Calen Walshe 🚀

Calen Walshe

Quantitative Research Leader | AI/ML for Ads Ranking & UX at Meta

Professional Summary

Calen Walshe is a survey scientist and applied ML researcher who builds end-to-end systems for turning human feedback into production signals. He combines classical survey methodology, causal inference, and NLP to derive insights from open text and implicit response data. At Meta, he leads the design and deployment of scalable pipelines that feed quality metrics and sentiment signals directly into core ranking and recommendation models. He is deeply attuned to measurement reliability, drift detection, and end-to-end observability in real-time serving environments. His technical fluency spans from conceptual survey design to engineering high-performance inference systems, bridging behavioral science and infrastructure.

Education

B.A. (Hons) in Cognitive Science

Simon Fraser University

Ph.D.

University of Edinburgh

Selected Publications
R Calen Walshe, Wilson S Geisler (2022). Efficient Allocation of Attentional Sensitivity Gain in Visual Cortex Reduces Foveal Sensitivity in Visual Search. Current Biology.
Publisher
R.C. Walshe, Antje Nuthmann (2021). A computational dual-process model of fixation duration control in natural scene viewing. Computational Brain & Behavior.
Ruohan Zhang, R. Calen Walshe, Zhuode Liu, Lin Guan, K.S. Muller, Jake A. Writner, Luxin Zhang, Mary M Hayhoe, Dana H Ballard (2020). Atari-HEAD: Atari Human Eye-Tracking and Demonstration Dataset. Proceedings of the Thirty-Fourth AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AAAI-20).
All Publications
Christy K Sheehy, Mark Mackanos, Jason Karp, Daniel Gray, Scott Liddle, Nathan Luck, Joe Xing, Calen Walshe, Andrew Norton, Jacqueline Theis (2025). Systems, devices, and methods for imaging a subject’s retina and analyzing of retinal images. US Patent App. 18/723,333.
R Calen Walshe, Wilson S Geisler (2022). Efficient Allocation of Attentional Sensitivity Gain in Visual Cortex Reduces Foveal Sensitivity in Visual Search. Current Biology.
Publisher
Joe Xing, Calen Walshe, Min Zhang, Ethan a Rossi, Christy K Sheehy (2022). Retinal Task Detection and Image Perception using End-to-end Deep Neural Network (DNN) based Algorithms. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.
R.C. Walshe, Antje Nuthmann (2021). A computational dual-process model of fixation duration control in natural scene viewing. Computational Brain & Behavior.
J Barnes, M.R. Blair, R.C. Walshe, P.F. Tupper (2021). LAG-1: A dynamic, integrative model of learning, attention, and gaze. PLOS ONE.
See all publications

Experience

  1. Staff Quantitative Researcher

    Meta
    I analyze billions of user interactions to distill complex data into clear, actionable product strategies. My expertise lies in transforming large-scale data insights directly into impactful product decisions.

  2. Data Scientist

    C. Light Technologies, Inc.
    I developed the core software algorithms powering an advanced retinal scanning system, enabling accurate detection and filtering of low-quality medical images. My work directly enhanced the device’s diagnostic precision and reliability.

  3. Research Scientist

    The University of Texas at Austin

    Built and validated large-scale computational models of cortical circuits to probe memory, attention, and decision-making.

    Secured competitive grant funding and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations that advanced the field of cognitive neuroscience.

  4. Data Scientist

    The Edinburgh Journal Ltd
    I predicted tomorrow’s news trends to help readers connect deeply with their city. By building analytics that anticipated demand, my work directly boosted the Journal’s readership.

  5. Research Scientist

    Mediative

    Ran EEG- and eye-tracking studies to map attention and emotion to ad performance and in-store behavior.

    Converted neural signals into predictive models of click-through and purchase intent, shaping campaign and site-design decisions for major retail and tech clients.

    Published industry whitepapers and presented findings at neuromarketing conferences, elevating Mediative’s market profile.

  6. Data and Research Science Intern

    Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
    Supported research initiatives in Vancouver, BC, combining data analysis with experimental design to advance scientific discovery.

Education

  1. B.A. (Hons) in Cognitive Science

    Simon Fraser University
    B.A. (Hons) in Cognitive Science, Simon Fraser University (2009).

  2. Ph.D.

    University of Edinburgh
    Ph.D., University of Edinburgh (completed 2015).