Ashlae Blum'e

ashlaeblume [at] gmail.com

About Me

Audiophile, software developer, and data science researcher working at the intersection of digital signal processing, bioacoustics, and artificial intelligence. Currently working towards vocal inpiduality of avian species for applications in conservation ecology.

Education

Data Science, PhD · Wellington, New Zealand · current

Bioacoustics, MS · Universite Jean Monnet · Saint-Etienne, France · 2025

Unreal Connectors · Studio Arts · Los Angeles, CA, USA · 2023

Sonic Arts, MFA · City University of New York, Brooklyn College · New York, NY, United States · 2021

Applied & Engineering Physics, BS · Cornell University · New York, United States · 2008

Skills & Interests

Recent Projects

YAAAT! Yet Another Audio Annotation Tool – Interactive audio visualization software for annotation and playback. https://pypi.org/project/yaaat/

Jellyfish Dynamite – Browser-based paginated visualization workflow for collaborative validation of audio annotations. https://github.com/laelume/jellyfish_dynamite/

Pysoniq – Minimalistic and portable audio wrapper library. https://pypi.org/project/pysoniq/

Time Warp Synchronizer – Multi-timezone scheduling overlap widget. https://laelume.neocities.org/timewarp-sync/

Experience

Bioacoustics Research Internship · Hokkaido University · Remote · 2025 · Evaluated avian communications using signal processing, deep learning, and statistical workflows. Built custom algorithms to assess individuality of vocal signatures in Java Sparrows.

Ecoacoustics Research Project · Universite Jean Monnet · St-Etienne, France · 2024 · Evaluated animal communication from ecoacoustic recordings using perse computational tools. Proposed a "Vocorespiratory Theory of Thermodynamic Efficiency." Determined temporal characteristics and circadian rhythms of hippopotamus vocalizations. Used clustering and deep learning approaches to assess biodiversity.

Audio Software Design · 2018 – current · Algorithmic and statistical workflows for audio analysis using Python. Developed software for live performance, generative sound design, game design in Unreal, Unity, Pico-8, and musical sequencing using Python and FoxDot. Presented research at IRCAM, Paris, 2020.

Audio Engineer · Eurofins · Los Angeles, CA, USA · 2023 · Edited and annotated audio for films and series on major networks. Worked with multichannel arrays, ProTools, and other professional audio software.

Electrical Engineer · SoundHard · New Orleans, LA, USA · 2022 · Built and repaired wireless and wired audio electronics for professional and scientific applications in the film industry.

Audio Engineer · Siberia · New Orleans, LA, USA · 2022 – 2023 · Console engineer for live music performances.

Signal Processing Deep Learning Internship · Fermilab · Urbana-Champlain, IL, USA · 20222 · Assessed low-level approaches in audio information analysis to perform anomalous sound detection over distributed hardware. Developed percussive input feature set and used TinyML.

Adjunct Professor · Ramapo College · Ramapo, NJ, USA · Designed curriculum and taught course in creative audio programming.

Adjunct Professor · Tulane University · New Orleans, LA, USA · 2021 – 2022 · Designed curricula and taught courses in electronic music composition and history.

Coding Residency · Recurse Center · Brooklyn, NY, USA · 2020 · Designed experimental software using Python. Wrote compilers to parse and translate musical patterns between FoxDot and TidalCycles. Designed mini-games using Pico-8 and procedural compositions in Python.

Polymedia Sound Research · Brooklyn College · Brooklyn, NY, USA · 2019 · Designed immersive multimedia sound installation “Lava Pearls.” Built speakers, cones, electronics, and resonant sculptures, and hosted an immersive experience event.