Desi is interested in modeling different neural network processes of natural phenomena, such as learning and memory or image processing, to better understand information flow through biological neurons. He attended the University of California, Santa Cruz as an undergraduate and earned his BS in Cognitive Science with a minor in Computer Science, concentrating on artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction. During Desi's time at UC Santa Cruz, he worked with James Ackman studying developmental functional neural activity using wide-field calcium imaging techniques. His experience working with bioinformatics and machine learning methods to understand neural activity solidified his passion to perform research at the intersection of neuroscience and computer science.