December 2024 - Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Daniel Messinger speaking on December 12 in Developing Minds global online lecture series

by Jochen Triesch

Dear colleagues, On December 12, the Developing Minds global online lecture series is proud to host Daniel Messinger, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Florida, United States, USA, speaking on: "Does Interaction Drive Development? Lessons from infant emotion, autism, and preschool language“ Thursday, December 12, 2024 9:00 am EST (Eastern Standard Time, US) 14:00 UTC (Universal Coordinated Time) 15:00 CET (Central European Time) 23:00 JST (Japan Standard Time) The zoom link/credentials are: https://uni-frankfurt.zoom-x.de/j/66558045290?pwd=Ien7tEzqeNGOdqHi7zKg4EJuY… Meeting-ID: 665 5804 5290 Kenncode: 753667 Abstract: A dynamic systems perspective suggests that developmental achievements are composed of a progression of real-time interactions. But evidence supporting this surmise is not common. Dr. Messinger employs machine learning of audio, video, and ultrawideband signals in naturalistic contexts to highlight the role of individual and interactive dynamics in constituting developmental outcomes. He will discuss a series of salient examples linking the emergence of interactive competencies with developmental outcomes. These include the emergence of interactive smiling and attachment, as well as the emergence of autism and preschool language competencies. Dr. Messinger will conclude with a discussion of the strengths and limitations of current empirical research linked to dynamic systems and developmental cascades perspectives. Short Bio: Dr. Daniel Messinger is a professor and Director of the Child Division in the Department of Psychology at the University of Miami where he is the Director of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Program at the Institute for Data Science and Computing. He employs computational approaches to big behavioral data to understand the interactive origins of social, language, and emotional development. His research focuses on social and communicative development in typically developing children, children with hearing loss, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and children whose communicative development is affected by prenatal drug exposure and poverty. The talk will be recorded and made available for later viewing. For more information on the talk series and recordings of previous events, please visit: https://sites.google.com/view/developing-minds-series/home Best regards, Jochen Triesch -- Prof. Dr. Jochen Triesch Johanna Quandt Chair for Theoretical Life Sciences Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies and Goethe University Frankfurt http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/~triesch/ Tel: +49 (0)69 798-47531 Fax: +49 (0)69 798-47611

Dec. 6, 2024

Women in Memory Research 2025 - WiMR2025

by Vinita Samarasinghe

*Women in Memory Research 2025* The research unit “Constructing scenarios of the past” seeks to promote women in memory research. The program WiMR 2025 is made possible through a grant from the German Research Foundation (DFG) and collaboration with the Ruhr University Bochum. Come and learn what an academic career looks likeand discover its advantages. During your week at the Ruhr University Bochum (RUB)you will participate in GEM 2025 where you will hear about the latest research in generative episodic memory, be given the opportunityto present your research and meet with female scientists from the field. Before and after GEM you'll be introduced to Bochum, the RUB and the FOR 2812 labs <https://for2812.rub.de/projects/>. Our participating senior scientists include: Ali Boyle, London School of Economics; Iris Engelhard, Utrecht University; Xenia Kobeleva, Ruhr U. Bochum; Sabine Seehagen, Ruhr U. Bochum; Kristina Liefke, Ruhr U. Bochum. Sounds exciting? *Who can apply:* Womenmasters students in their final year of study and recently graduated masters students who are looking into an academic career in the area of memory research/neuroscience. Applicants must have excellent grades and be able to communicate in English. Selection of participants is competitive. We only have 12 spots! *How to apply:* Send your application including a one page letter of motivation, a current CV, masters transcripts and a letter of recommendation from one of your professors. Your application should be sent, as a single PDF document, to Vinita Samarasinghe @ for2812+gem(a)rub.de <mailto:for2812@rub.de> by February 15, 2025 with the subject line "WiMR - application". If you need child care or any other support please note this in your application. Applications will be evaluated and ranked after the deadline has passed and notifications will be sent out by 28.02.2025. If you accept, you must register for GEM 2025. *What to expect from us:* We will provide bed and breakfast (single occupancy), cover travel costs (restrictions apply) and provide some meals. The program is offered in English. *What we expect from you:* You are present for all of the program and that you present your current research in the form of a poster at GEM 2025. *Tentative program: * 02.06.2025 AM Welcome to Bochum PM GEM 2025 03.06.2025 GEM 2025 04.06.2025 AM GEM 2025 PM Fireside chat with senior memory researchers 05.06.2025 Lab visits 06.06.2025 Workshop *Questions? * Visit our website at https://for2812.rub.de/wimr2025 for more information. Please feel free to get in touch with Vinita Samarasinghe (for2812(a)rub.de <mailto:for2812@rub.de>) if you have any questions. -- Vinita Samarasinghe M.Sc., M.A. Science Manager Arbeitsgruppe Computational Neuroscience Institut für Neuroinformatik Ruhr-Universität Bochum, NB 3/73 Postfachnummer 110 Universitätstr. 150 D-44801 Bochum Tel: +49 (0)234 32 27996 Email:samarasinghe@ini.rub.de

Dec. 4, 2024

PhD Opportunity at the University of Bristol: Investigation of traumatic memory processing during sleep using through advance machine learning

by Eleonora Russo

The University of Bristol is pleased to offer a fully-funded PhD position to study the processing of traumatic memories during sleep using advanced machine learning techniques. The successful candidate will be supervised by an interdisciplinary team of experimental and computational neuroscientists, including Dr. Ross Purple, Dr. Sean Froudist-Walsh, and Dr. Eleonora Russo. This project will also involve collaboration with the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy. Application deadline is 4pm Monday 6th January 2025. Find more information at: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/funded-phd-decoding-the-processing-of… For enquiries, please contact: Dr Ross Purple https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/ross-j-purple Dr. Eleonora Russo https://www.santannapisa.it/en/eleonora-russo Dr Sean Froudist-Walsh https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/sean-froudist-walsh --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eleonora Russo, Ph.D. PI of the Brain Dynamics Laboratory Assistant Professor at Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, The BioRobotics Institute, P.za Martiri della Liberta', 33 56127 Pisa, Italy

Dec. 3, 2024

Seizure detection challenge (2025)

by Jonathan Dan

Hello, EPFL is organizing a competition in collaboration with the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders. The competition aims to develop epileptic seizure detection algorithms for assisting in the analysis of scalp electroencephalography. It is open to anyone with skills in machine learning and artificial intelligence. This competition should help identify algorithms well suited for hospital adoption while simultaneously pushing for open and reproducible science. You will find a description of the competition on https://epilepsybenchmarks.com/challenge Hurry up! We are expecting algorithm submissions by 16 February 2025. Happy hacking Jonathan Dan Post-Doc ESL-EPFL

Dec. 3, 2024

Postdoc and PhD call | Spatiotemporal dynamics and computation in cortical networks

by Lyle Muller

Postdoctoral and graduate research positions are available at Western University<http://mullerlab.ca/> (London, ON) and the Fields Lab for Network Science<http://www.fields.utoronto.ca/activities/fields-lab-network-science> (Toronto, ON). These positions will be supervised by Lyle Muller and involve collaborations with advanced methods of brain imaging (Mark Schnitzer, Stanford), neuroengineering (Duygu Kuzum, UCSD), theoretical neuroscience (Todd Coleman, Stanford), and neurophysiology of visual perception (John Reynolds, Salk Institute for Biological Studies). In collaboration with this multi-disciplinary team, researchers will bring together data science, computational science, and applied mathematics to understand spatiotemporal dynamics and computation in the circuits of neocortex. The project may include intermittent travel between labs to present results and facilitate collaborative work. Recent publications from the lab include: * Davis Z*, Muller L*, Martinez-Trujillo J, Sejnowski TJ, Reynolds J (2020) Spontaneous traveling cortical waves gate perception in awake behaving primates. Nature 587: 432 – 436.<https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2802-y> * Benigno G, Budzinski RC, Davis Z, Reynolds J, Muller L (2023) Waves traveling over a map of visual space can ignite short-term predictions of sensory input. Nature Communications 14: 3409. <https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39076-2> * Liboni L*, Budzinski RC*, Busch AN*, Löwe S, Keller TA, Welling M, Muller L (2023) Image segmentation with traveling waves in an exactly solvable recurrent neural network. arXiv:2311.16943.<https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.16943> * Busch A*, Roussy M*, … Mináč J, Sachs AJ, Palaniyappan L, Muller L*, Martinez-Trujillo JC* (2024) Neuronal activation sequences in lateral prefrontal cortex encode visuospatial working memory during virtual navigation. Nature Communications 15: 4471.<https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-48664-9> * Budzinski RC*, Busch A*, Mestern S, Martin E, Liboni LHB, Pasini FW, Mináč J, Coleman T, Inoue W, Muller L (2024) An exact mathematical description of computation with transient spatiotemporal dynamics in a complex-valued neural network. Communications Physics 7: 239.<https://www.nature.com/articles/s42005-024-01728-0> Prior experience with scientific computing, signal analysis, and applied mathematics is preferred. Western University offers an excellent research environment and support. Candidates can write to lmuller2(a)uwo.ca<mailto:lmuller2@uwo.ca> with a CV and short statement of interest. Both the lab and the University are deeply committed to fostering diversity and scientific outreach. Applications from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged, and any interested applicants are welcomed to write the PI directly with questions about the research environment. -- Lyle Muller http://mullerlab.ca

Dec. 2, 2024

Permanent position in mathematical stochastic modeling of neuromodulation

by Axel Hutt

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Permanent position in mathematical stochastic modeling of neuromodulation in brain networks and application to mental disorders ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The new research team NECTARINE at INRIA in Strasbourg / France aims to create a synergy between clinicians and mathematical researchers to develop new healthcare technologies. The team works on stochastic microscopic network models to describe macroscopic experimental data, such as behavior and/or encephalographic. They collaborate closely with clinicians and choose their research focus along the clinical applications. Major scientific objectives are stochastic multi-scale simulations and mean-field descriptions of neural activity on the macroscopic scale. Moreover, merging experimental data and numerical models by machine learning techniques is an additional objective. The team's clinical research focuses on neuromodulation of patients suffering from deficits in attention and temporal prediction. The team offers the possibility to apply for a permanent position as Chargé de Recherche (CR) or Directeur de Recherche (DR) in the research field of mathematical neuroscience with a strong focus on stochastic dynamics linking brain network modelling with experimental data. The new colleague should have a strong expertise in mathematical modeling with a focus on stochastic nonlinear dynamics and/or network dynamics, as well as strong interest in clinical applications. Strong programming skills are mandatory. INRIA is a French National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology ( [ https://www.inria.fr/en | https://www.inria.fr/en ] ) with 9 research centres in France. The new team will be located in the centre of Strasbourg on the hospital campus as part of the Research Centre in Nancy. The application deadline will be January 15, 2025 , but it is strongly recommended to contact us well in advance. For more details or sending your application documents (motivation letter, CV including publication list), please contact Dr. Axel Hutt (email: axel.hutt(a)inria.fr ) . -- Axel Hutt Directeur de Recherche Equipe MIMESIS INRIA Nancy Grand Est Bâtiment IHU 1, Place de l'Hopital 67000 Strasbourg, France [ https://mimesis.inria.fr/members/axel-hutt/ | https://mimesis.inria.fr/members/axel-hutt/ ]

Dec. 2, 2024

Postdoctral position at the Department of Biomedical Data Science, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University (FHU), Aichi, Japan

by 浦久保秀俊

We invite applications for an enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher in the area of computational neuroscience or systems biology. A new collaborative project with Kyushu U (#) has been launched to elucidate biochemical signaling involved in the development of the olfactory system. We are working on a project to simulate how neural circuits in the brain acquire function through development. As an example, we are focusing on the process of mitral cell dendritic pruning that leads to the acquisition of odor selectivity (Fujimoto 2023, Dev Cell 58, 1221–1236). This process is governed by the coupling of biochemical signaling of small G proteins and neuronal electrical activity. In addition, the neural circuit simulation will be performed to elucidate the emergent process of odor information processing. The NEURON simulator or other platform simulators will be useful for this project. (#) Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas(A), Japan Society of the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Japan. https://plaza.umin.ac.jp/dynamic-brain/en/ 1. Job title Full-time Postdoctoral Researcher 2. Begin date January 1st 2025 or later (negotiable) 3. Appointment period Annually renewed based on evaluation. Up to March/2029. 4. Workplace Fujita Health University (FHU), Aichi, Japan https://www.fujita-hu.ac.jp/en/ 1-98 Dengakugakubo, Kutsukake-cho, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan 5. Qualifications Applicants must: - have Ph.D. (or be near the completion of the degree). - have strong motivations and ambitions to participate in the research above. 6. Compensation Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Social insurance will be applied. Days off include public holidays, New Year's holidays (Dec. 29 - Jan 3), summer vacation, and sick leave. These and other provisions are in accordance with FHU regulations. 7. Required documents Please send the following five materials to the email address below: 1. Complete CV 2. List of publications 3. Reprints of 1 to 3 major publications 4. Document (one or two pages in A4 or letter size) describing: - Summary of your previous research and current interest. - Relevance to the project research and potential contributions. Describe your skills in neuronal and neural circuit simulations and their relevance to Fujimoto 2023 (Dev Cell 58, 1221-1236). - Technical skills (programming skills, etc). 5. One letter of recommendation, if available, from the current supervisor. 8. Selection Selection will be made based on application screening and interviews. 9. Others No smoking allowed on the premises of FHU. 10. Application and Contact Hidetoshi Urakubo, Ph.D. Email: hidetoshi.urakubo(a)fujita-hu.ac.jp Department of Biomedical Data Science, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University (FHU), 1-98 Dengakugakubo, Kutsukake-cho, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan Phone: +81-562-93-9628 https://researchmap.jp/urakubo?lang=en https://www.fujita-hu.ac.jp/~datascience/

Dec. 2, 2024

Fully funded 3-year PhD scholarships in computational neuroscience, neurotechnology and AI available

by Wong-Lin, Kongfatt

============================================================== Professor KongFatt Wong-Lin has several fully funded 3-year PhD research scholarships in computational neuroscience, neurotechnology and AI available. He is the lead/main supervisor for two of the available PhD scholarships on bridging fundamental cognitive computational neuroscience of decision-making and learning to brain-inspired AI algorithms. Applications are available from 2nd December 2024 at: * https://www.ulster.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/find-a-phd/11b-intelligent-systems… [Open to international or UK/Ireland applicants; deadline: 24th February 2025] * https://www.ulster.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/find-a-phd/11b-intelligent-systems… [Open to international or UK/Ireland applicants; deadline: 24th February 2025] Two other PhD scholarships are also available on neurotechnology and machine learning: * https://www.ulster.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/find-a-phd/11b-intelligent-systems… [Open to international or UK/Ireland applicants; deadline: 24th February 2025] * https://www.ulster.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/find-a-phd/11b-intelligent-systems… [Open only to UK/Ireland applicants; deadline 9th Jan 2025] Please kindly direct any queries to Prof. Wong-Lin (k.wong-lin(a)ulster.ac.uk) Many thanks. The research teams involved in the PhD projects: * https://www.ulster.ac.uk/research/topic/computer-science/intelligent-system… * https://www.ulster.ac.uk/research/topic/computer-science/intelligent-system… Our School and its Intelligent Systems Research Centre (https://www.ulster.ac.uk/research/topic/computer-science/intelligent-system…) have neuroscience and AI related research communities and facilities in: * NeuroAI and computational neuroscience * Brain-computer interfaces/non-invasive neurotech * MEG and EEG brain imaging * Neuromorphic computing * Cognitive robotics * High-performance computing ----------------- In 2021, Ulster University was, in the UK: * ranked 2nd for Ph.D. researcher satisfaction * 6th largest Computer Science and Informatics unit * 7th for world-leading or internationally excellent research and impact with respect to staff number. Derry~Londonderry is a vibrant, friendly and affordable city with ~100K people with high quality of life, close to stunning coastline and outdoor activities in the north and north-west of Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. Ulster University has recently been awarded by Times Higher Education as the 'University of the Year 2024', the top higher education institution in the UK and Ireland. ============================================================== Professor KongFatt Wong-Lin Intelligent Systems Research Centre School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems Ulster University, Derry~Londonderry, UK E-mail: k.wong-lin(a)ulster.ac.uk Web: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/staff/k-wong-lin This email and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information which is covered by legal, professional or other privilege. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager at postmaster(a)ulster.ac.uk and delete this email immediately. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ulster University. The University's computer systems may be monitored and communications carried out on them may be recorded to secure the effective operation of the system and for other lawful purposes. Ulster University does not guarantee that this email or any attachments are free from viruses or 100% secure. Unless expressly stated in the body of a separate attachment, the text of email is not intended to form a binding contract. Correspondence to and from the University may be subject to requests for disclosure by 3rd parties under relevant legislation. The Ulster University was founded by Royal Charter in 1984 and is registered with company number RC000726 and VAT registered number GB672390524.The primary contact address for Ulster University in Northern Ireland is Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry BT52 1SA

Dec. 1, 2024

World wide VVTNS series: Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 11:00 am EST| Laura Driscoll Allen Institute

by David Hansel

[image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online <https://streaklinks.com/A9c7PbbpKY7PxB6PaAJWGD3-/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwtns.on…> - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide You are cordially invited to the lecture given by Laura Driscoll Allen Institute on the topic of Task structure shapes underlying dynamical systems that implement computation The lecture will be held on zoom on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at *11:00 am EST * To receive the zoom link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page *Abstract: *The talk will be in two parts. 1) First, I will present published work on multitasking artificial recurrent neural networks that revealed "dynamical motifs". Dynamical motifs are recurring patterns of network activity that implement specific computations through dynamics, such as attractors, decision boundaries and rotations. Motifs are reused across tasks and reflect the modular subtask structure of commonly studied cognitive tasks. We believe this compositional structure to be a feature of most complex cognitive tasks. This work establishes dynamical motifs as a fundamental unit of compositional computation, intermediate between neuron and network. 2) Building on these insights, we are now investigating whether shared dynamical motifs can explain the effectiveness of curriculum learning in animal behavior. Also known as animal shaping, curriculum learning is a training approach where complex tasks are learned in stages through a series of subtasks. Our work provides a novel framework for analysis of neural and behavioral data and has the potential to guide the design of optimal training protocols for both artificial systems and for animals. *About VVTNS : Launched as the World Wide Theoretical Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.* ᐧ

Dec. 1, 2024