Main
Daniel Vartanian
I’m a researcher at the University of São Paulo working on complex systems modeling and data science. My research focuses on agent-based models, geospatial analysis, and computational approaches to social and public health challenges.
I develop open-source research software, primarily in R, Python, and NetLogo. My tools are used by researchers studying chronobiology, food security, and climate impacts on health systems.
Outside research, I’m involved in building scientific communities and contributing to open-source projects through rOpenSci and the NetLogo ecosystem.
Research Experience
Research Fellow
Center for Metropolitan Studies (FFLCH-USP)
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Present - 2025
- Lead geospatial modeling and large-scale data mining on the FAPESP-funded AcessoSAN project, investigating healthy food access in favelas and low-income urban communities across Brazil.
- Built reproducible R and Quarto pipelines to process and analyze millions of records from SISVAN, Brazilian Revenue Service, DATASUS, IBGE Census, and climate datasets like WorldClim 2.1 and Mapbiomas.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of nutritionists, sociologists, health professionals, and engineers across multiple USP departments.
Research Fellow
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
2025 - 2024
- Led agent-based modeling on the CNPq-funded Global Syndemic project investigating climate change effects on child nutrition and health in Brazil.
- Developed NetLogo models simulating food production systems and nutritional outcomes in children under 5, using climate projections from Global Climate Models and IBGE data.
- Created the logolink R package to provide analytical infrastructure for NetLogo simulations.
- Produced research papers (submitted), reproducible analysis pipelines, and technical reports for cross-institutional teams of health researchers and climate scientists from USP and the RESICLIMA Network.
Graduate Research Fellow
University of São Paulo (USP)
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
2025 - 2022
- Developed nested linear models investigating the relationship between human chronotype and latitude using Brazil’s largest chronotype dataset (n=115,166).
- Created the mctq R package (published on CRAN, peer-reviewed by rOpenSci) for processing chronotype questionnaires.
- Built reproducible analysis pipelines in R and Quarto for statistical modeling and data processing.
- Completed master’s thesis on chronotype and latitude relationships.
Assistant Research Fellow
University of São Paulo (USP)
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
2022 - 2019
- Developed actigraphy monitoring protocols and analytical models for circadian rhythm assessment using non-parametric methods, cosinor analysis, periodograms, and actogram visualizations.
- Created the actverse R package providing tools for actigraphy data analysis.
- Co-authored the first Brazilian Actigraphy Consensus and delivered training workshops to 60+ researchers, including a launch workshop at the 18th Brazilian Sleep Congress.
- Contributed to USP’s Sleep Genetics project investigating associations between chronotype and clock genes using actigraphy and genetic data from saliva samples across multi-centric cohorts in São Paulo and Baependi, Minas Gerais.
Undergraduate Research Fellow
University of São Paulo (USP)
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
2019 - 2016
- Provided statistical modeling and data analysis support for circadian rhythm and sleep research projects.
- Served as head of marketing and communications for USP’s Interdisciplinary Sleep Research Group (GIPSO), securing media coverage in major Brazilian outlets like Folha de São Paulo and TV Globo’s Fantástico.
- Co-developed sleep science courses through EACH-USP’s summer program and the Coursera platform.
Education
MSc, Complex Systems Modeling
University of São Paulo (USP)
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
2025 - 2022
- Focus on agent-based and computational modeling of complex social and environmental systems.
- Founded USP’s Agent-Based Modeling Study Group.
- Thesis: danielvartan.github.io/mastersthesis
BSc, Marketing
University of São Paulo (USP)
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
2022 - 2016
- Final grade: 7.7/10 (23rd/66)
- Strong quantitative foundation in calculus, statistics, and finance.
- Co-founded EACH-USP’s Wellness and Health Commission.
Teaching Experience
An Introduction to the R Programming Language
University of São Paulo (USP)
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
2026 - 2025
Technical High School Program in Administration
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
2024
- Taught mathematics to approximately 100 students across two public high schools in São Paulo State’s technical education program.
Introductory Course on Actigraphy
18th Brazilian Sleep Congress
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
2021
- Co-delivered actigraphy training workshop accompanying the launch of the Brazilian Actigraphy Consensus.
- Trained approximately 40 sleep researchers and health professionals.
Affiliations
Center for Metropolitan Studies
Researcher (2025-Present)
RESICLIMA Network
Researcher (2024-Present)
Sustentarea
Researcher (2024-Present)
rOpenSci
Software Developer (2021-Present)
Interdisciplinary Sleep Research Group (GIPSO)
Researcher (2016-2022)
Languages
English
Fluent
Fluent
Fluent
Fluent
Portuguese
Native
Native
Native
Native
Spanish
Proficient
Proficient
Intermediate
Intermediate
French
Beginner
Beginner
Beginner
Beginner
Selected Publications
Is Latitude Associated with Chronotype?
University of São Paulo (USP)
N/A
2025
Vartanian, D. (2025). Is latitude associated with chronotype? [Master’s thesis, University of São Paulo]. https://doi.org/10.11606/D.100.2025.tde-02042025-063648
Actigraphic Characterization of Sleep and Circadian Phenotypes of PER3 Gene VNTR Genotypes
Chronobiology International
N/A
2023
Viana-Mendes, J., Benedito-Silva, A. A., Andrade, M. A. M., Vartanian, D., Gonçalves, B. da S. B., Cipolla-Neto, J., & Pedrazzoli, M. (2023). Actigraphic characterization of sleep and circadian phenotypes of PER3 gene VNTR genotypes. Chronobiology International, 40(9), 1244–1250. https://doi.org/10.1080/07420528.2023.2256858
Brazilian Actigraphy Consensus
Segmento Farma Editores
N/A
2021
Pedrazzoli, M., & Gonçalves, B. S. B. (Eds.) (with Benedito-Silva, A. A., Toscanini, A. C., Souza, A. P. P. B., Conway, B. A., Vartanian, D., Santos, E. H. R., Pires, M. L. N., & Leocadio-Miguel, M. A.). (2021). Consenso brasileiro de actigrafia [Brazilian actigraphy consensus]. Segmento Farma Editores. ISBN 978-65-992059-6-5.
Early Chronotype with Advanced Activity Rhythms and Dim Light Melatonin Onset in a Rural Population
Journal of Pineal Research
N/A
2020
Ruiz, F. S., Beijamini, F., Beale, A. D., Gonçalves, B. D. S. B., Vartanian, D., Taporoski, T. P., Middleton, B., Krieger, J. E., Vallada, H., Arendt, J., Pereira, A. C., Knutson, K. L., Pedrazzoli, M., & Von Schantz, M. (2020). Early chronotype with advanced activity rhythms and dim light melatonin onset in a rural population. Journal of Pineal Research, 69(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/jpi.12675
Selected Software Projects
logolink
Creator and Maintainer
CRAN
2025
R package providing a tidy interface between R and NetLogo.
- Published on CRAN (1,200+ downloads).
- Currently under peer review by rOpenSci.
LogoClim
Creator and Maintainer
CoMSES Net
2025
NetLogo model developed to simulate and visualize climate conditions using data from WorldClim 2.1.
- Published on CoMSES Net.
- Currently under peer review in JOSS (2025).
actverse
Creator and Maintainer
GitHub
2023
R package providing a tidy toolbox for actigraphy data analysis.
Selected Outreach Projects
Interdisciplinary Brazilian Symposium on Agent-Based Models (SIMBRA)
University of São Paulo (USP)
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Present - 2025
Co-founded SIMBRA as an extension of USP’s Agent-Based Modeling Study Group to provide a national platform for researchers and students across disciplines to discuss and disseminate agent-based modeling approaches.
Durma na EACH (Sleep at EACH)
University of São Paulo (USP)
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
2018 - 2017
Created sleep and rest spaces for students at EACH-USP with plans for expansion to São Paulo public schools.