descs and agenda changes

Workshop Structure

Minutes	US PACIFIC (PST)	AGENDA ITEM
10	8:00 am	Workshop welcome
20	8:10 am	Randal Koene (Intro mini-talk)
45	8:30 am	Philip Shiu (Drosophila functionalization): Dr. Philip Shiu is an accomplished neuroscientist whose work focuses on dynamic neural modeling, data analysis, and the computational understanding of brain function. With a strong interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Shiu explores how neural circuits process information and how these processes can be modeled and emulated. His research bridges the fields of neuroscience, engineering, and artificial intelligence, driving innovation in the study of brain dynamics and connectivity.
30	9:15 am	Q&A / brainstorming (Drosophila functionalization topics presented by Philip Shiu)
45	9:45 am	Janne Lappalainen (Drosophila functionalization): Janne Lappalainen is a dedicated doctoral candidate specializing in neuroscience, with a particular focus on virtual brain platforms and computational modeling. With a strong passion for bridging the gap between theoretical neuroscience and applied technologies, Janne’s research centers on developing and leveraging virtual brain platforms to better understand neural circuits and brain function. His work is at the intersection of computational neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and data science, making significant contributions to the advancement of brain emulation technologies.
30	10:30 am	Q&A / brainstorming (Drosophila functionalization topics presented by Janne Lappalainen)
45	11:00 am	Randal Koene (Inverse problem, System Identification): Dr. Koene is the co-founder and science director of Carboncopies, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the science and ethics of whole brain emulation. His interdisciplinary expertise spans neuroscience, artificial intelligence, neuroprosthetics, and cognitive modeling, making him a thought leader in exploring the potential of uploading and preserving human consciousness through advanced technologies.
30	11:45 am	Q&A / brainstorming (Inverse problem, System Identification)
30	12:15 pm	Break
45	12:45 pm	Konrad Kording (C.Elegans, ground-truthing): Professor Kording’s research focuses on understanding how the brain processes information and how computational models can be used to study neural systems. His interdisciplinary work spans topics such as motor control, decision-making, and the development of machine learning tools to analyze complex neural data. A pioneer in the field of neuroinformatics, Dr. Kording has made significant contributions to advancing our understanding of the brain’s mechanisms and how they inform behavior.
30	1:30 pm	Q&A / brainstorming (C.Elegans, ground-truthing)
45	2:00 pm	Razvan Marinescu (Synthetic data, (f)MRI): Dr. Marinescu's research focuses on machine learning and its applications in healthcare and biomolecular systems. He has developed generative models for medical imaging, including chest X-rays and brain images, utilizing Bayesian inference for image reconstruction tasks. His work has significantly contributed to predicting the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, through advanced statistical modeling. Additionally, Dr. Marinescu co-founded GiwoTech Inc., a startup dedicated to innovative drug screening solutions. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. from University College London and a postdoctoral tenure at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.
30	2:45 pm	Q&A / brainstorming (Synthetic data, (f)MRI topics)
45	3:15 pm	Brain emulation challenge platform introduction: With the availability of high throughput electron microscopy (EM), expansion microscopy (ExM), Calcium and voltage imaging, co-registered combinations of these techniques and further advancements, high resolution data sets that span multiple brain regions or entire small animal brains such as the fruit-fly Drosophila melanogaster may now offer inroads to expansive neuronal circuit analysis. Results of such analysis represent a paradigm change in the conduct of neuroscience.
30	4:00 pm	Open discussion
5	4:40 pm	Workshop closing