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Biography
Dr. Andrew Flynn received both his B.Sc. (joint hons.) degree in Physics and Applied Mathematics in 2017 and his Ph.D. degree in Applied Mathematics in 2023 from University College Cork. Dr. Flynn is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the INFANT Research Centre and the School of Mathematical Sciences. Dr. Flynn is working in collaboration with Prof. Liam Marnane and Prof. Sebastian Wieczorek on the ‘Nonlinear Dynamics and Critical Transitions in the Neonatal Brain’ project where the aim is to apply and develop new mathematical techniques to advance the current state of the art in seizure prediction and classification from EEG data while also using this data to construct new data-driven models of seizure dynamics.
Research Interests
Dr. Flynn is interested in the application of dynamical systems theory to study and advance our understanding of problems that span across a broad range of disciplines. His main areas of expertise are in nonlinear dynamics and machine learning, and his main research area is in reservoir computing.
Dr. Flynn's major research contribution has been in demonstrating and developing the theory of how to train an artificial neural network, in the form of a reservoir computer, to perform multiple tasks using the same set of trained weights by exploiting a form of multistability, thereby mimicking the operational features of multifunctional networks in the brains of humans and other living creatures. Multifunctionality unlocks several new machine learning application for artificial neural networks such as: data-driven modelling of multistability, generating chaotic itinerancy, novel memory recall techniques, and reconstructing transitions present in the epileptic brain.
Dr. Flynn's research highlights the importance of a dynamics-driven approach when training artificial neural networks to display a broader level of intelligence by performing multiple tasks without compromising on explainability.
Google Scholar Profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=NBwQy6wAAAAJResearch Grants
| | Project | Funding
Body | Start Date | End Date | Award |
|---|
| Mathematical Analysis of Advanced Algorithms in Systems and Control: A Dynamical Systems Approach | Irish Research Council | 01-JAN-18 | 31-MAY-23 | €96,000.00 |
Publications
Peer Reviewed Journals
| | Year | Publication |
|---|
| (2023) | 'Seeing double with a multifunctional reservoir computer'
Flynn, Andrew and Tsachouridis, Vassilios A. and Amann, Andreas (2023) 'Seeing double with a multifunctional reservoir computer'. Chaos, 33 (11) [DOI] [Details] |
| (2021) | 'Multifunctionality in a reservoir computer'
Flynn, Andrew and Tsachouridis, Vassilios A. and Amann, Andreas (2021) 'Multifunctionality in a reservoir computer'. Chaos, 31 (1) [DOI] [Details] |
| (2021) | 'Symmetry kills the square in a multifunctional reservoir computer'
Flynn, Andrew and Herteux, Joschka and Tsachouridis, Vassilios A. and Räth, Christoph and Amann, Andreas (2021) 'Symmetry kills the square in a multifunctional reservoir computer'. Chaos, 31 (7) [DOI] [Details] |
Conference Publications
| | Year | Publication |
|---|
| (2022) | Proceedings of the International Joint Conference on Neural Networks
Flynn, Andrew; Heilmann, Oliver; Köglmayr, Daniel; Tsachouridis, Vassilios A.; Räth, Christoph; Amann, Andreas (2022) Exploring the limits of multifunctionality across different reservoir computers Proceedings of the International Joint Conference on Neural Networks Padua, Italy, , 18-JUL-22 - 23-JUL-22 , pp.1-8 [DOI] [Full Text] [Details] |
| (2019) | 2019 30th Irish Signals and Systems Conference (ISSC)
Flynn, Andrew and Tsachouridis, Vassilios A. and Amann, Andreas (2019) On the Initialisation of the Recursive Prediction Error Method for Nonlinear System Identification 2019 30th Irish Signals and Systems Conference (ISSC) , pp.1-6 [Details] |
Thesis/Dissertation
| | Year | Publication |
|---|
| (2023) | Theory and applications of multifunctional reservoir computers.
Flynn, Andrew (2023) Theory and applications of multifunctional reservoir computers. Thesis/Dissertation [Details] |
Professional Activities
Honours and Awards
| | Year | Title | Awarding Body |
|---|
| 2022 | Best Speaker | Irish SIAM Student Chapter Conference |
| 2022 | Postgraduate Publication of the Year 2021 | SEFS UCC |
| 2014 | University Scholarship | Physics Department UCC |
| 2013 | Barra O' Briain Medal (outstanding performance in the Leaving Certificate) | Cork Education and Training Board |
Professional Associations
| | Association | Function | From / To |
|---|
| SIAM (Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics) | Member | / |
Education
| | Year | Institution | Qualification | Subject |
|---|
| 2023 | University College Cork | Ph.D. | Applied Mathematics |
| 2017 | University College Cork | B.Sc. (Joint Honours) | Physics & Applied Mathematics |
Teaching Activities
Teaching Interests
AM2072 Mathematical Experimentation and Chaos (2020-2022)
AM3062 Optimisation and the Calculus of Variations (2023)
Research Information
Internal Collaborators
| | Name | Institute | Country |
|---|
| Dr. Andreas Amann | School of Mathematical Sciences | IRELAND |
External Collaborators
| | Name | Organisation / Institute | Country |
|---|
| Dr. Vassilios A. Tsachouridis | Collins Aerospace | IRELAND |
