[gov3009-l] Applied Stats Workshop TOMORROW (3/27) - Michael Levin

Dear workshop community, We will convene for the Harvard University Applied Statistics Workshop (Gov 3009) TOMORROW on Wednesday (3/27). The speaker is* Michael Levin *(Tufts University) who will be presenting his work, "Decision-making without brains: how biological systems process information". *Where:* CGIS Knafel Building, Room K354 (see this link <https://map.harvard.edu/?bld=04471&level=9> for directions). *When: *Wednesday, March 27th at 12 noon - 1:30 pm. *Abstract: * The cognitive powers of the brain evolved from much more ancient processes in which cells, tissues, and even molecular networks had to make decisions to optimize their function in a challenging world. In this talk, I will discuss the field of primitive cognition, focusing on a number of examples in which non-neural biological systems process information and make decisions. These include a) cells during embryogenesis, regeneration, and cancer, b) unicellular organisms such as slime molds, and c) synthetic organisms. I will also discuss non-neural bioelectricity - an ancient precursor to brain function, which enables collectives of cells to cooperate toward large-scale goals. Implications of our work to crack the bioelectric code extend from regenerative medicine to synthetic bioengineering and even artificial intelligence. *All are welcome! Lunch is provided! * Best, Connor Jerzak Applied Statistics Workshop -- Graduate Student Coordinator An anonymous feedback form for the workshop can be found here at this link <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScp4lPVBtp4Akf6K6ggmfcTUSIUHEJX89-CU8HWrQPpe9pjTw/viewform?usp=sf_link>. Workshop listserv sign-up at this link <https://lists.fas.harvard.edu/mailman/listinfo/gov3009-l>.