Mathematical Modeling in Neuroscience by Prof. Jennifer Crodelle, Middlebury College

Mathematical Modeling in Neuroscience: Neuronal Networks and their Functional Roles by Prof. Jennifer Crodelle, Middlebury College, Friday May 2, 1:00 – 1:50pm, North Science Building 015, Wachenheim, Faculty Seminar

Neural connections are the foundation of how the brain processes sensory information and generates behavior. To understand both healthy brain function and neurological disorders, it’s crucial to study how these networks emerge during development and how they contribute to functional dynamics in the mature brain. Because it’s difficult to measure these connections directly in experiments—especially during early development—mathematical modeling has become a powerful tool for gaining insight. In this talk, I will present two projects that use different modeling approaches to explore how neural connectivity influences network-level dynamics and computation: one focuses on the spinal cord, and the other on the developing visual system. These models illustrate how mathematical analysis can provide insights into the formation and function of complex neural circuits.

This talk counts for colloquium credit.