Taras Lokotko

Taras Lokotko-• +1 - • Facility for Rare Isotopes Beams, East Lansing, MI, USA Experienced nuclear physicist with over a decade of hands-on work in radioactive ion beam experiments and instrumentation. Specialized in radiation detection systems, from concept and simulation to mechanical integration and experimental deployment. Proficient in Monte Carlo modeling (Geant4, PHITS, MCNP), custom DAQ systems, and high-performance computing for detector optimization. Experienced in working with vacuum systems, large-scale detector arrays, and advanced calibration techniques in international lab environments. A committed collaborator and mentor, eager to contribute to cutting-edge detector R&D in multidisciplinary teams. Active contributor in international research programs across France, Japan, USA and Hong Kong. Fluently speak English, Russian and Ukrainian, beginner level – German and French. SUMMARY • Specialist in experimental nuclear physics and detector development • Extensive experience with radiation detectors: scintillators, TPCs, gamma arrays and neutron walls • Large-scale detector integration: from 3D AutoCAD design to wiring, vacuum installation, and testing • Proficiency with Monte-Carlo simulations using PHITS, Geant4 and MCNP: radiation environment simulations, shielding evaluation, detector properties, radiation damages and etc. • Demonstrated expertise in data analysis techniques (C++/ROOT, Python), bash command scripts, statistical modeling and HPC systems • Hands-on experience with DAQ systems, beamline instrumentation and magnetic field operations • Familiar with vacuum systems and radiation-hardened design environments • Installation and operation of vacuum systems for beampipes and detectors WORK EXPERIENCE Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at Michigan State University, Postdoctoral researcher May 2022 – May 2025 • Led large-scale Monte Carlo simulations (PHITS and Geant4) using 200+ CPU cores to model neutron detector arrays. Investigated neutron transport and scattering behavior for improved reconstruction algorithms in large-scale neutron wall systems, optimizing detection efficiency. Conducted in-depth analyses of light particles (H-Be) movement within varied magnetic fields (0.5 Tm – 0.8 Tm) via Monte Carlo Geant4 simulations to optimize experimental outcomes and to enhance resolution and efficiency of the time projection chamber. • Led preparation and commissioning of experiments at RIKEN, including testing and integration of the SPIRIT time projection chamber (TPC) and HIME neutron wall. Supported full experimental setup: construction of beampipe, installation of vacuum systems, assembly of mechanical support structures and calibrations of multiple detector systems. Upgraded electronics for the TPC, including installation of a new readout system and gating grid driver. Actively contributed to the DAQ setup, online monitoring and real-time data validation during beamtime. • Analysed asymmetric Sn+Sn and Xe+Sn collisions as part of the Equation of State Project, using high performance computing clusters (1500+ CPUs) for large-scale data processing. Reconstructed neutron kinematic properties - energy spectra and flow - using the NeuLAND detector array, and applied Monte Carloderived efficiency matrices for data correction. Compared neutron flow observables with charged particle measurements from the SPIRIT time projection chamber. Actively engaged in mentoring PhD students, contributed to scientific article writing, and facilitated publication efforts. Laboratory of Corpuscular Physics (LPC Caen), Postdoctoral researcher Oct 2019 - Apr 2022 • Conducted data analysis to investigate the nuclear properties of radioactive 22C, 21B, and 19B nuclei and neighbouring isotopes, utilizing experimental data from the RIKEN Science Center in Japan. Developed analysis codes using C++11, which included signal reconstruction from a large detector setup comprising up to 10 different detectors with over 1000 channels. • Focused on reconstructing neutron signals and classifying true events versus false ones using an optimized cross-talk filter with an efficiency exceeding 70% for the two-neutron reaction channel. Enhanced and accelerated data analysis through parallel computations, utilizing up to 80% of the total CPU power of the cluster, implemented at the Bash level. Interpreted data using multi-dimensional chi-square fittings, incorporating Monte Carlo simulated response functions as input. Mentored students and contributed to writing and publishing scientific articles. The University of Hong Kong, Nuclear Physics Laboratory, PhD student, Research Assistant Sep 2014 - Oct 2019 • Conducted data analysis to investigate level structure of the radioactive 96,98Kr nuclei which were produced at RIKEN science center in Japan. Took leading roles in the preparation and participation in the in-beam experiment at RIKEN. Development of advanced laboratory course for Physics Department. Involvement in mentoring students, tutorials, practical work in the laboratory, articles writing and publication. • PhD thesis was based on the data analysis and investigation of shape coexistence properties of radioactive 69,71,73 Co nuclei. Analysis codes were based on C++11/ROOT. Main analysis part: reconstruction of gammaray signals, obtained via 180-crystal detection setup and corrected via Monte-Carlo based simulations for detector efficiency and acceptance. Reconstructed energy levels were compared with theoretical calculations using LNPS model for nuclear interaction. • Various roles during experiments at RIKEN Nishina Center, Japan: • Experiments with direct reactions using NaI detector arrays (shell structure in neutron-rich nuclei) within SeaStar collaboration. • Experiments dedicated to physics of light nuclei (neutron halos, clustering) within SAMURAI collaboration. • Experiments dedicated to beta-decay of light nuclei within EURICA collaboration. EDUCATION The University of Hong Kong • 2014 - 2019 Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv Ph.D • Nuclear Physics Master • Nuclear and High Energy Physics • 2011 - 2013 University Paris Sud 11 • 2013 - 2014 Bachelor of Physics • 2007 - 2011 Master • Nuclear and Elementary Particles Physics SKILLS 1. Computing • Proficiency in Linux, macOS, Windows and Raspberry Pi operating systems • Skilled in C++, ROOT, Python and bash coding; experienced with MATLAB, Maple, Mathematica • Hands-on with high-performance computing: remote servers, multi-core computing and Google Cloud • Experienced with Git/GitHub for version control and collaborative development • Working knowledge of machine learning: Neural Networks, Hyperparameter Tuning, Tensorflow 2. Statistical & Mathematical Analysis • Expertise in chi-square distribution analysis and hypothesis testing and regression methods • Proficient in likelihood analysis, Pearson's chi-squared and model comparison • Skilled in mathematical modeling of physical systems and detector response functions 3. Data Analysis & Radiation • Extensive experience analyzing data from gamma-ray detectors (NaI, Ge), plastic scintillators, drift chambers, TPCs, neutron walls • Skilled in gamma-gamma coincidence analysis, uncertainty propagation and efficiency correction • Advanced user of Monte Carlo simulations (Geant4, PHITS, MCNP) for detector response, shielding and radiation damage • Proficient in data visualization and interpretation of multidetector systems 4. Experimental Instrumentation & Engineering • Installation, calibration and operation of gamma-ray arrays (NaI, CsI, Ge) and neutron detectors • Setup, alignment and testing of large-scale detector arrays and support structures • Experience with time projection chambers, drift chambers and plastic scintillators • Skilled in DAQ integration, vacuum systems and operations near magnetic fields • Developed and applied neutron scattering algorithms for reconstruction optimization • Designed custom experimental hardware using AutoCAD (2D/3D mechanical drawings) TEACHING EXPERIENCE Courses developed and led at the Faculty of Science, Department of Physics, The University of Hong Kong Advanced Laboratory Course; Nuclear Physics Course; General Physics Course; Electrodynamics; Mechanics; Engineers; LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS • Certificate of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education • The University of Hong Kong • Ionizing Radiation and X-ray Protection • The University of Hong Kong • Neural Networks and Deep Learning • Coursera • Structuring Machine Learning Projects • Coursera • Improving Deep Neural Networks: Hyperparameter Tuning, Regularization and Optimization • Coursera CONFERENCES & WORKSHOP TALKS • DREB2018 (Japan): “Shape coexistence of neutron-rich 69,71,73Co isotopes” • ARIS2017 (USA): “Spectroscopy of neutron-rich 69,71,73Co nuclei” • 2017 Gordon Research Conferences (Hong Kong): “Spectroscopy of neutron-rich 69,71,73Co nuclei” • 2015 Gordon Research Conferences (Hong Kong): “Cluster phenomena in Be nuclei” • 5-th SUNFLOWER Workshop (Hong Kong): “Spectroscopy of 69,71,73Co nuclei”