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Summer Camp Overview

This summer camp is structured around a core curriculum that emphasizes hands-on experience and mentorship, facilitated by leading experts in neuroscience data analysis. Participants will be introduced to advanced techniques in brain processing, analyzing, and visualizing structural and functional connectome data, all within the context of addressing real-world challenges in neuroscience and substance use.

Schedules and Agenda

Day 1(Monday, May 20): The day kicks off with a warm welcome and registration, setting the stage for an exciting start! Participants will dive into a dynamic coding session, mastering the essentials of the Matlab computing environment. After enjoying a delicious lunch and some great conversation, the afternoon will be packed with an insightful lecture on the cutting-edge techniques of functional brain mapping. We'll wrap up with a fun and engaging campus field trip, offering everyone a chance to explore and relax. Get ready for a fantastic day full of learning and exploration!

9:00 - 9:30        Registration(Yuyu Zhang& Jiaqi Ding)

9:30 - 10:30      Welcoming & Opening Remarks(Guorong Wu & Zhengwu Zhang)

10:30 - 11:00     Break, Tea / Coffee

11:00 - 12:00     Coding & set up the computing environment (Jiaqi Ding & Andy Ackerman for Matlab)

12:00 - 13:30     Lunch

13:30 - 15:00     Lecture about functional brain mapping methods(Aysenil  Belger)

15:00 - 16:00     BRIC tour & Campus field trip (Angela High Creighton & Andy Ackerman)

Day 2(Tuesday, May 21): Dive into a fascinating morning with Zhengwu Zhang as he introduces classical machine learning techniques like regression, SVM, and more. Refresh with a tea break, then deepen your understanding of SBCI & HCP Data using the SBCI toolbox. After lunch, Andy Ackerman takes over with a session on Data Integration and inspecting results, followed by a fun-filled indoor Frisbee game to end the day on a high note. It’s a perfect mix of learning and leisure!

9:30 - 10:30      Introduction to classical machine learning techniques (regression, SVM, random forest,

                             PCA, VAE)(Zhengwu Zhang)

10:30 - 11:00     Break, Tea / Coffee

11:00 - 12:00     Lecture about SBCI & HCP Data (how to use the SBCI toolbox) (Zhengwu Zhang)

12:00 - 13:30     Lunch

13:30 - 15:30     Data Integration and how to inspect the result (Andy Ackerman)

15:30 - 17:30     Fun Activity: Indoor Frisbees(Andy Ackerman)

Day 3(Wednesday, May 22): Start your day immersed in the essentials of machine learning with Guorong Wu during our 'Machine Learning 101' session. Take a short break for some tea and coffee before diving into the advanced concepts of graph neural networks, also led by Guorong Wu. After a re-energizing lunch, Alana M. Campbell will enlighten you with an engaging EEG lecture. Another quick tea break will set the stage for an application session with Guorong Wu, where theory meets practice. Cap off an intellectually stimulating day with a lively indoor basketball game, a great way to unwind and bond with fellow attendees!

9:30 - 10:30      Machine learning 101  (Guorong Wu)

10:30 - 11:00     Break, Tea / Coffee

11:00 - 12:00     Graph neural network (Guorong Wu)

12:00 - 13:00     Lunch

13:00 - 14:00     EEG lecture(Alana M. Campbell)

14:00 - 14:30     Break, Tea / Coffee

14:30 - 15:30     Application (Guorong Wu)

15:30 - 17:30     Fun Activity: Indoor Basketball Game (Guorong Wu)

Day 4(Thursday, May 23): Begin your day with Shankar Bhamidi as he delves into the surprising phenomena in the mathematics of network models. Follow this with an engaging Human Connectome Hackathon, where you'll work closely with mentors to tackle real-world challenges. Enjoy brief breaks for tea, coffee, and lunch to refresh and connect with peers. The hackathon resumes after lunch, providing further opportunities to explore innovative approaches to understanding the human connectome alongside experienced mentors. This packed day is perfect for gaining hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge in a collaborative, dynamic setting.

9:30 - 10:30   Surprising phenomenon in the math of network models (Shankar Bhamidi)
10:30 - 11:30  Human connectome hackathon (with mentors)
11:30 - 12:00  Break, Tea / Coffee
12:00 - 13:30  Lunch
13:30 - 16:30  Human connectome hackathon (with mentors)

Day 5(Friday, May 24): Start the day by preparing for the group presentations, setting the stage for a showcase of collaborative work and individual insights. After a quick coffee break, dive into the heart of the day with individual and group presentations, allowing each group 20 minutes to impress and share their findings. Wrap up the morning session with a group lunch, providing a perfect opportunity to relax, network, and discuss the presentations over a meal!

9:30 - 10:00      Prepare for group presentations

10:00 - 11:00     Neurofunctional mapping of risk for psychosis(Aysenil  Belger)

11:00 - 11:30     Break, Tea / Coffee

11:30 - 13:00     Individual and group presentations (20 mins per group)

Location and address

Genome Sciences Building , 1th floor, G010

250 Bell Tower Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Participants

Who Should Apply

This program is ideal for undergraduates, graduates, and postdocs who are eager to advance their expertise in neuroscience data analysis. Students who apply to our summer camp must be

- In good academic standing at their college or university

- Have completed some data structures and computer programming courses

- Available full-time during the program

- Prior research experience, demonstrated strong programming capability or mathematical capability is a plus

 

Students from underrepresented minority groups in STEM, including those from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) or Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs), are strongly encouraged to apply.

Financial Support Available

We are committed to making our Network Data Analysis and Neuroscience Summer Camp accessible to all passionate individuals. To this end, we offer financial aid  for eligible participants.​

Assistance is available to cover part of the cost of participation for those demonstrating financial need or outstanding merit. Indicate your interest in your application.

Deadline

April 1, 2024, 11:59 PM EST

Privacy Agreement

We understand and agree that the information collected by this application will be kept confidential and will only be used for the purpose of the volunteer recruitment process for the Connectome Data Analysis and Neuroscience Summer Camp.

Thanks for submitting!

UNC EDUCATION PROGRAM OF
INTELLIGENCE AND CONNECTOMICS

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