- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Prestigious Lecture Series - Live Talk by Prof. Tony Prescott - University of Sheffield

by Amir Aly

Dear All * *Apologies for cross-posting** I’m pleased to share that the next talk of the *CRNS Talk Series* at the University of Plymouth, scheduled for May 14th, will be an *IEEE-RAS* *co-sponsored Prestigious Lecture.* *Prof. Tony Prescott *from the University of Sheffield will deliver a talk on Wednesday, *May 14th *from *11:00 AM - 12:30 PM* (*London time*) over Zoom. *Thank you for forwarding the invitation to any of your colleagues who might be interested*. >> *Events*: The CRNS talk series will cover a wide range of topics including Social and Cognitive Robotics, Computational Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, Computational Linguistics, Cognitive Vision, AI and Machine Learning, and healthcare. More details are available here: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/robotics-neural-systems/whats-on <https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.plymo…> >> *Link for the next event*: According to IEEE regulations, registration to the event is required (*Registration Link <https://events.vtools.ieee.org/event/register/484198>*). A Zoom link will be sent to registered persons prior to the event. >> *Title of the talk: **Analysis and Synthesis of the Embodied Self: A Robotics Perspective* *Abstract*: This talk will consider the specific challenge of synthesizing a robot “sense of self”. The starting point is an analysis of the human self that sees it as brought into being by the activity of a set of transient self-processes instantiated by the brain and body. I propose that we can better understand this self-system, and thereby this core aspect of the human condition, through embodied (robotic) modelling. The self begins with the brain’s discovery of the body, of its ability to control it, and of the distinctive dynamics of interoceptive compared to exteroceptive sensory signals. These processes give rise to a minimal sense of self as a bounded agent, upon which layers of reflective self-processes are constructed that extend the self in space and time and that allow the recognition of other selves. To illustrate the talk, I will discuss ongoing attempts to create a sense of self for robots within my own lab and others. >> If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me, Regards -------------------------------------------- *Dr. Amir Aly*, PhD, FHEA, SIEEE Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Programme Manager of Artificial Intelligence UK and Ireland IEEE RAS Chapter Vice Chair Director of the Centre for Robotics and Neural Systems (CRNS) School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics Room A307 Portland Square, Drake Circus, PL4 8AA University of Plymouth, UK

May 6, 2025

Brains in Space - 20.05.25 - Thomas Wolbers (DZNE Magdeburg)

by Vinita Samarasinghe

It is time for *Brains in Space* again! This semester we invite you to talks by: Thomas Wolbers (DZNE Magdeburg), James McLaren (Universität Oldenburg), Xiangshuai Zeng (Ruhr University Bochum), and Lukas Kunz (Universität Bonn). The colloquium takes place virtually on Tuesday's from 16:00 to 17:30 (CEST) and the complete schedule can be found at https://www.ini.rub.de/teaching/courses/colloquium_brains_in_space_an_inter…. The first talk is on May 20th 2025 and is open to the public. Please feel free to forward this information to any of your colleagues who may be interested. May 20th: *Thomas Wolbers* - DZNE Magdeburg *Title:* Mechanisms of Navigational decline in human ageing Zoom link: https://ruhr-uni-bochum.zoom-x.de/j/67839364827?pwd=RfcIgK8OUfjkwWTNCf80ARX… [Meeting ID: 678 3936 4827; Passcode: 841644] We look forward to seeing you. Kind regards, Vinita -- Best, Vinita Vinita Samarasinghe M.Sc., M.A. Science Manager Arbeitsgruppe Computational Neuroscience <https://rub.de/cns> Institut für Neuroinformatik Ruhr-Universität Bochum, NB 3/73 Postfachnummer 110 Universitätstr. 150 44801 Bochum Tel: +49 (0)234 32 27996 Mobile: +49 (0)1512 7278698 Email: samarasinghe(a)ini.rub.de

May 6, 2025

World wide VVTNS series (fifth season): Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 11:00 am EDT| Mark van Rossum, University of Nottingham

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 Mark van Rossum University of Nottingham Energy efficient learning in neural networks The lecture will be held on zoom on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at *11:00 am EDT * To receive the link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page *Abstract: *The brain is one of the most energy intense organs. Some of this energy is used for neural information processing, however, fruitfly experiments have shown that also learning is metabolically costly. We will present estimates of this cost and introduce a general model of this cost, and compare it to costs in computers. Next, we turn to a supervised artificial network setting and explore a number of strategies that can save energy needed for plasticity. Either by modifying the objective function, by restricting plasticity, or by using less costly transient forms of plasticity. Finally, we will discuss adaptive strategies and possible relevance for biological learning. *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

May 4, 2025

2025 Gatsby Unit PhD Programme - Apply by 27 May

by Lin, I-Chun

We have an opportunity for students to join our PhD programme this September. PhD Programme in Theoretical Neuroscience and Machine Learning Deadline: Tuesday 27 May 2025 The Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit is a leading research centre focused on theoretical neuroscience and machine learning. We study (un)supervised and reinforcement learning in brains and machines; inference, coding and neural dynamics; Bayesian and kernel methods, and deep learning; with applications to the analysis of perceptual processing and cognition, neural data, signal and image processing, machine vision, network data and nonparametric hypothesis testing. The Unit provides a unique opportunity for a critical mass of theoreticians to interact closely with one another and with researchers at the Sainsbury WellcomeCentre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour (SWC), the Centre for Computational Statistics and Machine Learning (CSML) and related UCL departments such as Computer Science; Statistical Science; Artificial Intelligence; the ELLIS Unit at UCL; Neuroscience; and the nearby Alan Turing and Francis Crick Institutes. Our PhD programme provides a rigorous preparation for a research career. Students complete a 4-year PhD in either machine learning or theoretical/computational neuroscience, with minor emphasis in the complementary field. Courses in the first year provide a comprehensive introduction to both fields and systems neuroscience. Students are encouraged to work and interact closely with SWC/CSML researchers to take advantage of this uniquely multidisciplinary research environment. Applicants should have a strong analytical and quantitative background, a keen interest in neuroscience, machine learning or both, and a relevant first degree, for example in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Neuroscience or Cognitive Psychology. Full funding is available regardless of nationality. The unit also welcomes applicants who have secured or are seeking funding from other sources. Applications should be submitted directly to us via the online portal. For programme details and how to apply, see www.ucl.ac.uk/gatsby/study-and-work/gatsby-unit-phd-programme<https://www.ucl.ac.uk/gatsby/study-and-work/gatsby-unit-phd-programme>. -- I-Chun Lin Scientific Programme Manager Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, UCL

May 2, 2025

Neuronal Spike Timing: Precision, Reliability, and the Neural Code from 1995-2025

by Paul Tiesinga

Dear Colleague In 1995 Mainen and Sejnowski published a striking result showing neurons in mammalian neocortex are capable of producing precise, reliable spike trains in response to fluctuating inputs. This work inspired sustained inquiry into the role of spike timing in sensory, motor and cognitive processes, including learning and memory, as well as theoretical investigations into neural coding, plasticity, and the mechanisms of precise spike timing. In recognition of the 30th anniversary of this seminal paper, Biological Cybernetics invites submissions to a special article collection on the topic “Neuronal Spike Timing: Precision, Reliability, and the Neural Code from 1995-2025.” Whether you have contributed to past research in this area and would like to write a retrospective review, or if you are actively pursuing new research building on spike timing, we encourage you to submit an article to this collection. The submission window will remain open from May 1 - November 1, 2025. Full details of the call for submissions are available at https://link.springer.com/collections/aadfbhcbii. We look forward to receiving your submission. Please direct inquiries regarding scope and suitability to pjthomas(a)case.edu and p.tiesinga(a)science.ru.nl. Sincerely Peter Thomas, Case Western Reserve University Paul Tiesinga, Radboud University

April 30, 2025

Call for Participation & Papers - ACAIN 2025 - 5th International Advanced Course & Symposium on Artificial Intelligence & Neuroscience, September 21-24 2025, Riva del Sole Resort & SPA, Tuscany * Course Registration: May 23 * Paper Submission: May 23 *

by ICAS Organizing Committee

Call for Participation & Call for Papers (apologies for multiple copies, please forward to anybody who might be interested, thanks!) The 5th International Advanced *Course* & *Symposium* on Artificial Intelligence & Neuroscience, September 21-24, 2025, Riva del Sole Resort & SPA, Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto) Tuscany, Italy W: https://acain2025.icas.events E: acain(a)icas.cc Symposium Deadline: Paper Submission (Symposium): by May 23 (AoE) https://acain2025.icas.events/symposium-call-for-papers/ https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=acain2025 Course Deadline: Regular Registration (Course): by May 23 (AoE) https://acain2025.icas.events/course-description/ https://acain2025.icas.events/registration/ https://2025.iaiss.cc/deadlines/ LECTURERS: Panos Pardalos, University of Florida, USA Jose Principe, University of Florida, USA Maneesh Sahani, University College London, UK Jonathon Shlens, Google DeepMind, USA Dimitra Thomaidou, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Greece Marina Vidaki, University of Crete, Medical School, Crete, Greece More Speakers TBA https://acain2025.icas.events/course-lecturers/ SCOPE & MOTIVATION: ACAIN: AI meets Computational Neuroscience and Cognitive Science The ACAIN symposium and course is an interdisciplinary event featuring leading scientists from AI and Neuroscience, providing a special opportunity to learn about cutting-edge research in the fields of AI, Neuroscience, Neuroscience-Inspired AI, Human-Level AI, and Cognitive Science. The Advanced Course and Symposium on Artificial Intelligence & Neuroscience (ACAIN) is a full-immersion four-day Course and Symposium in Tuscany on cutting-edge advances in Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience with lectures delivered by world-renowned experts. The Course provides a stimulating environment for academics, early career researchers, Post-Docs, PhD students and industry leaders. Participants will also have the chance to present their results with oral talks or posters, and to interact with their colleagues, in a convivial and productive environment. Two days of keynote talks and oral presentations, the ACAIN Symposium, (September 23-24), will be preceded by lectures of leading scientists, the ACAIN Course, (September 21-22). Bringing together AI and neuroscience promises to yield benefits for both fields. The future impact and progress in both AI and Neuroscience will strongly depend on continuous synergy, exchange, collaboration and efficient cooperation between the two research communities. These are the goals of the International Course and Symposium - ACAIN, which is aimed both at AI experts with interests in Neuroscience and at neuroscientists with an interest in AI. ACAIN accepts rigorous research that promotes and fosters multidisciplinary interactions between artificial intelligence and neuroscience. The Advanced Course is suited for scholars, academics, early career researchers, Post-Docs, PhD students and industry leaders. The Event (Course and Symposium) will involve a total of 36-40 hours of lectures. Academically, this will be equivalent to 8 ECTS points for the PhD Students and the Master Students attending the Event. SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM COMMITTEE (partial list, confirmed members): https://acain2025.icas.events/program-committee/ ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: https://acain2025.icas.events/symposium-committee/ VENUE & ACCOMMODATION: https://acain2025.icas.events/venue/ ACAIN is a *Residential Conference*, all participants (invited speakers, authors, organizers, chairs, participants) must book and stay at the Riva del Sole Resort and Spa. No exceptions are allowed. Riva del Sole Resort & SPA a: Località Riva del Sole - Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto) CAP 58043, Tuscany - Italy p: +39-0564-928111 f: +39-0564-935607 e: booking.events(a)rivadelsole.it w: www.rivadelsole.it/en ACTIVITIES: https://acain2025.icas.events/activities/ REGISTRATION: https://acain2025.icas.events/registration/ See you in Tuscany in September! ACAIN Organizing Committee. E: acain(a)icas.cc W: https://acain2025.icas.events FB: https://www.facebook.com/ACAIN.LakeDistrict Obviously, this is only a Call for Participation & Call for Papers, to have complete and updated information we recommend you access the relevant website: https://acain2025.icas.events * Apologies for multiple copies. Please forward to anybody who might be interested, thanks! *

April 30, 2025

Conference Fellowships and abstract deadline approaching for UK Neural Computation 2025

by Mark Humphries

We are offering up to 8 conference fellowships<https://neuralcomputation.uk/fellowships.html> to support attendance at UK Neural Computation 2025 by presenting authors, sponsored by ARIA's Scalable Neural Interface<https://www.aria.org.uk/opportunity-spaces/scalable-neural-interfaces> program. Fellowships include a full registration fee waiver and attendance expenses up to £225. Deadline: May 23rd. And a reminder that abstract submission closes May 12th. Submit here: https://forms.gle/kg5xaSfBX3sN7tUN9 Speakers, registration and full conference information here: https://neuralcomputation.uk/ Sponsors: ARIA Scalable Neural Interfaces program<https://www.aria.org.uk/opportunity-spaces/scalable-neural-interfaces> Francis Crick Institute<https://www.crick.ac.uk/> Organisers: Danyal Akarca (Imperial) Dan Goodman (Imperial) Mark Humphries (Nottingham) Professor Mark Humphries | Professor of Computational Neuroscience Lab: humphries-lab.org<https://www.humphries-lab.org/> Connect: Bluesky<https://bsky.app/profile/markdhumphries.bsky.social> / LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-humphries-65a460212/> / X<https://x.com/markdhumphries> Essays on the brain and science: drmdhumphries.medium.com<https://drmdhumphries.medium.com/> Book: "The Spike: An Epic Journey Through the Brain in 2.1 Seconds" (Princeton UP) in hardback<https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691195889/the-spike?_gl=1*h…..>, paperback<https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691241487/the-spike>, ebook<https://press.princeton.edu/books/ebook/9780691213514/the-spike-0?_gl=1*1uf…..> & audiobook<https://press.princeton.edu/books/audio/9780691224091/the-spike?_gl=1*37xz7…..> <https://press.princeton.edu/books/audio/9780691224091/the-spike?_gl=1*37xz7…..> read by Anand Jagatia This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored where permitted by law.

April 30, 2025

PhD and postdoc positions in accelerator design for computational neuroscience

by Jakob Jordan

Dear all, We are inviting applications for one PhD and one postdoc position in accelerator design for computational neuroscience and asynchronous digital hardware as part of a joint project between the Neuro-inspired Theory, Modeling and Applications (NeuroTMA) Lab led by Mihai A. Petrovici at the University of Bern, Switzerland, and the Asynchronous VLSI and Architecture (AVLSI) Lab led by Rajit Manohar at Yale University, USA. The NeuroTMA Lab focuses on biologically inspired models of spatio-temporal processing in recurrent cortical networks and their relation to reinforcement learning, Bayesian computing, and neuromorphic implementations. The AVLSI Lab conducts research on semantics, design methodologies, and architectures for asynchronous systems with the goal of designing and implementing efficient and programmable computation structures. The project will develop an accelerator for the simulation of cortical models of processing and learning. You can find more details about the positions at - https://physiologie.unibe.ch/Positions/NSFSNSFjobadphd.pdf (PhD candidate) - https://physiologie.unibe.ch/Positions/NSFSNSFjobadpostdoc.pdf (postdoctoral researcher) Both positions are available from June 1st, 2025. Please feel free to share with anyone else you think would be a good fit for these opportunities! Best, Jakob

April 29, 2025

Post-doc position in the UCL Human Electrophysiology Lab

by Bush, Daniel

Hello all, A post-doctoral research position is available in my lab<https://bushlab-ucl.github.io/> at the UCL Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, funded for two and a half years in the first instance. This position is part of an EPSRC project investigating the neural mechanisms of human memory function. The project will focus on collecting and analysing intracranial EEG and single cell recordings from epilepsy patients and MEG recordings from healthy volunteers completing spatial and episodic memory tasks, in conjunction with computational modelling. Candidates must have a PhD (or be studying towards it) in science, engineering, maths or a relevant subject area that incorporates some aspect of neuroscience, and proven knowledge of computer programming (using Matlab, Python, or C++). Experience of collecting and analysing rodent electrophysiology, human EEG and / or MEG data is also essential. For further details including salary, benefits etc. please follow this link<https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/search-ucl-jobs/details?jobId=34112&jobTi…>, and if you have any queries about the role, please contact me at d.bush(a)ucl.ac.uk<mailto:d.bush@ucl.ac.uk> Many thanks Dan ---------------------------------------------------- Dr. Daniel Bush GM01, Medical Sciences Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT Principal Investigator, UCL Human Electrophysiology Lab<https://bushlab-ucl.github.io/> Lecturer, UCL Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology<https://www.ucl.ac.uk/npp/> Associate Editor, PLoS Computational Biology<https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/>

April 29, 2025

Neuroinformatics Unit Open Software Week, in London this August

by Nikoloz Sirmpilatze

We’re pleased to announce the first Neuroinformatics Unit Open Software Week <https://neuroinformatics.dev/open-software-week> at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre <https://www.sainsburywellcome.org/web/> in *London* this *August 11-15*.This event will bring together researchers, developers, and users of *open-source neuroscience software* for some hands-on training, community-building and hacking. There will be three main tracks: 1. *Animals in motion*: using open-source tools to track and analyse animal motion from video footage 2. *BrainGlobe*: using the BrainGlobe ecosystem of computational neuroanatomy tools to analyse whole-brain microscopy datasets 3. *Big Imaging Data*: bridging technical gaps and communities to process and analyse large 3D imaging datasets with open-source tools There will also be a series of satellite events: - Introduction to Python - Alternative research careers clinic - Collaborative coding with Git - Hackday The event is free to all, but spots are limited. We will be offering several travel stipends for participants outside of London.More details and registration on our website. Please share with anyone who may be interested.https://neuroinformatics.dev/open-software-week Kind regards, Niko [image: schedule-2025_white-bg.png] --------------------------------------- *NIKOLOZ SIRMPILATZE *MD PhD Senior Research Software Engineer Sainsbury Wellcome Centre & Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit University College London nikosirmpilatze.com

April 28, 2025