TReND-CaMinA:
Computational Neuroscience
and
Machine learning in Africa
8-24th July 2024,
CMU-Africa campus, Kigali, Rwanda
An intensive entry level course to teach young African students and researchers the basics of computational neuroscience and machine learning
![image (11)](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/image-11.png)
NEW ON THIS EDITION!
Hands-on data analysis tutorial by researchers of the Allen Institute on their public datasets.
Over millions of years the nervous system has evolved into an extremely sophisticated computational machine. Understanding how it functions is fundamental if we are to overcome brain disease and cognitive impairments, develop future technologies and ultimately, comprehend our own existence.
Computational neuroscience aims to characterise brain operation using the language of mathematics, and to simulate its function using algorithmic principles. Machine learning uses statistical methods to infer patterns in data which can help us learn predictive relationships between natural or digital phenomena. Importantly, machine learning technologies have often drawn inspiration from computational principles extracted from biology and, conversely, have been used to interpret and model the brain.
During this course, we will give a basic introduction to these subjects in order to provide African students and researchers with a solid foundation from which they can further expand their horizons. The topics covered will include neurobiology, systems neuroscience, biophysical neural models, recurrent neural networks, dynamical systems, linear algebra, machine learning methods for neural data analysis, Bayesian statistics, deep learning and reinforcement learning.
A fundamental objective of the course will be to build a strong network of young, bright and enthusiastic African scientists to promote these world-changing fields across the African continent. Our overarching goal is to plant the seeds of a highly skilled future scientific cohort, trained in the disciplines that are radically transforming the way we interact in our world, and which are expected to trigger a global economic revolution.
![image_computation_neuroscience](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/image_computation_neuroscience.png)
Who can apply?
The course is targeted to master students and final year undergraduates in the natural sciences and engineering (eg. biology, neuroscience, chemistry, mathematics, physics, computer science, electrical engineering…). Highly motivated PhD students and young researchers who are interested in exploring this field will also be considered. Note that only African nationals can apply to the course.
What is the level of the school?
This TReND course will be an entry level course to the fields of computational neuroscience and machine learning, and will be an ideal preparation for tackling more advanced international courses such as the Imbizo course, and the Neuromatch Academy course. All teaching will be in English.
Do I need previous coding experience?
Previous coding exposure is required to make the most out of the course. For those with less experience, the course will start with a 1-day Python coding introduction adapted to the course needs in order to get all participants up to speed. Students with quantitative backgrounds will be expected to help their peers in their coding assignments. Likewise, students with biological backgrounds will be expected to help more technical students understand neuroscientific concepts.
What do I need to apply?
- Personal statement where you will answer specific questions about your background and your motivations.
- One-page CV.
- Two letters of recommendation.
How much does the course cost?
There is no cost for the course. Thanks to our generous sponsors, we will be able to cover the selected student’s round-trip airfare (economy) from a major international airport in their country to Rwanda (Kigali airport), accommodation, and meals.
Given this unique opportunity, we are seeking candidates with potential to be a fruitful long-term investment not only based on their prospective individual careers, but also based on how they may help advance the fields within the continent in the future.
We welcome all applicants regardless of their socioeconomic background, ethnicity, gender, etc.
For any further questions feel free to contact us at:
Confirmed course faculty
![Prof. Byron Yu](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Prof.png)
Prof. Byron Yu
Carnegie Mellon University
![Prof. Dan Goodman](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dan.png)
Prof. Dan Goodman
Imperial College London
![Dr. Abebe Geletu](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/abebe.png)
Dr. Abebe Geletu
AIMS Rwanda
![Dr. Saskia de Vries](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Saskia.png)
Dr. Saskia de Vries
Allen Institute
![Prof. Sossena Wood](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Prof_Sossena_Wood.png)
Prof. Sossena Wood
Carnegie Mellon University
![Dr. Carine Mukamakuza](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/DR-CARINE.png)
Dr. Carine Mukamakuza
CMU-Africa
![Dr. Laura Discroll](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Dr-laura.png)
Dr. Laura Discroll
Allen Institute
![Prof. Ahmed Biyabani](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/prof-Ahmed-Biyabani.png)
Prof. Ahmed Biyabani
CMU-Africa
![PROF. Felix Deku](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/FELIX-DEKU.png)
PROF. Felix Deku
University of Oregon
![Dr. Michael Buice](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/DR-MICHAEL.png)
Dr. Michael Buice
Allen Institute
![Dr. Eszter Vertes](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Dr.-Eszter-Vertes.png)
Dr. Eszter Vertes
DeepMind
![Dr. Jorge Aurelio Menendez](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Dr-jorge-aurelio.png)
Dr. Jorge Aurelio Menendez
Meta Reality Labs
![Prof. Kimberly Stachenfeld](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kimberly2.png)
Prof. Kimberly Stachenfeld
Columbia/DeepMind
![Dr. Carsen Stringer](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CARSEN-STRINGER.png)
Dr. Carsen Stringer
Janelia-HHMI
![Prof. Lea Duncker](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Dr-Lea.png)
Prof. Lea Duncker
Columbia University
Organizers TReND-CaMinA
![Dr. Saray Soldado-Magraner](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Dr.-Saray-Soldado-Magraner.png)
Dr. Saray Soldado-Magraner
University of California Los Angeles
![Tom George](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/image-4.png)
Tom George
University College London
![Dr. Joana Soldado-Magraner](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Dr.-Joana-Soldado-Magraner.png)
Dr. Joana Soldado-Magraner
Carnegie Mellon University
![DR. Artemis Koumoundourou](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Artemis.png)
DR. Artemis Koumoundourou
VIB-KU Leuven CBD / TReND in Africa
![Dr. Gabriela Michel](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Dr.-Gabriela-Michel.jpg)
Dr. Gabriela Michel
Janelia-HHMI
![Samyra Cury Salek](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Samyra.png)
Samyra Cury Salek
TReND in Africa
![Dr. Emmanuel Marquez-Legorreta](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Dr-Emmanuel.png)
Dr. Emmanuel Marquez-Legorreta
Janelia-HHMI
![Prof. Tim Brown](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/TIM-BROWN.png)
Prof. Tim Brown
CMU-Africa
Organizers Allen Institute tutorial
![Dr. Shawn Olsen](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Shawn.png)
Dr. Shawn Olsen
Allen Institute
![Prof. Eric Shea-Brown](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ERIC-SHEA.png)
Prof. Eric Shea-Brown
University of Washington
![Andrew Hickl](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Andrew.png)
Andrew Hickl
Allen Institute
![Prof. Adrienne Fairhall](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/DR-ADRIENNE.png)
Prof. Adrienne Fairhall
University of Washington
![Dr. John Phillips](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/John.png)
Dr. John Phillips
Allen Institute
![Dr. Emily Borsom](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Emily.png)
Dr. Emily Borsom
Allen Institute
Teaching team
![dr. Burak Gür](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Burak-Gur.jpg)
dr. Burak Gür
Johannes-Gutenberg-University of Mainz
![Mahmoud Elmakki](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mohamoud.png)
Mahmoud Elmakki
Champalimaud Center for the Unknown
![Po-Chen Kuo](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Po-Chen-Kuo.png)
Po-Chen Kuo
Allen Institute/University of Washington
![Tom Chartrand](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Tom-Chartrand.png)
Tom Chartrand
Allen Institute
![Dr. Marcus Ghosh](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Marcus.png)
Dr. Marcus Ghosh
Imperial College
![Arisema Mihretu](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Arisema-Mihretu.png)
Arisema Mihretu
CMU-Africa
![Patience Bwire](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Patience-Bwire.png)
Patience Bwire
CMU-Africa
![Gilgal Justice Ansah](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/image5.png)
Gilgal Justice Ansah
University of Pittsburgh
![Dr. Martino Sorbano](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Dr_Martino_Sorbano.png)
Dr. Martino Sorbano
ETH-Zurich
![Delphine Nyaboke](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Delphine-Nyaboke.png)
Delphine Nyaboke
CMU-Africa
![Abib Duut](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Abib-Duut.png)
Abib Duut
Francis Crick Institute London
![Luuk Hesselink](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Luuk-Hesselink.png)
Luuk Hesselink
Donders Institute
![Devon Jarvis](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Devon-Jarvis.png)
Devon Jarvis
University of the Witwatersrand
SPONSORS
![sponsor-ucl](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/unnamed-1.png)
![simons-foundation](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/simons-foundation.png)
![sainsburry](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sainsburry.png)
![sponsor-carnegie-institute](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/unnamed-3.png)
![sponsor-cnbc](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/unnamed-4.png)
![sponsor-meta](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/unnamed.png)
![hhmi](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/hhmi.png)
![carnegie2](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/carnegie2.png)
![allen institute](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/allen-institute.png)
![Deep-Mind](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Deep-Mind.png)
PARTNER INSTITUTIONS
![THE FRANCIS](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/THE-FRANCIS.png)
![CARNEGIE](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CARNEGIE.png)
![carnegie2](https://trendinafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/carnegie2.png)