DEADLINE: JANUARY 7, 2005
COMPUTATIONAL NEUROBIOLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAM
Department of Biology - University of California, San Diego
http://biology.ucsd.edu/grad/CN_overview.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
* Scott Baden (Computer Science and Engineering): High performance
computing and management of complexity; MCell simulations of cell signaling.
* Darwin Berg (Neurobiology): Regulation synaptic components, assembly
and localization, function and long-term stability.
* Richard Buxton (Radiology, School of Medicine): Brain imaging using MRI.
fundamental aspects of cortical blood flow.
* Garrison Cottrell (Computer Science and Engineering): Dynamical
neural network models and learning algorithms
* Anders Dale (Radiology, School of Medicine): Functional brain
imaging; integration of metabolic and electromagnetic brain signals.
* 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
* Thomas Liu (Radiology, School of Medicine): Brain imaging using MRI.
* Scott Makeig (Institute for Neural Computation): Analysis of cognitive
event-related brain dynamics and fMRI using time-frequency and Independent
Component Analysis
* Javier Movellan (Institute 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
* Emo Todorov (Cognitive Science): Neural control of movement; sensorimotor
psychophysics in visuohaptic virtual environments; modeling the motor system.
* Roger Tsien (Chemistry): Second messenger systems in neurons;
development of new optical and MRI probes of neuron function,
including calcium indicators and caged neurotransmitters
* Hal White (Economics): Statistical learning theory.
* 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 7, 2005.
For more information about applying to the UCSD Biology Graduate Program.
A preapplication is not required for the Computational Neurobiology Program.
Contact ttomp at ucsd.edu for further information about admissions to the program.