Dimitris Fotis Sakellariou (Piramidal)

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Overview

Dimitris Fotis Sakellariou, often referred to by his moniker "Piramidal," is a pioneering neuroengineer and AI scientist. He is best known as the founder and CEO of Piramidal, a cutting-edge neurotechnology startup based in San Francisco. Sakellariou's work primarily involves developing innovative AI models that interpret complex brainwave data, particularly for applications in intensive care units (ICUs). With over 15 years of experience, he has significantly contributed to the fields of computational neuroscience and neuroengineering, with a focus on EEG (electroencephalogram) analysis. Under his leadership, Piramidal has gained recognition for its ambitious goal of building the world's first large foundation model for the brain, which promises to revolutionize neurological diagnostics and patient care.

Recent Developments

  • August 2025: Piramidal, under Sakellariou's leadership, has partnered with the Cleveland Clinic to develop a large-scale AI model aimed at enhancing brain health monitoring in ICUs. This collaboration utilizes EEG data to interpret brain activity in real-time, enabling quicker medical interventions. The model has been refined using proprietary and public EEG datasets and targets applications in real-time patient monitoring, epilepsy, and sleep analysis.
  • August 2024: The startup secured $6 million in seed funding, supported by Y Combinator, Lionheart Ventures, and Adverb Ventures, to advance their AI-powered foundation model for brainwave analysis. This model aims to enhance the speed and accuracy of EEG interpretation, crucial for diagnosing neurological disorders.
  • 2024: Sakellariou's AI model development at Piramidal attracted attention from major healthcare providers for its potential to manage and understand unexplored dimensions of brainwave data.
  • The announcement of a strategic collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic to co-develop and refine these models marks a significant step forward in the field of medical AI, aiming for a wider commercial rollout.

Personal Information

AttributeInformation
Full NameDimitris Fotis Sakellariou
BornInformation unavailable
NationalityInformation unavailable
OccupationNeuroengineer, AI Scientist, Founder & CEO
Known ForFounder of Piramidal, EEG Analysis, AI Development
Net WorthInformation unavailable
EducationPhD in Computational Neuroscience, King's College London

Early Life and Education

Dimitris Fotis Sakellariou grew up with a passion for both science and technology, leading to an illustrious academic career in computational neuroscience. He graduated from the University of Patras with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Physics and Electrical Engineering, focusing on digital signal processing and pattern recognition. Pursuing a PhD at King’s College London, his research delved into neuroengineering and applied machine learning, which laid the foundation for his groundbreaking work in EEG analysis. Sakellariou’s academic endeavors combined rigorous scientific inquiry with a keen interest in AI, culminating in the establishment of his company, Piramidal.

Career and Notable Achievements

  • 2008-2020: Sakellariou worked intensively on EEG research, contributing to understanding brainwave patterns and neurological disorders.
  • 2023: Co-founded Piramidal with Kris Pahuja, marking a significant shift towards integrating AI with neurological studies.
    • Developed the first large neuro model, extending the concept of language models like ChatGPT to EEG data.
    • Aimed at revolutionizing neurological diagnostics and offering real-time patient monitoring capabilities.
  • Awards & Recognitions:
    1. NVIDIA GPU Grant (2019)
    2. MRC Confidence in Concept Grant (2018)

Current Work and Impact

Currently, Dimitris Sakellariou is intensively involved in expanding Piramidal's ambitions to new frontiers in medical AI, particularly focusing on real-time applications of EEG data in healthcare. By leveraging large-scale AI models, his work is poised to provide unprecedented insights into brain activity, offering potential breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions. The collaboration with major institutions like the Cleveland Clinic highlights the transformative potential of his research, making strides towards more dynamic and responsive healthcare solutions.

Conclusion

Dimitris Fotis Sakellariou stands at the forefront of neurotechnology innovation, bridging the gap between theoretical neuroscience and practical AI applications. Through his leadership at Piramidal, he has not only advanced the field of EEG analysis but also pioneered methods that could redefine patient care globally. As healthcare technology continues to evolve, Sakellariou's contributions are expected to leave a lasting impact, driving the future of AI-enabled medical diagnostics.

References

  1. An AI Model for the Brain Is Coming to the ICU
  2. Doctors Use Breakthrough Large Neuro Model To Decode Brain Activity
  3. Piramidal Raises $6M to Revolutionize Brainwave Analysis with AI-Powered Foundation Model
  4. Piramidal, a San Fransisco, CA-based AI powered neurotech startup
  5. Cleveland Clinic Partners with Startup Piramidal to Develop AI Model for Brain Monitoring in ICU
  6. Dimitris Fotis Sakellariou LinkedIn
  7. Dimitris Fotis Sakellariou GitHub
  8. Piramidal Inc. Official Site
  9. i-am-dimitris Official Website
  10. TechCrunch on Piramidal's Foundation Model