Understanding the computational power of the brain is the focus of a conference in Santa Fe next week sponsored by Los Alamos National Laboratory's Center for Nonlinear Studies and the New Mexico Institute for Advanced Studies (NMIAS). The Grand Challenges in Neural Computation conference, which runs from February 19-21 at the La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa, will bring together leading scientists in the fields of computer science, neuroscience, biophysics and cognitive science.
"The conference includes a wide range of people whose goal is exploring and understanding how the brain perceives the world and performs calculations that far exceed the capabilities of the world's largest computers," said Garrett Kenyon of Biophysics Group at Los Alamos and one of the meeting organizers. "We want to look ahead to how we can apply what we are learning, both to improve biomedical knowledge and practice and to allow computing to mimic the function of the human brain."
Keynote speakers at the conference include John Hopfield, president of the American Physical Society and a pioneer in the development of artificial neural systems, and David Van Essen, president of the Society for Neuroscience, and an international leader in the study of visual processing by the brain. Over 20 other internationally recognized speakers will present their research results and discuss where science end technology needs to progress in order to better understand how the brain works.
"Unlike many scientific meetings that focus on what we already know, this conference will consider what else we need to know to accomplish important things for society: How do we build bionic systems to replace arms and legs, or to restore vision; how do we process the flood of video, satellite and other data to help insure the safety of soldiers in the field, or to thwart terrorist attacks" said Los Alamos' John George, another of the meeting's organizers.
The meeting will include a special session to chart the growth of the field of neuroscience in New Mexico. "New Mexico is approaching a critical mass in the neurosciences, especially if we consider the range of interests and expertise that exist throughout the state's research institutions. Unraveling the function of the brain is a major scientific challenge of our time, and represents an important opportunity for New Mexico," according to Rob Duncan, NMIAS director and a member of the conference's Advisory Committee.
More information about the conference is available at http://cnls.lanl.gov/neuralcomp/ online.
Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and the Washington Division of URS for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.