Benjamin Speakman

1926 Safari Trail, Eagan, MN 55122                                                     (651)238-3777; benjamin.speakman@gmail.com

Qualifications and Core Competencies

I am an experienced software engineer, data analyst and electrical test engineer with a background in particle physics.  I have worked in the semiconductor industry for one year, testing and analyzing STRAM memory devices. Before that, I worked in particle physics research for 8 years, where I modeled complex data, tested and used electrical instruments for particle physics measurements, and developed software for data analysis.  In my career I have attained technical expertise in:

· Data Analysis:  ROOT, Spotfire, JMP, Statistical Modeling, Product Life and Reliability Analysis, Monte Carlo Simulations, Neural Networks and other Statistical Pattern Recognition Methods

· Electrical Testing: Oscilloscopes, Function Generators, Logic Analyzers, GPIB/SCPI, LabWindows/CVI, LabView, Magnetic Field Design, MOSAID Tester, Cascade Probe Station.

· Computing: Linux, MS Windows, MS Office, CVS/RCS, Subversion, Latex, Distributed Processing

· Programming Languages: C++, C, Fortran, Python, Perl, PHP, HTML, BASH Scripting

· Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, Relational DB Design and Interface, PHP Web DB Interface

· Particle Physics: Photomultiplier Tubes (PMT), Organic and Crystal Scintillators, NIM Electronics

Professional Experience

2008/06 - Seagate Technology                                                 Edina, MN

Present Development Senior Engineer                     Memory Products Group

The Memory Products Group at Seagate Technology consists of 80 design, process, integration, and test/characterization engineers examining solid-state storage technologies beyond flash memory.  My key responsibilities and notable accomplishments have been:

· Testing and analysis of STRAM devices and memory array circuits with a MOSAID tester.

· Design and implementation of magnetic response modeling software to find optimal design and placement of coils for magnetic field device.

· Design and construction of magnetic field device to study physical properties of MTJ bits.

· Development of Python software to analyze memory array data from MOSAID tester.

· Design and implementation of MOSAID control software to manipulate magnetic fields, feedback device usability, and maintain test activity logs for RCCA studies.

· Developed test methods to measure magnetic energy barriers and predict device reliability.

· Regularly reported test and analysis results to process, design and integration groups.

2007/05- University of Minnesota                                     Minneapolis, MN

2008/06 Research Associate                                MINOS and NOVA Experiments

The NOVA experiment is a continuation of the MINOS experiment (described in the next work experience), using the same beam-line with two new detectors.  The project will begin construction in 2011.  As a post-doc, my responsibilities with these two experiments were:

· Development of neural-network and spatial clustering software to distinguish neutrino interaction types in NOVA far detector.

· Design of Java/MySQL QA tracking system for the NOVA module factory.

· Analysis of solar-cycle impact on particle flux rates and relevant systematic effects on MINOS oscillation measurements with atmospheric neutrinos.

· Design and implementation of software to model quantum-mechanical oscillation of particles as they pass through on oblate, multi-layered, multi-density Earth model.

2001/06- University of Minnesota                                     Minneapolis, MN

2007/05 Graduate Research Assistant                          MINOS Experiment

The MINOS experiment is an international collaboration of 100+ physicists from 15 institutions.  This collaboration built two detectors and a neutrino beam-line to study the phenomenon of neutrino oscillation.  As a MINOS graduate student, I was responsible for:

· Design and implementation of pattern recognition software to identify neutrino event types.

· Design and implementation of QA software to report status of detector electronics.

· Development of MySQL database interface for electronic-channel mapping.

· Implementation of LabWindows/CVI software for scintillator and photo-detector QA.

· Linux systems administration utilizing Condor distributed computing environment for batch processing.

2000/08- University of Minnesota                                     Minneapolis, MN

2001/06 Graduate Research Assistant                         Soudan2 Experiment

The Soudan2 experiment preceded the MINOS Experiment in the Soudan Mine, with a single underground detector to study atmospheric neutrinos.  Early in my graduate school career, I participated in a project with responsibilities to:

· Design and implement an experiment to study simulated electron tracking in the Soudan2 detector using the EGS4 Monte Carlo software.

· Purchase, construct and administer a Linux computer farm for distributed processing of large-scale Monte Carlo simulations.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (Particle Physics), Graduated May, 2007

University of Minnesota – Minneapolis, MN

Bachelors of Science (Physics), Graduated May, 1999 (Cum Laude)

University of Minnesota – Minneapolis, MN

Publications

· Benjamin Speakman , “Atmospheric Electron Neutrinos in the MINOS Far Detector,” UMN Thesis, June 2007

· 2001 – 2008: Primary author on 5 MINOS Collaboration Notes and 2 Soudan2 Collaboration Notes

· 2005 – 2008: Co-author on 10 MINOS Journal Publications and 3 Soudan2 Journal Publications.

Complete publication and reference lists available upon request