Dear workshop community,
We will convene for the Harvard University Applied Statistics Workshop (Gov
3009) next week 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>.
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