Computational Neurobiology Graduate Training at UCSD

[Terry Sejnowski]

                    DEADLINE: JANUARY 4, 2002

            COMPUTATIONAL NEUROBIOLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAM
      Department of Biology - University of California, San Diego
           http://www.biology.ucsd.edu/grad/other_compneuro.html

The goal of the Computational Neurobiology Graduate Program at UCSD 
is to train researchers who are equally at home measuring large-scale brain 
activity, analyzing the data with advanced computational techniques, and 
developing new models for brain development and function.  Financial 
support for students enrolled in this training program is available through 
an NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training (IGERT) award.  

Candidates from a wide range of backgrounds are invited to apply, 
including Biology, Psychology, Computer Science, Physics and 
Mathematics. The three major themes in the training program are:

1. Neurobiology of Neural Systems: Anatomy, physiology and behavior 
of systems of neurons.  Using modern neuroanatomical, behavioral,
neuropharmacological and electrophysiological techniques.  Lectures, wet 
laboratories and computer simulations, as well as research rotations. Major 
new imaging and recording techniques also will be taught, including 
two-photon laser scanning microscopy and functional magnetic resonance 
imaging (fMRI).

2. Algorithms and Realizations for the Analysis of Neuronal Data:
New algorithms and techniques for analyzing data obtained from physiological 
recording, with an emphasis on recordings from large populations of 
neurons with imaging and multielectrode recording techniques.  New 
methods for the study of co-ordinated activity, such as multi-taper spectral 
analysis and Independent Component Analysis (ICA).

3. Neuroinformatics, Dynamics and Control of Systems of Neurons:
Theoretical aspects of single cell function and emergent properties as 
many neurons interact among themselves and react to sensory inputs. A 
synthesis of approaches from mathematics and physical sciences as well as 
biology will be used to explore the collective properties and nonlinear 
dynamics of neuronal systems, as well as issues of sensory coding and 
motor control.

Participating Faculty include: 

* Henry Abarbanel (Physics): Nonlinear and oscillatory dynamics; 
modeling central pattern generators in the lobster stomatogastric 
ganglion.  Director, Institute for Nonlinear Systems at UCSD.
* Thomas Albright (Salk Institute): Motion processing in primate visual 
cortex; linking single neurons to perception; fMRI in awake, behaving 
monkeys.  Director, Sloan Center for Theoretical Neurobiology.
* Darwin Berg (Biology): Regulation synaptic components, assembly 
and localization, function and long-term stability. Former Chairman of 
Biology.
* Garrison Cottrell (Computer Science and Engineering): Dynamical 
neural network models and learning algorithms.
* Mark Ellisman (Neurosciences, School of Medicine): High resolution 
electron and light microscopy; anatomical reconstructions. Director, 
National Center for  Microscopy and Imaging Research.
* 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, School of Medicine): Anatomical, 
physiological and computational studies of the retina and optic tectum 
of birds and squirrels. 
* David Kleinfeld (Physics):Active sensation in rats; properties of 
neuronal assemblies; optical imaging of large-scale activity. 
Co-director, Analysis of Neural Data Workshop (MBL).
* William Kristan (Biology):  Computational Neuroethology; functional 
and developmental studies of the leech nervous system, including 
studies of the bending reflex and locomotion.  Director, Neurosciences 
Graduate Program at UCSD.
* Herbert Levine (Physics): Nonlinear dynamics and pattern formation 
in physical and biological systems, including cardiac dynamics and the 
growth and form of bacterial colonies.
* Javier Movellan (Institue for Neural Computation): Sensory fusion
 and learning algorithms for continuous stochastic systems.
* Mikhael Rabinovich (Institute for Nonlinear Science): Dynamical 
systems analysis of the stomatogastric ganglion of the lobster and the 
antenna lobe of insects.
* Terrence Sejnowski hSalk Institute/Biology): Computational 
neurobiology; physiological studies of neuronal reliability and 
synaptic mechanisms. Director, Institute for Neural Computation.
* Martin Sereno (Cognitive Science): Neural bases of visual cognition 
and language using anatomical, electrophysiological, computational, 
and non-invasive brain imaging techniques.
* Nicholas Spitzer (Biology):  Regulation of ionic channels and 
neurotransmitters in neurons; effects of electrical activity in 
developing neurons on neural function. Chair of the Neurobiology 
Section in Biology.
* 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, School of Medicine): Peripheral and 
central taste systems; anatomical and functional studies of regions in 
the caudal brainstem important for feeding behavior.
* Ruth Williams (Mathematics): Probabilistic analysis of stochastic 
systems and continuous learning algorithms.

Requests for application materials should be sent to the University of 
California, San Diego, Division of Biology 0348, Graduate Admissions Office, 
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0348 or to [gradprog at biomail.ucsd.edu]. 

The deadline for completed application materials, including letters of 
recommendation, is January 4, 2002. 

More information about applying to the UCSD Biology Graduate Program is 
available at http://www.biology.ucsd.edu/grad/admissions/index.html