UCSD Computational Neurobiology Training Program

[Terry Sejnowski]

                    DEADLINE: JANUARY 3, 2003

            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 (Neurobiology): Regulation synaptic components, assembly 
 and localization, function and long-term stability. 
* Garrison Cottrell (Computer Science and Engineering): Dynamical 
 neural network models and learning algorithms
* Virginia De Sa (Cognitive Science): Computational basis of perception 
 and learning (both human and machine); multi-sensory integration and 
 contextual influences
* Mark Ellisman (Neurosciences, School of Medicine): High resolution 
 electron and light microscopy; anatomical reconstructions. Director, 
 National Center for  Microscopy and Imaging Research
* Marla Feller (Neurobiology):  Mechanisms and function of spontaneous 
 activity in the developing nervous system including the retina, spinal 
 cord, hippocampus and neocortex.
* 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. 
* William Kristan (Neurobiology):  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
* Scott Makeig (Institue for Neural Computation): Analysis of cognitive 
 event-related brain dynamics and fMRI using time-frequency and Independent
 Component Analysis
* 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 (Salk Institute/Neurobiology): 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 (Neurobiology):  Regulation of ionic channels and 
 neurotransmitters in neurons; effects of electrical activity in 
 developing neurons on neural function. Chair of Neurobiology
* Charles Stevens (Salk Institute): Synaptic physiology; physiological 
 studies and biophysical models of synaptic plasticity in hippocampal 
 neurons
* Jochen Triesch (Cognitive Science): Sensory integration, visual psychophysics, 
 vision systems and robotics, human-robot interaction, cognitive developmental
* 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 Biological Sciences 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 3, 2003. 

For more information about applying to the UCSD Biology Graduate Program:
http://www.biology.ucsd.edu/grad/admissions/index.html