Simons Computational Neuroscience Imbizo

Prof. Xaq Pitkow is talking about nonlinearities.

Xaq and students are performing a live experiment on the calculation of conduction velocity!

From Kalman filters to visual illusions! 🌀📉

Yesterday, Cycle 3 director Prof. Xaq Pitkow from Carnegie Mellon Univ took us on a mathematical journey. He discussed how optimal estimation can lead to perceptual biases.

A brilliant, interactive session. 🧠

@simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social

Dr. Nyalleng Moorosi is talking about inductive biases.

Week 3 is underway! 🚀

On Mon, we kicked off the final cycle with a fantastic talk by Nyalleng Moorosi from the Distributed AI Research Institute.

She talked about the critical topic of inductive biases in neural networks. A perfect start to the week! 🧠📉

@simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social

Dr. Athena Akrami is talking about Hopfield Networks.

We concluded Cycle 2 with a bang on Saturday! 💥

Dr. @athenaakrami.bsky.social delivered an incredible lecture on Hopfield networks and attractor dynamics. From memory storage and neural attractors to prior experience, it was the perfect end to the week.🧠📉
@simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social

Jonathan Shock, during his talk, is giving examples where RL has been used.

How do we learn? Is it just rewards, or is it something more? 🤔

Yesterday, Prof. Jonathan Shock from UCT took us through a fascinating route to curiosity, sociability, and active inference.

Unpacking the math behind learning and survival 📉🌍

@simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social

Prof. Adrienne Fairhall, the director of imbizo's cycle 2, introduces the Gender Diversoity Discussion that will take place tomorrow.

Science is more than coding, equations, and experiments. It’s about the people doing the science. 🌍🤝

Adrienne introduced the Gender Discussion taking place tomorrow. Making space for the hard, necessary conversations to build a more inclusive community.

@simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social

Will Dorrell is talkig about breaking the rules during the Science Communication workshop.

A masterclass in communication. 📢

Thank you to our TA Will Dorrell for guiding us through the art of writing papers and giving talks. These are the skills that turn good research into impactful science.

Thanks, Will! 🙌

@ibroorg.bsky.social @simonsfoundation.org

Prof Sara Solla during her lecture.

Prof Sara Solla is directing studnets towards analytical solutions.

Prof Sara Solla during her lecture.

We just finished a tremendous session led by the amazing Prof. Sara Solla from Northwestern Univ. She took us on a journey through the beauty of neural manifolds and beyond. Finding geometry in high-dimensional data! 📉✨

@ibroorg.bsky.social @simonsfoundation.org @sasolla.bsky.social

Yesterday, we had the privilege of hosting @blaiseaguera.bsky.social, CTO of Technology & Society at Google, for a special guest lecture. He unpacked the complex history of intelligence: from biological evolution to artificial systems.

A mind-expanding session for everyone at #Imbizo2026! 🇿🇦🧠

Prof. Jonathan Pillow from Princeton University is helping students to solve MLE equations.

Prof. Pillow is talking about GLMs.

Prof. Felix Deku is showing a neuralink.com video with a monkey and a BCI.

Prof. Deku is explaining the neuropixels.

Yesterday, we dove deep into Generalized Linear & Latent Variable models with Prof. Pillow @jpillowtime.bsky.social from Princeton Univ.

Today, we shifted gears to Neuroengineering with Prof. Felix Deku, Univ. Oregon, exploring Brain-Computer Interfaces.

@simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social

Sunset form Chapmans Peak

A walk towards the wreck of the kakapo, Noordhoek, South Africa

Surfing team before their lesson.

Penguin team!

Recharged and ready!🔋

After a massive first week and a well-deserved day off surfing🏄‍♂️ and visiting the penguins🐧, we are back in the classroom.

We are thrilled to kick off Cycle 2 today with Prof. Adrienne Fairhall as our Academic Director.

@ibroorg.bsky.social @simonsfoundation.org #imbizo2026

Mentors/TAs are giving their tutorials. Spiros Chavlis introduces Python with the LIF model, Will Dorrell on neural computation, Kira Düsterwald on Probability Theory, Isabel Cornacchia on Dynamical Systems, Colleen Gillon on Reinforcement learning, and Rubén Herzog on information theory applied to neural data.

A massive shoutout to our incredible mentors and TAs! 🙌

They delivered 6 wonderful tutorials. Their energy and dedication make this school special. 💻🧠 🇿🇦

@spiroschav.bsky.social | Will Dorrell | @kiradust.bsky.social | @isabelmaria-c.bsky.social | @colleenjg.bsky.social | @rherzoga.bsky.social

Prof Arif Hamid is talking on the dopamine circuit specializations to support multi-actor/hierarchical reinforcement learning

Prof Michael Frank is talking about linking computational levels of analysis from brain to behavior.

Dr Dorit Hockman is talking about gene expression in the brain.

Yesterday, we continued our deep dive into the dopaminergic system with Profs @arifahamid.bsky.social and Michael Frank. 🧠⚡️
Today, we switched gears! Dr Dorit Hockman from UCT is leading a fascinating session on gene expression in the brain. 🧬

@simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social #imbizo2026

Prof. Arif Hamid is explaining Pavlov's dog as a part of his lecture on the "neural basis of reinforcement learning".

Prof. Michael Frank discusses "opponency" as a part of his lecture on how striatal dopamine signals are tuned to optimize reinforcement learning.

Today, our Cycle 1 Academic Director, Prof Arif Hamid @arifahamid.bsky.social from Univ of Minnesota, talked about the neural basis of reinforcement learning.

Then, Prof Michael Frank from Brown Univ. talked about tuning striatal dopaminergic signals. 🧠

@simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social

Dr Tom Tagoe is giving his lecture on synaptic plasticity

Another day in #imbizo2026. Dr. Thomas Tagoe from University of Leicester in Ghana discussed the various types of synaptic plasticity.

Prof Raimondo is giving a talk regarding ions, membranes and spikes.

Prof. Rachael Dangarembizi is giving a talk regarding the brain's anatomy and her personal journey in science

Student attending the course

Our own Prof. Joseph Raimondo @joeraimondo.bsky.social from UCT is talking about ions, membranes and spikes. Yesterday, Prof. Rachael Dangarembizi from UCT talked about the brain's anatomy giving us an inspirational talk on her scientific journey.

#imbizo2026

@arifahamid.bsky.social kicking off Imbizo 2026 in Cape Town! Time for comp neuro epicness in Africa!
@simonsfoundation.org @imbizo.bsky.social @ibroorg.bsky.social

This is the moment of the year we’ve been waiting for! 🌍🧠

We are thrilled to welcome you to Noordhoek, Cape Town, for another amazing Imbizo school. Can't wait to gather, share knowledge, and dive deep into computational neuroscience!

Let the learning begin! 🇿🇦✨

#imbizo2026

🎉🚨 Extended Application Deadline! Now July 16, 2025!

If you want to learn about the brain💻🧠in the amazing Noordhoek, Cape Town🇿🇦, apply.

What to Do Next: Finalise and submit applications before the deadline: imbizo.africa/apply/

Please spread the news. Don’t miss out!

The countdown begins! Just 1 week left (July 1) to apply for Imbizo! Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience life in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. Join us for an unforgettable adventure!

More info and apply: imbizo.africa/apply/

#Imbizo2026 #CompNeuro

Want to spend 3 weeks in South Africa for an unforgettable summer school experience? Imbizo 2026 (imbizo.africa) student applications are OPEN! Lectures, new friends, and Noordhoek beach await. Apply by July 1!

More info and apply: imbizo.africa/apply/

#Imbizo2026 #CompNeuro

🌟Exciting news! Student applications for the #Imbizo 2026 open May 1! Stay tuned for more!🌍

🔗 Details: imbizo.africa

#Africa #CapeTown #CompNeuro

It feels so good to see Imbizo students doing great things! @imbizo.bsky.social #imbizo

one of the coolest things in my life 😆: listen to the spikes from cockroach leg + do spike sorting on them + plot the neural activity on #imbizo 2025 t-shirt!! 🆒🆒🆒 @imbizo.bsky.social

Group picture of students, TAs and faculty at the #imbizo2025 course

A bit late, but just to say how lucky I feel that I could spend a week at #Imbizo2025 summer school @imbizo.bsky.social, hanging out w/ this group of absolutely brilliant students, their dedicated TAs & other faculty. Watch out for this pool of talent! & consider applying/contributing next rounds

Dr. Dan Wetmore giving a lecture

Students at Imbizo working hard on their presentation

Student presentation on designing ML solutions to understand cardiac rhythms

Student presentation on designing ML solutions to sleep paralysis

🎉 Exciting day at #Imbizo2025! Dr. Dan Wetmore & Dr. Garrick Orchard from Meta’s Reality Labs shared their industrial insights on designing top-notch AI/ML experiments, including innovative BCI applications 🤖💡 Students showcased creative solutions for EMG, sleep, wind, epilepsy monitoring & more! 🌟

Dr. Dukes gives a presentation on Career Success and DEI initiatives as a #BlackInNeuro Scientist

Dr. Dukes presenting the demographics statistics of academic faculty in neuroscience

Students engaging in an insightful lecture on succeeding in academia and increasing the representation of #BlackInNeuro

Dr. Dukes sharing information about her #BlackInNeuro initiative

This sunny day☀️ in Cape Town🇿🇦, today's #imbizo2025 lecture we had Dr. Angeline Dukes @therealdrdukes.bsky.social, co-founder of #BlackInNeuro, presenting her journey to our students from 16 different countries, supporting the lesson that "Equity is an Action!"✊🏽✊🏿✊🏼✊🏾 #IBROawardee #IBROSupportedSchool

Just gave my lecture at @imbizo.bsky.social summer school today. What an amazing school both in terms of science and social impact --and the place is breathtaking! Now, time to enjoy the summer time with @therealdrdukes.bsky.social, @arifahamid.bsky.social, and all the students and tutors 🏖️

Annual cockroach spike 🪳 fun at the @imbizo.bsky.social! @simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social @backyardbrains.bsky.social