Marc Sommer
@neurocircuits.bsky.social
What is the brain?
Personal account, all views my own. Reposts meant as informative and not implying endorsement.
Personal account, all views my own. Reposts meant as informative and not implying endorsement.
I feel like a lot of young scientists in our field don't know about Neurotree. It's a fascinating resource and it's up to all of us to keep it up to date. Check it out if you haven't seen it before! And update it for yourself and others as career stages change. 🤓
By mapping connections among researchers, Neurotree makes it possible to trace how the field has evolved and to visualize how shifts in lab size, training and other factors can shape its direction, writes founder @stephenvdavid.bsky.social.
bit.ly/4od0SiL
#neuroskyence #StateOfNeuroscience
bit.ly/4od0SiL
#neuroskyence #StateOfNeuroscience
Tracing neuroscience’s family tree to track its growth
By mapping connections among researchers, Neurotree makes it possible to see how the field has evolved and what factors shape its direction.
www.thetransmitter.org
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I feel like a lot of young scientists in our field don't know about Neurotree. It's a fascinating resource and it's up to all of us to keep it up to date. Check it out if you haven't seen it before! And update it for yourself and others as career stages change. 🤓
Reposted by Marc Sommer
🚨 THRILLED to share Northeastern University is hiring a new Director for our human Siemens Prisma 3T MRI Center (Associate or Full Professor levels) who will join us as faculty in our Institute for Cognitive and Brain Health! Please share widely!
northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers/job/...
northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers/job/...
Associate Professor/Professor and Director, Northeastern University Biomedical Imaging Center
About the Opportunity About Northeastern: Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research (R1) university and the recognized leader in experience-driven lifelong learning. Our world-renowned experi...
northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:02 AM
🚨 THRILLED to share Northeastern University is hiring a new Director for our human Siemens Prisma 3T MRI Center (Associate or Full Professor levels) who will join us as faculty in our Institute for Cognitive and Brain Health! Please share widely!
northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers/job/...
northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers/job/...
Reposted by Marc Sommer
Not directly related to @neurograce.bsky.social’s comment here but to the thread: I am baffled by the number of people who seem to think the claim is that all brain computation is low-d vs. the *emprical* finding that task-related neural activity is (linear) low-d in many (not all) cases.
This kind of stuff is why I say that I worry that the tools of neuroscience are not properly vetted
“Our findings challenge the conventional focus on low-dimensional coding subspaces as a sufficient framework for understanding neural computations, demonstrating that dimensions previously considered task-irrelevant and accounting for little variance can have a critical role in driving behavior.”
November 24, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Not directly related to @neurograce.bsky.social’s comment here but to the thread: I am baffled by the number of people who seem to think the claim is that all brain computation is low-d vs. the *emprical* finding that task-related neural activity is (linear) low-d in many (not all) cases.
Reposted by Marc Sommer
Come on Konrad, why do you cave so easily? Here, let me try it for you:
1. Spikes are (to good approximation) the only events that matter.
2. Extracellular fields are one way by which spikes interact with each other.
1/2
1. Spikes are (to good approximation) the only events that matter.
2. Extracellular fields are one way by which spikes interact with each other.
1/2
As we are having a discussion on neural codes: @earlkmiller.bsky.social is entirely right that the "only spike rates matter" idea that is so prominent in neuroscience has no credible evidence. We simply do not currently know how neurons code relevant information. Oscillations are likely part of it.
November 21, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Come on Konrad, why do you cave so easily? Here, let me try it for you:
1. Spikes are (to good approximation) the only events that matter.
2. Extracellular fields are one way by which spikes interact with each other.
1/2
1. Spikes are (to good approximation) the only events that matter.
2. Extracellular fields are one way by which spikes interact with each other.
1/2
Reposted by Marc Sommer
For those in the early stages of their careers—who have not yet served on an NIH study section or held an R01-equivalent PI role—register as an Early Career Reviewer.
More information is available on the CSR website: public.csr.nih.gov/ForReviewers...
More information is available on the CSR website: public.csr.nih.gov/ForReviewers...
Early Career Reviewer (ECR) Program | NIH Center for Scientific Review
public.csr.nih.gov
November 20, 2025 at 2:55 AM
For those in the early stages of their careers—who have not yet served on an NIH study section or held an R01-equivalent PI role—register as an Early Career Reviewer.
More information is available on the CSR website: public.csr.nih.gov/ForReviewers...
More information is available on the CSR website: public.csr.nih.gov/ForReviewers...
Reposted by Marc Sommer
Re-upping this - Neuropeeps! We have a TT Job in my wonderful department at Brandeis! First consideration to applications received by Dec 15 (but why wait?)
www.nature.com/naturecareer...
www.nature.com/naturecareer...
Assistant Professor in Biology and Neuroscience Program - Waltham, Massachusetts (US) job with Brandeis University | 12848464
The Department of Biology and the Program in Neuroscience at Brandeis University invite applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor positio...
www.nature.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Re-upping this - Neuropeeps! We have a TT Job in my wonderful department at Brandeis! First consideration to applications received by Dec 15 (but why wait?)
www.nature.com/naturecareer...
www.nature.com/naturecareer...
Reposted by Marc Sommer
Siembra NC has a map with credible reports of ICE activity in the Triangle (and Charlotte). It initially loads Charlotte but you can scroll east. Scary but important information
ojonc.org
ojonc.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Siembra NC has a map with credible reports of ICE activity in the Triangle (and Charlotte). It initially loads Charlotte but you can scroll east. Scary but important information
ojonc.org
ojonc.org
Reposted by Marc Sommer
The fight has come to NC, and it just hit close to home. Our daughter teaches in Durham public schools and she said almost all of the Latinx kids are not in school today. ICE is targeting everyone who "looks Hispanic", citizen or not. I am even more angry today-kids need to go to school!
November 18, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The fight has come to NC, and it just hit close to home. Our daughter teaches in Durham public schools and she said almost all of the Latinx kids are not in school today. ICE is targeting everyone who "looks Hispanic", citizen or not. I am even more angry today-kids need to go to school!
Heads up, Raleigh area
www.wral.com/news/local/f...
www.wral.com/news/local/f...
Federal immigration agents plan Raleigh operations as early as Tuesday, mayor says
Federal immigration agents are on the ground in Raleigh and plan to conduct operations in the area as soon as Tuesday, according to Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell.
www.wral.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Heads up, Raleigh area
www.wral.com/news/local/f...
www.wral.com/news/local/f...
Reposted by Marc Sommer
We have two SfN presentations this morning, featuring star grad student 1st authors Grace DiRisio and Sylvia Durian. Cheng Xue is an author on both & not only is he an incredible scientist, he's also an incredible advertiser/communicator; check out his cartoons! x.com/_chengxue/st...
Cheng Xue on X: "#SfN25 How does the primate brain instantly recognize images? Humans can easily remember thousands of images after a single viewing. @GraceDiRisio @marlenecohen and I set out to find the core mechanisms in the visual cortex for this fast, high-capacity coding. https://t.co/hdrmmbvphf" / X
#SfN25 How does the primate brain instantly recognize images? Humans can easily remember thousands of images after a single viewing. @GraceDiRisio @marlenecohen and I set out to find the core mechanisms in the visual cortex for this fast, high-capacity coding. https://t.co/hdrmmbvphf
x.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:13 PM
We have two SfN presentations this morning, featuring star grad student 1st authors Grace DiRisio and Sylvia Durian. Cheng Xue is an author on both & not only is he an incredible scientist, he's also an incredible advertiser/communicator; check out his cartoons! x.com/_chengxue/st...
Reposted by Marc Sommer
FOMO FOMO FOMO enjoy the rain in San Diego everyone 😈
jk hope you all have a good SfN.
Enviously,
all us homebodies holding down the fort.
jk hope you all have a good SfN.
Enviously,
all us homebodies holding down the fort.
November 15, 2025 at 10:53 PM
FOMO FOMO FOMO enjoy the rain in San Diego everyone 😈
jk hope you all have a good SfN.
Enviously,
all us homebodies holding down the fort.
jk hope you all have a good SfN.
Enviously,
all us homebodies holding down the fort.
Reposted by Marc Sommer
NEW:
‘Unlawful coercion’: Trump can’t withhold funds or demand payment from UC, federal judge rules.
The judge has previously sided with UC scholars several times since June in halting Trump’s termination of science and health research funding. The latest ruling is arguably the most sweeping yet.
‘Unlawful coercion’: Trump can’t withhold funds or demand payment from UC, federal judge rules.
The judge has previously sided with UC scholars several times since June in halting Trump’s termination of science and health research funding. The latest ruling is arguably the most sweeping yet.
‘Unlawful coercion’: Trump can’t withhold funds or demand payment from UC, federal judge rules
A federal judge ruled Donald Trump cannot demand that UCLA pay a $1.2 billion settlement that would have restricted academic freedoms.
calmatters.org
November 15, 2025 at 1:18 AM
NEW:
‘Unlawful coercion’: Trump can’t withhold funds or demand payment from UC, federal judge rules.
The judge has previously sided with UC scholars several times since June in halting Trump’s termination of science and health research funding. The latest ruling is arguably the most sweeping yet.
‘Unlawful coercion’: Trump can’t withhold funds or demand payment from UC, federal judge rules.
The judge has previously sided with UC scholars several times since June in halting Trump’s termination of science and health research funding. The latest ruling is arguably the most sweeping yet.
This world is grossing me out
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
AI-generated poetry is indistinguishable from human-written poetry and is rated more favorably - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - AI-generated poetry is indistinguishable from human-written poetry and is rated more favorably
www.nature.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:06 AM
This world is grossing me out
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Have it on my turntable right now - so good.
#NowPlaying
@jefftobias.bsky.social - One Hundredfold Now in This Age
jefftobias.bandcamp.com/album/one-hu...
@jefftobias.bsky.social - One Hundredfold Now in This Age
jefftobias.bandcamp.com/album/one-hu...
November 11, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Have it on my turntable right now - so good.
Reposted by Marc Sommer
Coming to San Diego for SfN and/or APAN? Come check out the intracranial work from the lab (7 posters)! There's a bit of everything this year, so come say hello!
#Sfn2025 #Neuroscience #neuroskyence
@dukebrain.bsky.social @dukeneurosurgery.bsky.social @dukeengineering.bsky.social
#Sfn2025 #Neuroscience #neuroskyence
@dukebrain.bsky.social @dukeneurosurgery.bsky.social @dukeengineering.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Coming to San Diego for SfN and/or APAN? Come check out the intracranial work from the lab (7 posters)! There's a bit of everything this year, so come say hello!
#Sfn2025 #Neuroscience #neuroskyence
@dukebrain.bsky.social @dukeneurosurgery.bsky.social @dukeengineering.bsky.social
#Sfn2025 #Neuroscience #neuroskyence
@dukebrain.bsky.social @dukeneurosurgery.bsky.social @dukeengineering.bsky.social
Reposted by Marc Sommer
I'm on the academic job market!
I design and analyze probabilistic machine-learning methods---motivated by real-world scientific constraints, and developed in collaboration with scientists in biology, chemistry, and physics.
A few highlights of my research areas are:
I design and analyze probabilistic machine-learning methods---motivated by real-world scientific constraints, and developed in collaboration with scientists in biology, chemistry, and physics.
A few highlights of my research areas are:
November 7, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I'm on the academic job market!
I design and analyze probabilistic machine-learning methods---motivated by real-world scientific constraints, and developed in collaboration with scientists in biology, chemistry, and physics.
A few highlights of my research areas are:
I design and analyze probabilistic machine-learning methods---motivated by real-world scientific constraints, and developed in collaboration with scientists in biology, chemistry, and physics.
A few highlights of my research areas are:
Reposted by Marc Sommer
Motor control friends. I have an optotrak. It used to be $50k. I will never use it. Anyone need one?
November 6, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Motor control friends. I have an optotrak. It used to be $50k. I will never use it. Anyone need one?
Reposted by Marc Sommer
NCM is proud to offer meeting support awards for #NCMKobe26 again this year! The first round of applications are due Dec 1 and more information can be found on the website.
Please share with others in your community so we can support as many people as possible.
ncm-society.org/dive...
Please share with others in your community so we can support as many people as possible.
ncm-society.org/dive...
November 5, 2025 at 3:06 PM
NCM is proud to offer meeting support awards for #NCMKobe26 again this year! The first round of applications are due Dec 1 and more information can be found on the website.
Please share with others in your community so we can support as many people as possible.
ncm-society.org/dive...
Please share with others in your community so we can support as many people as possible.
ncm-society.org/dive...
Reposted by Marc Sommer
strange subterranean commotions
November 5, 2025 at 5:47 PM
strange subterranean commotions
Reposted by Marc Sommer
The psychology program at NYU Abu Dhabi has open rank open area positions in cognition-perception-cogneuro. Wonderful colleagues, excellent research infrastructure (incl MRI, MEG, EEG), close ties to NYU New York. Superfast growing part of the research world
apply.interfolio.com/175417
#neuroskyence
apply.interfolio.com/175417
#neuroskyence
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:11 PM
The psychology program at NYU Abu Dhabi has open rank open area positions in cognition-perception-cogneuro. Wonderful colleagues, excellent research infrastructure (incl MRI, MEG, EEG), close ties to NYU New York. Superfast growing part of the research world
apply.interfolio.com/175417
#neuroskyence
apply.interfolio.com/175417
#neuroskyence
Yep me tonight
November 1, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Yep me tonight
They're close. Put them over the top!
Anybody else worried that because of the long standing Republican war on SNAP people are going to experience painful hunger. Lets do something. @nanopharmnc.bsky.social and i are going to donate to some local nc food banks. Join us! Gonna match up to $500.
October 31, 2025 at 12:33 AM
They're close. Put them over the top!
This is such a well-written piece by Xiao-Jing. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the latest ideas about population coding in the brain, mice vs monkeys, sensory vs prefrontal areas, and distributed processing vs functional specialization. Very accessible to non-experts.
Bifurcations—an underexplored concept in neuroscience—can help explain how small differences in neural circuits give rise to entirely novel functions, writes Xiao-Jing Wang.
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/neural-dynam...
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/neural-dynam...
The missing half of the neurodynamical systems theory
Bifurcations—an underexplored concept in neuroscience—can help explain how small differences in neural circuits give rise to entirely novel functions.
www.thetransmitter.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:28 AM
This is such a well-written piece by Xiao-Jing. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the latest ideas about population coding in the brain, mice vs monkeys, sensory vs prefrontal areas, and distributed processing vs functional specialization. Very accessible to non-experts.