Training and Events

Workshop Description

Contemporary neurobiological experiments often generate complex data sets with many dependent variables collected continuously through time. Appropriate analysis tools are needed to uncover relationships among signals and allow for a better understanding of the underlying biological processes. This workshop aims to give students an introduction to the theory and practical application of computational methods for the analysis of neurobiological data.

This 12-day online workshop will be composed of lectures, hands-on use of key analysis methods, and a course project, and will include break days. Instruction and exercises will use MATLAB, the most commonly used data analysis and visualization tool for quantitative sciences; however, no prior experience with this software is required. Several data sets will be provided for students’ use. Each student will be asked to complete a project during the workshop. Students will have the option to use their own data in the projects or use data provided by the instructors. The instructors and TAs will provide support at every phase of the project, including selecting an appropriate topic, deciding on analyses, programming, and visualization. Although the course will focus on signals from animal behaviour and electrophysiology, the methods taught in the course will be highly applicable to many other types of signals encountered in neurobiological research.

Participants will have the opportunity to receive university credit for this course. Additional fees may apply. See below for more information.

General Topics

• Introduction to MATLAB and other appropriate coding tools (e.g., Python and R)

• Data visualization
• Overview of analysis methods for biological signals
• Fundamental concepts in signal and image processing
• Working with continuous and discrete data
• Analysis of behavioural videos and brain imaging dataset
• Fundamental concepts in machine learning and its application in life science, health and agriculture
• Introduction to cloud computation

Instructors

This online workshop is delivered by experts in the field of computational neuroscience at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN) and selected guest speakers.

• David Euston
• Aaron Gruber
• Artur Luczak
• Majid Mohajerani
• Masami Tatsuno
• Bruce McNaughton (Director of the Polaris Brain Dynamics research group).

For more information about the course instructors, please visit: www.uleth.ca/artsci/neuroscience/our-faculty

2024 Guest Speakers

• Chelsea Ekstrand, University of Lethbridge
• TBA

Cost

The costs for the entire 12-day workshop is $400. NO FEES ARE DUE AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION. If you are invited to attend the workshop, more information will be provided to you on how to pay your registration fee.

Pre-Course Materials

Before beginning the course, participants are strongly encouraged to access the following materials to ensure that they are able to effectively grasp the course content:

• Getting Started Guide: www.mathworks.com/help/pdf_doc/matlab/getstart.pdf
• Tutorials:
  • http://www.mathworks.com/academia/student_center/tutorials/launchpad.html
  • Matlab Learning Resources: https://matlabacademy.mathworks.com/
  • Matlab documentation: http://www.mathworks.com/help/techdoc/
• Optional books:
  • Wallisch, P., Lusignan, M., Benayoun, M., Baker, T., Dickey, A.S, & Hatsopoulosn N. (2014). Matlab for Neuroscientists. Academic Press. (U of L library has license for 10 simultaneous users: http://darius.uleth.ca/record=b1960794~S1 )
  • Aron, A., Aron, E.N., & Coups, E.J. (2009). Statistics for Psychology (5th Edition). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Workshop Eligibility

• Preference will be given to Graduate level students (Masters or PhD) and Postdoctoral fellows registered full-time in a post-secondary institution working in neuroscience or a related discipline.
• Undergraduate students registered full-time in a post-secondary institution working in neuroscience or a related discipline, involved in a research project and sponsored by an academic faculty member may apply.
• No prior experience with any programming language is required.
• Students can outline previous experience on the application. Previous experience will be taken into consideration during adjudication.
• Students are expected to have familiarity with hypothesis testing and basic concepts of neuroscience (e.g. action potentials).
• Campus Alberta Neuroscience will consider the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion when selecting participants in the workshop. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that brings together diverse perspectives from our students, staff, instructors, guest speakers, and teaching supports.

Application Process

To be considered for the workshop, applicants are required to submit:

1. Online Application Form
   • The application form requires basic information about the applicant, supervisor, experience, and learning goals. Applicants will also upload a current CV and a Letter of Supervisor Support.
2. Applicant curriculum vitae (in .pdf format)
   • CVs should not exceed 3 pages and include education/training, positions/employment, honors/awards, publications, presentations, research support, etc.
3. Letter of Supervisor Support
   • A signed letter of support needs to be provided by the supervisor that outlines how participation in this workshop will benefit the student’s project/program of study and the supervisor’s own program of research. Supervisors must provide their signed letter in a protected .pdf format.

If needed, Letters of Supervisor Support can be sent directly to Campus Alberta Neuroscience at albertaneuro@uleth.ca with the subject line, “Computational Methods Workshop Application Letter of Support– [STUDENT LAST NAME, FIRST NAME].”

Complete applications – including the Online Application Form, applicant CV, and Letter of Supervisor Support – must be received by the application deadline (March 1, 2024 @ 4pm MST). Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure the submission adheres to the requirements and is received before the deadline.

No fees are due at the time of application. If you are invited to attend the workshop, more information will be provided to you on how to pay your registration fee.

Students from outside of Alberta and those from Alberta who are not registered full-time graduate-level program in a partnered institution will be required to cover additional costs in order to receive university credit for this course, including registration and tuition at the University of Lethbridge. University credit is OPTIONAL for these students; students who opt not to receive university credit may still receive a certificate of completion upon request (not valid for university credit).

The application can be accessed here.

Key Dates

• Workshop application opens: December 14, 2024
• Workshop application deadline: March 1, 2024 @ 4pm MST
• Notification of acceptance: March 2024.

Application Adjudication

The Computational Neuroscience Committee will review and rank all complete applications. Applications will be evaluated on merit and on the following criteria:

• Preference to graduate students working in neuroscience or related discipline
• Preference to Alberta-based students studying at a CAN partner institution (University of Alberta, Calgary or Lethbridge)
• Quality of student’s CV
• Benefit to student’s program of study/project
• Contribution to Supervisor’s program of neuroscience research

A maximum of 35 students will be invited to participate based on adjudication ranking. Priority is given to graduate students who meet the eligibility criteria and are registered in a Campus Alberta Neuroscience partner institution (University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Lethbridge).

Notice of Decision

• Applicants will be notified of the Committee’s decision in writing by Campus Alberta Neuroscience
• Students accepted into the workshop will be provided with a registration package in advance. The package will include additional details on the workshop content, course credit and fees.

Questions

If you have any questions or concerns about the upcoming workshop, please contact Renée Dumas.

Event Overview

Campus Alberta Neuroscience is a pleased to announce the first ever Canadian Symposium for Computational Neuroscience, being held October 26-27 2021. This national symposium was held virtually and connected trainees, researchers, and industry representatives from across the country to share knowledge, research, and innovation.

The programming included panel discussions, research presentations, a facilitated researcher collaboration session, and a keynote presentation by Geoffrey Hinton. Also included was an interactive workshop led and sponsored by the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) and will provide attendees with an understanding of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the real world. No prior knowledge in coding or programming is needed! Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about how Amii researchers use machine learning to aid in the diagnosis of mental disorders, like Schizophrenia. Principal Researcher Sunil Kalmady and Amii Research Fellow Russ Greiner will give a short presentation on their work and answer any questions you may have.

Topics

The major themes of the symposium will be: Biological Computation, Network Neuroscience, Dimensionality Reduction, and Information Decoding from Neural Networks. We are in collaboration with various groups and organizations to offer a curriculum best suited to the current research and innovation in the computational neuroscience field.

Please click below to for the detailed event program, and information on speakers and sponsors.

Lightning Talks

We are excited to provide trainees with the opportunity to present your own research through brief ‘Lightning Talk’ presentations. These presentations are available for the Postdoc, PhD, Masters, and Undergraduate levels, with $400 prizes available to the best talk presented in each category!

Lightning Talk guidelines are available here.

Mark your calendars and join international experts for the virtual 2021 Symposium on Promoting Healthy Brain Aging and Preventing Dementia: Research and Translation, taking place May 18-19th, 2021. Campus Alberta Neuroscience is proud to host the Third International Symposium that will bring together experts from Alberta and around the world to share knowledge and contribute to the ongoing discussions on the research and translational tools required to improve the prevention, detection, intervention, and management of dementia and to promote healthier brain and cognitive aging.

The Event Program is now available and includes the full agenda, abstract information and speaker biographies. Click here to view it.

Keynote Speakers

Campus Alberta Neuroscience is proud to announce the keynote speakers for the 2021 Symposium.