Simons Computational Neuroscience Imbizo
An annual summer course in computational neuroscience & neuro AI. Boosting African neuroscience by IBRO @ibroorg.bsky.social and the Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org. imbizo.africa
- From Kalman filters to visual illusions! 🌀📉 Yesterday, Cycle 3 director Prof. Xaq Pitkow from Carnegie Mellon Univ took us on a mathematical journey. He discussed how optimal estimation can lead to perceptual biases. A brilliant, interactive session. 🧠 @simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social
- Week 3 is underway! 🚀 On Mon, we kicked off the final cycle with a fantastic talk by Nyalleng Moorosi from the Distributed AI Research Institute. She talked about the critical topic of inductive biases in neural networks. A perfect start to the week! 🧠📉 @simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social
- We concluded Cycle 2 with a bang on Saturday! 💥 Dr. @athenaakrami.bsky.social delivered an incredible lecture on Hopfield networks and attractor dynamics. From memory storage and neural attractors to prior experience, it was the perfect end to the week.🧠📉 @simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social
- How do we learn? Is it just rewards, or is it something more? 🤔 Yesterday, Prof. Jonathan Shock from UCT took us through a fascinating route to curiosity, sociability, and active inference. Unpacking the math behind learning and survival 📉🌍 @simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social
- Science is more than coding, equations, and experiments. It’s about the people doing the science. 🌍🤝 Adrienne introduced the Gender Discussion taking place tomorrow. Making space for the hard, necessary conversations to build a more inclusive community. @simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social
- A masterclass in communication. 📢 Thank you to our TA Will Dorrell for guiding us through the art of writing papers and giving talks. These are the skills that turn good research into impactful science. Thanks, Will! 🙌 @ibroorg.bsky.social @simonsfoundation.org
- We just finished a tremendous session led by the amazing Prof. Sara Solla from Northwestern Univ. She took us on a journey through the beauty of neural manifolds and beyond. Finding geometry in high-dimensional data! 📉✨ @ibroorg.bsky.social @simonsfoundation.org @sasolla.bsky.social
- Yesterday, we had the privilege of hosting @blaiseaguera.bsky.social, CTO of Technology & Society at Google, for a special guest lecture. He unpacked the complex history of intelligence: from biological evolution to artificial systems. A mind-expanding session for everyone at #Imbizo2026! 🇿🇦🧠
- Yesterday, we dove deep into Generalized Linear & Latent Variable models with Prof. Pillow @jpillowtime.bsky.social from Princeton Univ. Today, we shifted gears to Neuroengineering with Prof. Felix Deku, Univ. Oregon, exploring Brain-Computer Interfaces. @simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social
- Recharged and ready!🔋 After a massive first week and a well-deserved day off surfing🏄♂️ and visiting the penguins🐧, we are back in the classroom. We are thrilled to kick off Cycle 2 today with Prof. Adrienne Fairhall as our Academic Director. @ibroorg.bsky.social @simonsfoundation.org #imbizo2026
- A massive shoutout to our incredible mentors and TAs! 🙌 They delivered 6 wonderful tutorials. Their energy and dedication make this school special. 💻🧠 🇿🇦 @spiroschav.bsky.social | Will Dorrell | @kiradust.bsky.social | @isabelmaria-c.bsky.social | @colleenjg.bsky.social | @rherzoga.bsky.social
- Yesterday, we continued our deep dive into the dopaminergic system with Profs @arifahamid.bsky.social and Michael Frank. 🧠⚡️ Today, we switched gears! Dr Dorit Hockman from UCT is leading a fascinating session on gene expression in the brain. 🧬 @simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social #imbizo2026
- Today, our Cycle 1 Academic Director, Prof Arif Hamid @arifahamid.bsky.social from Univ of Minnesota, talked about the neural basis of reinforcement learning. Then, Prof Michael Frank from Brown Univ. talked about tuning striatal dopaminergic signals. 🧠 @simonsfoundation.org @ibroorg.bsky.social
- Another day in #imbizo2026. Dr. Thomas Tagoe from University of Leicester in Ghana discussed the various types of synaptic plasticity.
- Our own Prof. Joseph Raimondo @joeraimondo.bsky.social from UCT is talking about ions, membranes and spikes. Yesterday, Prof. Rachael Dangarembizi from UCT talked about the brain's anatomy giving us an inspirational talk on her scientific journey. #imbizo2026
- Reposted by Simons Computational Neuroscience Imbizo@arifahamid.bsky.social kicking off Imbizo 2026 in Cape Town! Time for comp neuro epicness in Africa! @simonsfoundation.org @imbizo.bsky.social @ibroorg.bsky.social
- This is the moment of the year we’ve been waiting for! 🌍🧠 We are thrilled to welcome you to Noordhoek, Cape Town, for another amazing Imbizo school. Can't wait to gather, share knowledge, and dive deep into computational neuroscience! Let the learning begin! 🇿🇦✨ #imbizo2026
- 🎉🚨 Extended Application Deadline! Now July 16, 2025! If you want to learn about the brain💻🧠in the amazing Noordhoek, Cape Town🇿🇦, apply. What to Do Next: Finalise and submit applications before the deadline: imbizo.africa/apply/ Please spread the news. Don’t miss out!
- The countdown begins! Just 1 week left (July 1) to apply for Imbizo! Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience life in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. Join us for an unforgettable adventure! More info and apply: imbizo.africa/apply/ #Imbizo2026 #CompNeuro
- Want to spend 3 weeks in South Africa for an unforgettable summer school experience? Imbizo 2026 (imbizo.africa) student applications are OPEN! Lectures, new friends, and Noordhoek beach await. Apply by July 1! More info and apply: imbizo.africa/apply/ #Imbizo2026 #CompNeuro
- 🌟Exciting news! Student applications for the #Imbizo 2026 open May 1! Stay tuned for more!🌍 🔗 Details: imbizo.africa #Africa #CapeTown #CompNeuro
- Reposted by Simons Computational Neuroscience ImbizoIt feels so good to see Imbizo students doing great things! @imbizo.bsky.social #imbizo
- Last year, Jessica Oparebea was joined students from across the African continent at @trendcamina.bsky.social - a computational neuroscience workshop. Inspired by her experience, she is hosting her own webinar to help others. Dive deeper into her journey: alleninstitute.org/news/jessica...
- Reposted by Simons Computational Neuroscience Imbizo[Not loaded yet]
- Reposted by Simons Computational Neuroscience ImbizoA bit late, but just to say how lucky I feel that I could spend a week at #Imbizo2025 summer school @imbizo.bsky.social, hanging out w/ this group of absolutely brilliant students, their dedicated TAs & other faculty. Watch out for this pool of talent! & consider applying/contributing next rounds
- 🎉 Exciting day at #Imbizo2025! Dr. Dan Wetmore & Dr. Garrick Orchard from Meta’s Reality Labs shared their industrial insights on designing top-notch AI/ML experiments, including innovative BCI applications 🤖💡 Students showcased creative solutions for EMG, sleep, wind, epilepsy monitoring & more! 🌟
- This sunny day☀️ in Cape Town🇿🇦, today's #imbizo2025 lecture we had Dr. Angeline Dukes @therealdrdukes.bsky.social, co-founder of #BlackInNeuro, presenting her journey to our students from 16 different countries, supporting the lesson that "Equity is an Action!"✊🏽✊🏿✊🏼✊🏾 #IBROawardee #IBROSupportedSchool
