Date/Time
Date(s) - 08/31/2009
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

The first half of my talk will focus on introduction to the relatively new area of inquiry in brain research that aims to utilize mathematical models and computer simulations with the aim of illustrating dynamical principles underlying brain function. I will primarily focus on different scales of quantitative modeling approaches to exploring brain function.
Second half of my talk will focus on two areas of scientific inquiry using tools presented in the first half of my presentation. The first area of inquiry deals with the development of a simple (and a complex version) of a quantitative model to test specific hypothesis derived from experimental observations in an experimental animal model of temporal lobe epilepsy.  The second area of investigation deals with theoretical analysis of a simple network model of coupled neurons aimed at providing insights into the mechanisms of synchrony in more realistic biological networks.