UCSD Computational Neurobiology

[Terry Sejnowski]

            Computational Neurobiology Graduate Program
      Department of Biology  -- University of California, San Diego 

The Computational Neurobiology Graduate Program at UCSD will 
provide students with rigorous training in neuroscience including 
experimental methods and modern mathematical methods to 
analyze and visualize data as well as theoretical approaches to neuronal 
dynamics and computation. Candidates from a wide range of 
backgrounds are invited to apply, including Biology, Psychology,
Computer Science, Physics and Mathematics.

All students are expected to master set of core courses to insure a common 
set of knowledge and a common language.   All students will take the 
"Advanced Neurobiology Laboratory", which presents state-of-the-art 
imaging and electrophysiological techniques, modern techniques in 
genetic and viral transformation for the study of neuronal function, and 
modern statistical and spectral methods for data analysis, and "Advanced 
Computational Methods and Dynamic Systems Theory" which include 
training in nonlinear dynamics of single cells, the analysis of regularly 
spiking and bursting cells, as well as reduced models and their 
representation in phase space. 

Requests for application materials should be sent to the Graduate
Admissions Office, Department of Biology 0348, 9500 Gilman Drive,
UCSD, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0348: [gradprog at biology.ucsd.edu].

An initial pre-application form will be sent; applicants should indicate
their interest in the Computational Neurobiology Graduate Program on
this form. These forms will be screened and application forms will be
sent to appropriate candidates. The deadline for completed application
materials, including letters of reference, is January 8, 1999.

More information about applying to the UCSD Biology Graduate Program:
http://www-biology.ucsd.edu/sa/Admissions.html.

The Biology Department home page is located at:
http://www-biology.ucsd.edu/

Other inquiries about the Computational Neurobiology Graduate
Program should be directed to:

Terrence Sejnowski
Institute for Neural Computation 0523
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA 92093
[tsejnowski at ucsd.edu].

Participating Faculty include: 

  Henry Abarbanel (Physics): Nonlinear and oscillatory dynamics; modeling 
central pattern generators in the lobster stomatogastric ganglion. 
  Thomas Albright (Salk Institute): Motion processing in primate visual 
cortex; linking the responses of single neurons to perception; functional 
agnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) in awake, behaving monkeys; 
  Darwin Berg (Biology): Regulation of synaptic components of neurons; 
how neurons become committed to synthesizing specific synaptic 
components, how the components are assembled and localized in the 
synaptic membrane, and how the function and long-term stability of the 
components are controlled; 
  Mark Ellisman (Neurosciences): High resolution anatomy using electron 
microscopy and light microscopy; computational procedures for 
anatomical reconstructions; 
  Robert Hecht-Nielsen (Electrical and Computer Engineering): Neural 
computation and the functional organization of the cerebral cortex; 
founder of Hecht-Nielsen Corporation, 
  Harvey Karten (Neurosciences): Visual system function 
and organization; anatomical, physiological and computational studies of 
the retina and optic tectum of birds and squirrels. 
  David Kleinfeld (Physics): Collective properties of neuronal assemblies; 
optical recording of electrical activity in cortex; analysis of large-scale 
activity in nervous systems; 
  William Kristan (Biology): Neuroethology of the leech; functional and 
developmental studies of the leech nervous system, including 
computational studies of the bending reflex and locomotion; 
  Herbert Levine (Physics): Nonlinear dynamics and pattern formation in 
physical and biological systems, including cardiac dynamics and the 
growth and form of bacterial colonies. 
  Mu-ming Poo (Biology): Mechanisms for synaptic plasticity; synaptic 
learning rules underlying developmental plasticity and learning in 
nervous systems; development of sensory maps in lower vertebrate visual 
systems. 
  Terrence Sejnowski (Salk Institute/Biology): Computational neurobiology; 
detailed biophysical and large-scale network models of nervous systems; 
physiological studies of neuronal reliability and synaptic mechanisms; 
  Michael Rabinovich (Institute for Nonlinear Studies): Analysis of neural 
dynamics in the stomatogastric ganglion of the lobster and the olfactory 
system of insects. 
  Martin Sereno (Cognitive Science): Organization of the visual system in 
primates and squirrels; computer models of neural systems and 
development of new techniques for studying human cognition with 
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). 
  Nicholas Spitzer (Biology): Regulation of ionic channels and 
neurotransmitters in neurons; effects of electrical activity in developing 
neurons on neural function; 
  Charles Stevens (Salk Institute): Synaptic physiology; physiological studies 
and biophysical models of synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons. 
  Roger Tsien (Chemistry): Second messenger systems in neurons; 
development of new optical and MRI probes of neuron function, 
including calcium indicators and caged neurotransmitters. 
  Mark Whitehead (Neurosurgery): Peripheral and central taste systems; 
anatomical and functional studies of regions in the caudal brainstem 
important for feeding behavior. 
  Ruth Williams (Mathematics): Probability theory, stochastic processes and 
their applications, including learning in stochastic networks. 
  Kent Wilson (Chemistry): Multi-photon techniques in scanning optical 
microscopy of living biological systems; multi-sensual use of computer 
visualization, sound and touch as tools in research and education.