SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

Using hygroelectric polymers to charge an active quadcopter drone battery. Larocco, J. (2023). [Under review.]

Evaluating a Controlled Electromagnetic Launcher for Safe Remote Drug Delivery. LaRocco, J., Simonis, J., & Tahmina, Q. IEEE Transactions on Aerospace [Under review, preliminary acceptance.]

Optimization of a handheld line launcher for microgravity utility and rescue tasks. LaRocco, J. Journal of Search and Rescue. [Accepted, revisions under review.]

Evaluation of an English language phoneme-based imagined speech brain computer interface with low-cost electroencephalography.  LaRocco, J., Tahmina, Q., Lecian, S., Moore, J., Helbig, C., & Gupta, S. (2023). Frontiers in Neuroinformatics, 17.

Electroencephalographic Response of Brain Stimulation by Shock Waves from Laser Generated Carbon Nanotube Transducer. Lee, J., Larocco, J. W., & Paeng, D. G. (2022). IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering.

Optimizing computer-brain interface parameters for non-invasive BBI. John LaRocco, Dong-Guk Paeng. Frontiers in Neuroinformatics (2020).

A systemic review of available low-cost EEG headsets used for drowsiness detection. John LaRocco, Ming-Dong Le, Dong-Guk Paeng. Frontiers in Neuroinformatics (2020).

A functional analysis of two 3D-scanned antique pistols from Victorian New Zealand. John LaRocco, Dong-Guk Paeng. Virtual Archaeology Review (2020).

Digital reconstruction of Bernhard Heine’s osteotome. John LaRocco, Volodmyr Komarskyi, and Dong-Guk Paeng. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.15815.93608

Spindler: Spatiotemporal adaptive matching pursuit for EEG-based spindle detection. John LaRocco, Piotr Franaszczuk, Scott Kerick, Kay Robbins. Journal of Neural Engineering 15(6).

Surgical evaluation of a full-body prosthetic. John LaRocco, Pengwei Li, and Xiaoping Ren. Poster presented at 39th International Annual IEEE Engineering in Biology and Society Conference (2017)

Optimal EEG feature selection from average distance between events and non-events. John LaRocco, Richard D. Jones, Carrie R. H. Innes, Philip J. Bones, Steve Weddell. Proceedings of the 36th International Annual IEEE Engineering in Biology and Society Conference (2014)

Simulated testing of a 3D printed revolver cylinder. John LaRocco. Peer Evaluation (2013). 

PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS:

LaRocco J, Soohong M, Paeng D (Nov 2019). Evaluation of synthetic setae pads for dry attachment of an ultrasound transducer. (Abstract) Proceedings of the IEEE Healthcare Innovations and Point-of-Care Technologies, 2019: 6. [Presented at IEEE HIPOCT 2019), Bethesda, MD, USA, Nov 2019]

LaRocco J, Franaszczuk P, Robbins K (Jan 2017). Comparison of matching pursuit-based methods for EEG-based alpha spindle detection. (Abstract) Proceedings of NYC Neuromodulation Conference, 2017:

23. [Presented at New York City Neuromodulation (NYC Neuromodulation 2017), NYC, Jan 2017]

LaRocco J, Innes C, Bones P, Weddell S, Jones R (Nov 2014). Optimal EEG feature selection from average distances between events and non-events. (Abstract) Australasian Physical & Engineering Sciences in Medicine, 38: 195-196. [Presented at New Zealand Physics and Engineering in Medicine Conference (NZPEM 2014), Christchurch, Nov 2014]

TALKS: 

Serapeum: Low-cost, scalable hydroponics, Lighting Tag Talk, Ronin Institute, US, Dec 2022.

ANCILE: Active Neutralization of Celeritous Impacts by Lateral Expulsion, Lightning Tag Talk, Ronin Institute, US, Mar 2022.

Blutsanger: Closed Loop Perfusion with Oxygen Carriers, Lightning Tag Talk, Ronin Institute, US, Feb 2022.

AKLO: Synthetic Telepathy for Cognitive Enhancement, Lightning Tag Talk, Ronin Institute, US, Jan 2022.

Nightgaunt Drive: Opto-electric Propulsion for Relativistic Microcraft, Lightning Tag Talk, Ronin Institute, US, Dec 2021.

Lachesis: Line-launcher for space and sea rescue, Lightning Tag Talk, Ronin Institute, US, Nov 2021.

Skysweeper: Low-budget orbital debris removal, Lightning Tag Talk, Ronin Institute, US, Oct 2021.

Magnetar: Control system for the delivery of kinetic energy in an electromagnetically accelerated projectile, Lightning Tag Talk, Ronin Institute, US, Aug 2021.

Life Support in Cyborg Bodies, Lightning Talk, Ronin Institute, US, Jun 2021.

The Kiwicoin Project, Seminar, EPIC, Christchurch, NZ, Oct 2014.   

Technical Viability of Artificial Neurocirculatory Systems, Seminar, NZBRI, Christchurch, NZ, Mar 2013. 

Theoretical Approaches to Connectome Research, Seminar, NZBRI, Christchurch, NZ, Dec 2012. 

Automated Detection and Classification of Lapses, Seminar, NZBRI, Christchurch, NZ, Aug 2012. 

PHYSIBLE ARCHIVES:

Lachesis: Optimization of a handheld line launcher for microgravity utility and rescue (Preprint: 2023). Larocco, J. (2023). DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.27954.58565

Jeju Collection of Mechanical Launchers (2022). Virtually reconstructed machines for early modern and industrial history. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.11817.47205

Clearmind Protocol (2021). Design and fabrication documentation for an open-source transducer for transcranial focused ultrasound neuromodulation. https://github.com/javeharron/clearmindprotocol

Ronin Rocket Archive (2021). Open-source 3D printable model rocket engines for research. https://github.com/javeharron/roninrockets/

Open Medtech Archive (2020). Open source or lapsed patent medical technology virtual reconstructions. https://github.com/javeharron/openmedtech

Bernhard Heine Osteotome (2019). Virtual reconstruction of an early mechanical surgical tool. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.15815.93608

PATENTS:

Hygroelectric Charging and Power Management System. US Patent Application 07108571. Filed 2023.  

Life Support System for a Full Body Prosthetic. TAPR Open Hardware License (www.tapr.org/OHL) Filed (2015). 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

Machine Learning for Signal Processing, Jeju National University, Ocean Systems Eng, Spring 2019

Introduce students to statistics and pattern recognition techniques for real-time signal classification. By the end of the semester, students were able to implement a variety of Python-based machine learning and signal processing techniques.

Introduction to Neuromodulation, Jeju National University, Ocean Systems Eng, Autumn 2019

Introduce students to neural signal processing, non-invasive neurostimulation, and design their own brain-computer interface. By the end of the semester, students were able to implement a Python-based offline motor imagery BCI system with their own neural signals.

Controls, Uni. of Canterbury, Electrical Eng., 2015

Assist students with learning control theory. By the end of the semester, students were able to deal with single and multiple input and output systems.

WORK EXPERIENCE: 

Software Engineer, Apeiron Solutions, Nov 2021-Jan 2022

Designed and prototyped user interface for cybersecurity service. Deployed a proof of concept online system for open-source intelligence gathering.

Development Engineer, Sound-Eye, Feb 2020-Dec 2020

Designed and implemented an acoustic system for preventative maintenance, and successfully developed a computer-aided auscultation system for identification of respiratory disorders.

Senior Engineer, ST Innosparks Innovations, ’18-‘19

Designed an algorithm for a wearable biometric sensor, and implemented production test procedures.

Machine Learning Researcher, Scientific Innovations, ‘17

Implemented an automated system for generating feedback on a self-reported lifestyle tracking.

Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Texas San Antonio, '15-‘17

Developed a novel, unsupervised EEG-based detection system for fatigue estimation. 

Research Assistant, New Zealand Brain Research Institute ’12-’15

Implemented at a MATLAB-based modular software toolbox for EEG-based microsleep detection.

Note Taker, University of Canterbury Disability Resource Service ‘15

Recorded and edited lecture notes for disabled and handicapped students.

Teaching Assistant, University of Canterbury Electrical and Computer Eng. Department ‘15

Provided support and instruction to undergraduate students during tutorial sessions for controls and instrumentation. 

EDUCATION:                      

University of Texas San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA, Postdoctoral Research, 2015-2017,

Department: Computer Science

University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ, PhD, 2012-2015, 

Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering 

Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, USA, MS, 2008-2010,

Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering

The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ, USA, BS, 2004-2008,

Major: Biomedical Engineering 

ACCREDITATION/AWARDS:

• Toastmasters International, Level 5 Visionary Communicator Pathway Completion (2020)

• Focused Ultrasound Foundation Fellowship at Jeju National University (2019-2020)

• Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at University of Texas San Antonio (2015-2017)

• IEEE Member (2015)   

• Van der Veer Institute Doctoral Scholarship (2012)

• AEL Graduate Honors Society Member (2009-2010)

• Passed EIT Exam (Spring 2008)