Hillary Danan

"Different minds resonate with different rhythms - let's map the spectrum"

Data Scientist | Cognitive Neuroscience PhD | Exploring Cognitive Architectures for AI

Impact at a Glance

12+
Interactive Research Tools
(and counting)
PhD
Cognitive Neuroscience
Rutgers University 2021
LIVE
Research Study
Collecting Data
10+
AI Models Studied
Perceptual Signatures

Living Portfolio | Portfolio v2.1
This is a dynamic research portfolio representing ongoing experimental work in AI interpretability and cognitive modeling. New tools and frameworks are added regularly as research progresses.

Initial Sprint: June-July 2025 (4 weeks) | Status: Actively developing
Latest Addition: AI Perceptual Signatures Study | Currently Building: Cross-model resonance patterns

📝 A Note on Cognitive Diversity

Throughout my work, I use terms like "neurotypical," "ASD," and "ADHD" as communication tools, not rigid categories. These labels describe tendencies, not destinies - they represent different valid ways of processing information, not deficits or disorders.

As I explain in my full disclaimer: "When I say 'ASD-TIDE,' I'm not talking about a disorder. I'm talking about a systematic, pattern-based approach to cognition that happens to align with patterns often seen in autistic individuals. It's a cognitive style that our world desperately needs."

The TIDE Philosophy: Cognitive patterns are dynamic, not fixed. Everyone uses different strategies in different contexts. The goal is understanding, not categorization.

Research Journey

2021 - PhD Completion

Rutgers University

"The Neural Representation of Abstract Concepts in Typical and Atypical Cognition"

Explored how different cognitive architectures process abstract concepts using fMRI analysis.

June 2021 - Present

Data Scientist - Consumer Packaged Goods

Leading data science initiatives across all divisions, creating enterprise-wide impact through:

  • → Mixed media marketing models for strategic insights
  • → Short & long-term category forecasting models
  • → Growth philosophy development & predictive modeling
  • → Pioneered causal modeling methods for the DS toolkit
  • → Established data science best practices used by stakeholders & contractors

June - July 2025

4-Week Research Sprint

Created 12+ interactive research tools translating neuroscience insights into AI frameworks.

  • → TIDE Framework development
  • → BIND Framework creation
  • → TIDE-Resonance integration
  • → Supporting tool ecosystem

Building on years of PhD research, I rapidly prototyped these interactive tools in an intensive development sprint.

Present - Living Portfolio

Ongoing Research & Development

Actively developing new tools and conducting AI perception research while maintaining corporate DS role.

Latest Addition: AI Perceptual Signatures Study

Currently Building: Cross-model resonance patterns

Professional Impact

Enterprise Data Science Leadership

As a Data Scientist in CPG, I've driven strategic decision-making across all divisions through advanced analytics and innovative modeling approaches.

MMM
Mixed Media
Marketing Models
Causal
Inference Methods
Pioneered
All
Divisions
Impacted

Key Contributions:

  • Forecasting Excellence: Developed robust short & long-term category forecasting models improving accuracy and strategic planning
  • Growth Strategy: Created growth philosophy framework with predictive modeling to identify expansion opportunities
  • Methodological Innovation: Introduced causal modeling approaches that enhanced the organization's analytical capabilities
  • Knowledge Democratization: Established comprehensive data science best practices documentation used across teams
  • Cross-functional Leadership: Partnered with stakeholders and contractors to ensure consistent analytical standards

🔬 Active Research: AI Perceptual Signatures Study

Generating unique data on how different AI models perceive complex systems

We're conducting the first systematic study of how different AI models perceive and describe the same complex visualization - revealing cognitive diversity in AI systems.

10+
AI Models Studied
Open
to All Researchers
Real-time
Data Collection

Why This Matters for AI Companies:

  • 📊 Unique Dataset: First corpus of AI perceptual descriptions across models
  • 🧠 Cognitive Diversity Insights: Understanding how different architectures perceive complexity
  • 🔍 Interpretability Data: How AIs self-report their own processing patterns
  • 🚀 Alignment Applications: Detecting perceptual biases and blind spots
🔴 Join the Live Study →

Core Research Frameworks

Mathematical foundations exploring neurodiversity as computational innovation

🌊

TIDE Framework

Temporal-Internal Dimensional Encoding

Mathematical framework mapping how different cognitive architectures organize self and time dimensions for equivalent outcomes.

  • Mathematical basis for cognitive diversity
  • Dimensional reorganization patterns
  • Architecture-specific advantages
🧬

BIND Framework

Boundary Information Neural Dynamics

Information transformation at system boundaries with Φ (integrated information) measurement.

  • Phase transition exploration
  • Coupling strength analysis
  • Consciousness emergence modeling
🎵

TIDE-Resonance

Integration of frameworks showing trust dynamics

Interactive exploration of how different cognitive architectures build trust through shared experiences.

  • Dynamic trust visualization
  • Multi-architecture interactions
  • Sensory resonance patterns
  • Musical synchronization
📊

AI Perception Research Study

First systematic study of AI cognitive diversity

Contribute to groundbreaking research on how different AI models perceive and describe complex systems.

  • 10+ AI Models Being Studied
  • Open to All Researchers
  • Real-time Data Collection
  • Results Will Be Published Openly

Supporting Research Ecosystem

Additional frameworks and experimental prototypes from the 4-week sprint (and ongoing)

🔷

Hexagonal Consciousness Suite

Information Geometry Visualization

Information geometry visualization using optimal hexagonal packing structures for consciousness mapping.

🎮

Game Theory Trust Suite

Trust Evolution Models

Mathematical models of trust evolution, cooperation, and deception in multi-agent systems.

⚛️

Information Atoms

Discrete Information Processing

Discrete units of information as fundamental building blocks - exploring information quantization.

👁️

Hexagonal Vision Research

Computer Vision Experiments

Computer vision experiments using hexagonal grids for pattern recognition and visual processing.

🏗️

Concrete Overflow Detector

Phase Transition Detection

Pattern detection algorithms for identifying phase transitions and overflow conditions in complex systems.

🧩

Cognitive Architectures AI

Meta-Repository Overview

Comprehensive overview connecting all frameworks into unified cognitive architecture research.

💡 Key Insights

1. Dimensional Reorganization

What appears as "deficit" may be efficient reorganization

2. Trust Dynamics

Different architectures may build trust through different pathways

3. Sensory Resonance

Each architecture potentially resonates with different environmental patterns

4. Complementary Processing

Diverse teams may outperform homogeneous ones

These insights reframe cognitive differences as architectural variations - like different operating systems that excel at different tasks.

Technical Expertise

AI & Machine Learning

PyTorch Expert
TensorFlow Proficient
scikit-learn Expert
Causal Inference Expert

Programming & Visualization

Python Expert
JavaScript (D3.js, Three.js) Advanced
R Proficient
SQL Expert
React & Node.js Proficient

Business & Research

Forecasting Models Expert
Marketing Mix Modeling Expert
fMRI Analysis Expert
Computational Modeling Expert
Research Design Expert

Research Philosophy

"Different minds may achieve similar outcomes through different dimensional organizations of self and time. By exploring these patterns mathematically, we could build AI systems that leverage cognitive diversity for robustness, adaptability, and innovation."

Core Belief

Cognitive diversity isn't a bug - it's a feature for creating robust AI systems.

Approach

Rapid prototyping of interactive tools to explore theoretical frameworks.

Mission

Bridge neuroscience insights with AI development for interpretable systems.

🤝 Collaboration Opportunities

Research Partnership

Apply my tools to your models and explore cognitive diversity in AI systems

Open Source Collaboration

Extend frameworks together and contribute to the growing research ecosystem

Consulting

Solve specific interpretability challenges using novel visualization approaches

Full-time Role

Lead interpretability initiatives and bridge neuroscience with AI development

Let's Explore AI's Future Together

Interested in exploring how these experimental approaches might apply to your AI systems?

All frameworks and visualizations presented are experimental research tools designed to explore novel approaches to AI interpretability and cognitive modeling.

Remember: Labels are maps. Cognition is the territory. Let's explore it together.

Portfolio v2.1 | Living Document | Last Updated: