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Neural information and coding workshop 1997

March 16-March 20, 1997

Snowbird, Utah

PURPOSE

To bring together experimental and theoretical neuroscientists for a small (~60 people) intensive three day workshop similar to the one held last year at Jackson Hole (for program, see NIC96). The emphasis will be on how new experimental and theoretical approaches can be combined to understand neural coding better. Topics include information theoretic approaches; experimental approaches to understanding population coding (e.g. multi electrode recording); plasticity; and the possible importance of timing in neural transmission. Systems will range from invertebrates to monkeys.

FORMAT

The format is the same as last year: morning sessions from 8-12, ski break to 5 pm (non-skiers work or chat during this time), sessions from 6:30-9. Talks will be 40 minutes each, with 15 minutes for questions (by keeping the group small, we hope to encourage lively debates). There will also be one evening poster session.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Bill Bialek (NEC)
Christof Koch (Caltech)
Markus Meister (Harvard)
Chuck Stevens (Salk)

LOCATION

Snowbird Utah is about 20 miles from the Salt Lake City airport. Unlike Jackson Hole, transportation to SLC is convenient and cheap.

WHEN

From Sunday, March 16, 1997 (6 pm dinner, followed by an evening session) to Wednesday (all day, including evening until 9 pm), March 19, 1997. There will be no sessions on Thursday.

ABSTRACTS AND CONTENT

This workshop is by invitation only. Everyone invited is encouraged to present a poster. If you plan to present a poster and would like the abstract included in the program, please mail it to me no later than Feb. 15, 1997. If you are interested in presenting orally, please let me know as soon as possible, and include a title (and, if desired, a short abstract) to Tony Zador no later than Dec. 20, 1996. As last year, oral presentations with a strong experimental component will be given preference. To minimize overlap, people who gave oral presentations last year are discouraged from doing so again this year.

COSTS

Some travel grants may become available; please let me know if you really need one.

REGISTRATION AND RESERVATION INFORMATION

ROOM REGISTRATION through

We have set up a roommate bulletin board through our webpage, so that people who have a room or are looking for a roommate can post their preferences. You MUST reserve your room no later Jan. 12, 1997, as the rooms will not be held beyond this date.

The registration fee is collected in a separate account. Send checks to

Please make checks payable to "Sorensen Travel". They can also accept credit cards for a 3% surcharge. They also offer discount airfares for this conference through Delta, and would be happy to make all your travel arrangements (ask for 'Nancy').

MORE INFO

The conference will be held in the Cliff Lodge, which is right on the slopes. A car is neither necessary nor desirable, as there is a $17 shuttle from the airport to the Cliff Lodge. Snowbird is located in the High Rockies, sports stunning alpine scenery, and has some of the finest skiing in the United States. Skiing in mid-March should be suberb.

Note: The Cliff Lodge is at about 8000 ft above sea level, and many people (including those in good physical condition) experience mild to moderate altitude sickness for the first few days. The prescription diuretic acetazolamide (Diamox) taken several days prior to arrival can prevent some of the symptoms. Bring the following paper to your physician: "High altitude sickness", Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics, 1992 Sep 4, 34(878):84-6.

For any other information contact Tony Zador (zador@salk.edu).