I’m Matěj [/ˈmatɛj/] Hejda.
I am an experimental scientist with cross-disciplinary expertise spanning the fields of nanoscience, optics and computer science. Originally from Czech Republic, I’m currently living in Glasgow, Scotland. I have an Ing. (M.Eng. equivalent) degree (cum laude) in Nanotechnology from Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic and currently, I am working towards a PhD degree, focusing on neuromorphic functionalities in photonic and optoelectronic systems for brain-inspired, energy efficient optical computing. My past projects include functionalization of 2D nanomaterials (at Czech Academy of Sciences), heterogenous hybrid integration of nanostructures and development of interferometric imaging systems with subnanometric axial resolution (at ICFO, Barcelona).
Driven by curiosity and aiming for real world impact, I deeply enjoy working on challenging problems spanning diverse fields and disciplines, especially at the bleeding edge of technology and with applications in sight. Besides my core knowledge and skills in experimental physics, I enjoy all kinds of programming (especially in Python, starting with Julia), data visualizations (mainly matplotlib) and machine learning (starting with PyTorch).
Work
In my research, I aim to demonstrate neuro-inspired functionality in photonic and optoelectronic devices, with the goal of creating fundamental building blocks for light-powered on-chip artifical neural networks* (= neuromorphic hardware)*.
With the ever increasing importance of machine learning (ML) approaches in our everyday lives, the focus is now also shifting to the hardware used for those AI/ML tasks. While conventional CPUs and GPUs can run these algorithms, their efficiency for such tasks is sub-optimal. This is where neuromorphic engineering comes into the picture. In particular, photonics offer multitude of desirable properties for such computing systems, and are investigated as an alternative to more traditional (and more mature) CMOS-based electronic neuromorphic systems.
At University of Strathclyde, we investigate neuron-like functionality in vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) [link] and coupled opto-electronic systems based on resonant tunneling diode (RTD) circuits [link].
My research combines aspects of photonics and nanophotonics, electrical engineering, nonlinear dynamics, computational neuroscience and computer science / machine learning. I am also involved in the student community, currently serving as the President of SCOPE, the Strathclyde Student Community for Optics, Physics and Engineering.
My dream would be to push a young technology (such as a neuromorphic chip) all the way from the lab into a commercially viable product & spin-off company.
Interests
My research builds on foundations from physics, photonics, nanotechnology and computer science and as such, it may come as no surprise that most of my interests relate to science & tech. These include (among others) developments in AI and machine learning, digital privacy and decentralized finance. I’m also fascinated by how our minds work, and therefore interested in metacognition, behavioural psychology and model thinking.
During holidays and weekends, there’s high chance you’ll find me roaming and taking photos in some remote places of Scotland (or travelling in general), coding in Python or reading non-fiction books. On the creative front, I deeply enjoy music of various kinds, particularly electronic and alternative. I also produce my own and occasionaly DJ. You can listen to my music on Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud or any other streaming service.