Upcoming ION Seminars
In this talk, I will examine the computational motivations and empirical evidence for spatiotemporal dopamine (DA) waves that support reward learning within fronto-striatal networks. I will focus on the cognitive striatum as a case study to show that DA waves tailor decision signals according to local computational/behavioral specialty-- accomplished via vector-weighting delays in DA pulses across space and time. This code resolves key computational challenges in competing C-BG mixture of experts: spatiotemporal credit assessment at reward, and dynamic reprioritization of circuit inference and gating during performance. Ultimately, these DA wave dynamics represent an empirically informed revision of the longstanding "global broadcast" hypothesis of DA RPE signals. Finally, I will briefly summarize our recent attempts at understanding the complexity of the DA wave manifold, and competitive/collaborative circuit interactions that constrain DA to motif trajectories during specific task demands.
Abstract: Bats are highly social animals with complex vocal communication systems supporting navigation and social interactions. My research investigates the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying social cohesion, auditory perception, and communication in bats. From a neuropathological perspective, integrating behavioral ecology with neural systems approaches, my lab explores fundamental questions such as how bats recognize roost mates and how this may influence roost fidelity, how hierarchical social structures form, and how context shapes responses to communication sounds. To explore these questions we employ a multidisciplinary approach, combining behavioral assays, electrophysiological recordings, neuroanatomical mapping, and computational modeling; spanning both controlled laboratory settings and field environments. In this talk, I will provide an overview of our recent advances and strategies to answer these questions and discuss how our work provides key insights into the neural mechanisms and behavioral ecology of auditory communication in mammals.
2025 UO Undergraduate Research Symposium
Undergraduates, register by April 17, 2025 to present!
This academic year will host a series of virtual and in person seminars with live, remote access via Zoom. ION Seminars are open to the University of Oregon community and in person attendance is welcome. In person seminars will be held in Willamette 110 at 4 PM PT where both attendees and speakers are required to follow University of Oregon guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Please visit coronavirus.uoregon.edu for more information.
To accommodate remote speakers and time differences, some seminars may be offered at Noon PT or another agreed upon time. For students taking BI 407/507 Neuroscience Seminar please contact the course instructor to access recordings as needed.
Details for upcoming seminars will be shared here on the ION website as well as through our ION mailing lists. Links for remote access via Zoom will be available only through ION Seminar mailing list and those not on the list can request access by contacting Jenna Penny with their uoregon.edu email address.