Sean Fletcher

Portland, ME

Graduate student in Computer Science specializing in computational pathology, computer vision, and NLP. Researcher with publications at CLEF (2023) and FMLDS (2025), focusing on deep learning, biomedical image analysis, and database systems. Technical strengths include Python, PyTorch, SQL, and machine learning pipelines. Former linguist and licensed ASL interpreter with extensive experience in cross-disciplinary communication, accessibility, and collaborative problem-solving.


Publications

  • Fletcher, S., Scott, G., Currie, D., Zhang, X., Song, Y., & MacLeod, B. (2025). Deep Learning for Taxol Exposure Analysis: A New Cell Image Dataset and Attention-Based Baseline Model. arXiv:2508.14349. Accepted at FMLDS 2025.
  • Mansouri, B., Durgin, S., Franklin, S. J., Fletcher, S., & Campos, R. (2023). AIIR and LIAAD Labs Systems for CLEF 2023 SimpleText. PDF.

Projects

Microscopy-Based Taxol Concentration Classification (2024–2025)

  • Developed and released a dataset of high-resolution phase-contrast images of C6 glioma cells exposed to multiple Taxol concentrations (arxiv.org).
  • Designed a ResNet-50 baseline model with CBAM modules, embedding projection, and k-NN classification.
  • Achieved peak accuracy of 75% and macro F1 score of 0.751, outperforming ResNet and CBAM-fully connected baselines.

CLEF 2023 SimpleText — Task 1 (2023)

  • Publication Link
  • Developed a multilingual retrieval system with keyword-based methods and web scraping (class version).
  • Extended to neural rerankers with Reciprocal Rank Fusion for publication submission.

arXiv Metadata Database (Fall 2023)

  • GitHub Repo
  • Scraped and cleaned metadata from arXiv using BeautifulSoup.
  • Designed ER diagrams and implemented a normalized database in SQLite.

Diabetes Prediction Pipeline (Fall 2023)

  • Built an end-to-end predictive workflow using NHANES data.
  • Applied data cleaning, visualization, and feature engineering in pandas and seaborn.
  • Trained and evaluated models using scikit-learn.

Syllable Counter (2020)

  • Interactive tool to count syllables in words and phrases.
  • Combined Python string methods with phonetic rules to estimate syllable counts.
  • Deployed backend on AWS Lambda with a GitHub-hosted frontend.

Haiku Generator (2020)

  • Automated poetry generator that composes haikus from user-provided prompts.
  • Integrated Datamuse API, the Syllable Counter, and hard coded English syntax rules.
  • Deployed with AWS Lambda backend and GitHub-hosted frontend.

Education

M.S. Computer Science, University of Southern Maine, Expected 2026
GPA: 3.8 | Focus: Deep Learning, NLP, Computer Vision, Database Systems
Relevant Coursework: Deep Learning (neural networks, embeddings, optimization), Natural Language Processing (text mining, transformers), Database Systems (SQL, ER design, data modeling), Machine Learning (supervised/unsupervised learning, feature engineering, model evaluation), Computer Vision (image classification, attention models, interpretability)
Data Science Skills: Data preprocessing, exploratory data analysis (EDA), statistical modeling, data visualization, reproducible pipelines

B.A. Linguistics with Honors, University of Southern Maine, 2014
Minors: Spanish, Deaf Studies | GPA: 3.75

Additional Coursework
Data Structures, University of Southern Maine, Spring 2022 — Grade: A

Self-Directed Study, Codecademy, StackOverflow, 2019 – Present
Independent learning in Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and software development practices


Experience

Graduate Researcher, University of Southern Maine, 2023 – Present

  • Conduct research in computational pathology, applying deep learning and computer vision to microscopy datasets.
  • Co-authored peer-reviewed publications at CLEF 2023 and FMLDS 2025, focusing on dataset creation, neural architectures, and model interpretability.
  • Developed reproducible pipelines in PyTorch, integrated CBAM modules into CNNs, and evaluated models with embedding-based metrics.
  • Collaborated closely with Professors Xin Zhang and Behrooz Mansouri on research design, analysis, and publication writing.

Stay-at-Home Parent, Fletcher/Nghiem Family, October 2020 – Present

  • Balanced caregiving responsibilities with graduate-level coursework and research productivity.
  • Built strong organizational, multitasking, and systems-level time management skills applicable to academic and professional projects.

Staff Interpreter, Pine Tree Society Interpreting Services, March 2017 – October 2020

  • Facilitated communication across diverse professional, medical, and educational contexts using accessible and jargon-free language.
  • Designed and delivered workshops preparing interpreters for national certification exams.
  • Collaborated with teams in high-stakes, multi-stage interpreting assignments, including medical and surgical settings.

Freelance American Sign Language Interpreter, July 2015 – March 2017

  • Contracted with multiple agencies across Maine to interpret in varied community and professional settings.
  • Maintained compliance with the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct.

Recording Secretary, Maine Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, July 2015 – July 2017

  • Managed organizational information systems using G Suite tools; provided training for diverse board members.
  • Contributed to workshop planning, offering continuing education for the interpreting and Deaf communities.

Disability Rights Advocate, Disability Rights Maine Deaf Services, April 2016 – June 2016

  • Temporary role covering for an advocate on maternity leave; supported Deaf clients facing discrimination and systemic barriers in employment and social services.

Direct Support Professional, Goodwill Industries NNE, July 2014 – November 2016

  • Supported daily living and personal development for Deaf adults with intellectual disabilities.

Certified Tutor, University of Southern Maine, January 2012 – May 2014

  • Tutored English and Linguistics for multilingual students, refugees, and international scholars.

Skills & Languages

Proficient in programming, data science tools, and multilingual communication.


Programming & Data

  • Python — Pandas, NumPy, PyTorch, scikit-learn, Matplotlib, Seaborn
  • SQL & SQLite — schema design, queries, optimization
  • Java — object-oriented programming and algorithms
  • JavaScript, HTML/CSS — web development basics
  • Regex, Bash — automation, scripting, data preprocessing
  • Git/GitHub — version control, collaboration

Human Languages

  • American Sign Language — Fluent
  • Spanish — Conversational/Academic
  • Vietnamese — Beginner

Certifications/Licenses

  • Maine State ASL Interpreter License, (EXPIRED)
  • New Hampshire Interpreter Classification System, Licensed, (EXPIRED)
  • NIC Written, Passed May ‘15
  • EIPA Written, Passed Nov ’14
  • EIPA Performance, June ’16 (3.5)
  • SSP for duel sensory impairment (Jan ’16)
  • TESOL Certified by World Learning SIT
  • CRLA Tutor Training Program: Certified Tutor

Career Development

  • CALI Atypical Language Among Diverse Populations (1CEU) remote 2021
  • CALI An Introduction to Atypical Language: Contributing Factors (1 CEU) remote 2021
  • Practitioner Tune-Up: Tools for Work Analysis and Reflective Practice (2.1 CEU) MA 2017
  • ASL Immersion Weekend (1.3 CEU) ME 2016
  • Foundations of Interpreting V/VI (2 CEU) ME 2016
  • Trends in Working with the Deaf Blind (1 CEU) ME 2015
  • Foundations of Interpreting III/IV (2 CEU) ME 2015
  • Foundations of Interpreting II (1.2 CEU) ME 2014
  • Foundations of Interpreting I (1.2 CEU) ME 2014
  • ASL and Spanish Immersion Program (2.675 CEU) PR 2013