January 2025 - Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

World wide VVTNS series: Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 11:00 am EST| Dmitry Krotov, IBM Research, Cambridge, USA
by David Hansel Jan. 5, 2025

Jan. 5, 2025

[image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online <https://streaklinks.com/A9c7PbbpKY7PxB6PaAJWGD3-/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwtns.on…> - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide VVTNS 2025 Opening Lecture & 2024 Nobel prize in Physics celebration You are cordially invited to the lecture given by Dmitry Krotov IBM Research, Cambridge USA on the topic of Dense associative memory and its potential role in brain computation The lecture will be held on zoom on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at *11:00 am EST * To receive the zoom link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page *Abstract: * Dense Associative Memories (Dense AMs) are energy-based neural networks that share many desirable features of celebrated Hopfield Networks but have superior information storage capabilities. In contrast to conventional Hopfield Networks, which were popular in the 1980s, DenseAMs have a very large memory storage capacity - possibly exponential in the size of the network. This aspect makes them appealing tools for many problems in AI and neurobiology. In this talk I will describe two theories of how DenseAMs might be built in biological “hardware”. According to the first theory, DenseAMs arise as effective theories after integrating out a large number of neuronal degrees of freedom. According to the second theory, astrocytes, a particular type of glia cells, serve as core computational units enabling large memory storage capabilities. This second theory challenges a common point of view in the neuroscience community that astrocytes play the role of only passive house-keeping support structures in the brain. In contrast, it suggests that astrocytes might be actively involved in brain computation and memory storage and retrieval. This story is an illustration of how computational principles originating in physics may provide insights into novel AI architectures and brain computation. *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

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Join Us at Pre-COSYNE Brainhack 2025 in Montreal!
by Ryan Ly Jan. 3, 2025

Jan. 3, 2025

Dear Community, We are excited to announce the Pre-COSYNE Brainhack 2025, a hackathon taking place on March 25-26 in Montreal, Canada, just before the COSYNE conference! This event brings together open science enthusiasts to collaborate on projects in computational and systems neuroscience. This year’s suggested theme is Data Pipelines & Reproducibility, but participants are welcome to explore any topic. Key Details: 📅 Dates: March 25-26, 2025 📍 Location: Mila, Montreal, Canada 👥 Participants: Limited to 50 📑 Application Deadline: January 10 Why Attend? - Collaborate with like-minded researchers. - Explore and create open-source tools. - Network across institutions and backgrounds. Learn more and apply here: https://pre-cosyne-brainhack.github.io/hackathon2025/posts/about/ Questions? Please reach out to us directly. We hope to see you in Montreal! Warm regards, The Pre-COSYNE Brainhack Organizers

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PhD and Postdoc positions [Neuro-AI lab @ Technion] - Stefano Recanatesi
by Stefano Recanatesi Jan. 2, 2025

Jan. 2, 2025

*PhD and PostDoc Positions Available: Neuro-AI Lab at Technion* *About Us: *The Technion Neuro-AI Lab is at the forefront of research into the computational mechanisms of biological and artificial neural networks. Our diverse projects range from developing Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) for both rodents and humans to creating theoretical and computational models of neural activity, and training cutting-edge machine-learning models, including large language models (LLMs). *University Environment: *Join us at Technion, where we offer a world-class research environment equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and interdisciplinary training programs. The lab is part of the Technion AI community (ranked 1st <https://csrankings.org/#/fromyear/2020/toyear/2024/index?ai&vision&mlmining…> in Europe) and the (nobel prize winning <https://www.technion.ac.il/en/2024/10/nobel-prize-winners-mark-20th-anniver…>) Medical faculty. There is a vibrant international community and the Lab strongly encourages international mobility, supporting students in undertaking internships and research collaborations abroad (especially if the political situation requires it). *Lab Homepage:* Technion Neuro-AI Lab <https://sites.google.com/view/technionneuroailab/home> *Project Descriptions & Candidate Profiles:* We are seeking candidates with computational/theoretical or experimental expertise in the following areas: - *Computational Projects:* - Focus: Machine learning, artificial intelligence, and training of various network algorithms. - Relevant Backgrounds: Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Data Science, etc. - *Theoretical Projects:* - Focus: Developing theoretical and computational predictions for neural experiments. - Relevant Backgrounds: Physics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, etc. - *Experimental Collaborations:* - Focus: Developing experimental setups with advanced computational tools for BCIs in collaboration with partner labs. - Relevant Backgrounds: Neuroscience, Biology, Medicine, etc., with strong computational skills. *What We Offer:* - A stimulating and supportive research environment. - Access to state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure. - Opportunities for interdisciplinary scientific development. - An international and collaborative team atmosphere. - Comprehensive training in a wide range of scientific skills. - Opportunities to present your research at international conferences and workshops. - Extensive support for career development beyond your Ph.D. *Application Deadline: *We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible. Our goal is to fill positions by Spring 2025. *How to Apply:* Please send your CV and full academic transcript directly to Prof. Stefano Recanatesi (stefano(a)technion.ac.il)

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