)
2024: The Temporal Dynamics of Aperiodic Neural Activity Track Changes in Sleep Architecture. bioRxiv (1st author)
2022: The Brain Selectively Tunes to Unfamiliar Voices during Sleep. Journal of Neuroscience (1st author)
2019: About the Accuracy and Problems of Consumer Devices in the Assessment of Sleep. Sensors (1st author)
SELECTED GRANTS & AWARDS
• €45k Postdoctoral Grant – Univ. Salzburg, 2024 | Early Career Independent Postdoc Researcher.
• €6k Young Investigator Award – German Sleep Society (DGSM), 2023.
• €115k DOC doctoral Fellowship – Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), 2019–2022 | Sleep research.
OUTREACH
• 7 Oral presentations and 15+ Poster presentations at international scientific conferences (2017–2025).
• Guest Editor, Frontiers in Sleep. Topic: Understanding Conscious Experience during Sleep (2024-current).
• Guest lecturer, University of Salzburg – EEG analysis & Neuropsychology of consciousness (2023–2024).
• Guest lecturer, EFPSA – Workshop on the Neuroscience of Dreams (2022).