Rafael Ramírez-Meléndez

• Music technology
• Artificial Inteligence
• Machine Learning
• Applied Neuroscience
• Technology-Enhanced Music Learning
• Accessible Music Interfaces
• Music for Health and Well-being

Dr. Rafael Ramirez is Tenured Associate Professor and Leader of the Music and Machine Learning Lab at the Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona. He obtained his BSc in Mathematics form the National Autonomous University of Mexico, his MSc in Artificial Intelligence and PhD in Computer Science from the University of Bristol, UK. He studied Classical Violin and Guitar at the National School of Music in Mexico, he has performed thoroughly in Europe, America and Asia. For five years, Dr. Ramirez was Lecturer in the National University of Singapore, Singapore. His current research interests include music technology, music therapy, artificial intelligence, neuroscience and their application to music learning, health and well-being. In particular, he has conducted research on modeling music listening, playing and learning using machine learning techniques, as well as on the impact of music as a therapeutic tool in autism, emotional disorders, palliative care, cerebral palsy, and stroke. He has published more than 120 research articles in peer-reviewed international Journals and Conferences, and acted as guest-editor of several special issues focused on music and artificial intelligence.

Selected Publications

• Dalmazzo D and Ramírez R (2019) Bowing Gestures Classification in Violin Performance: A Machine Learning Approach. Front. Psychol. 10:344. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00344
• Giraldo S, Waddell G, Nou I, Ortega A, Mayor O, Perez A, Williamon A and Ramirez R (2019) Automatic Assessment of Tone Quality in Violin Music Performance. Front. Psychol. 10:334. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00334
• Ortega FJM, Giraldo SI, Perez A and Ramírez R (2019) Phrase-Level Modeling of Expression in Violin Performances. Front. Psychol. 10:776. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00776
• Ramirez R, Planas J, Escude N, Mercade J and Farriols C (2018) EEG-Based Analysis of the Emotional Effect of Music Therapy on Palliative Care Cancer Patients. Front. Psychol. 9:254. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00254
• M. Beardsley  D. Hernández‐Leo  R. Ramirez‐Melendez (2018), Seeking reproducibility: Assessing a multimodal study of the testing effect, Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, DOI: 10.1111/jcal.12265
• José M. Iñesta, Darrell Conklin & Rafael Ramírez (2016) Machine learning and music generation, Journal of Mathematics and Music, 10:2, 87-91, DOI: 10.1080/17459737.2016.1216369
• Katerina Kosta, Rafael Ramírez, Oscar F. Bandtlow & Elaine Chew (2016) Mapping between dynamic markings and performed loudness: a machine learning approach, Journal of Mathematics and Music, 10:2, 149-172, DOI: 10.1080/17459737.2016.1193237
• Vamvakousis, Z., and Ramirez, R. (2016). The EyeHarp: A Gaze-Controlled Digital Musical Instrument for people with severe motor disabilities. Front. Psychol. 7. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00906.
• Giraldo, S., Ramirez, R. (2016). A machine learning approach to ornamentation modeling and synthesis in jazz guitar. Journal of Mathematics and Music, doi: 10.1080/17459737.2016.1207814. 
• Giraldo, S., Ramirez, R. (2016). A Machine Learning Approach to Discover Rules for Expressive Performance Actions in Jazz Guitar Music. Front. Psychol.
• Ramirez R, Palencia-Lefler M, Giraldo S and Vamvakousis Z (2015) Musical neurofeedback for treating depression in elderly people. Front. Neurosci. 9:354. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00354