Codes of the Brain

How does your brain store information? Seeing, learning a name, paying attention in class, dreaming: the brain uses different codes for all. In this studio, we will explore the “codes” used by the brain and how we can measure and decode this information. We will look at how information is stored from the most basic levels in single neurons all the way to how awareness can be measured across the whole brain. We will explore how the unique structure of the brain enables these codes. Students will design, conduct, and present experiments related to sleep, attention, or relaxation using cutting-edge consumer products that measure human brain waves in real time.

Michael Sidorov

Ph.D., Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT

Michael Sidorov is a neuroscience Ph.D. student in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT. He studies the molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity (the strengthening and weakening of synapses) and Fragile X syndrome in mice. Although Fragile X syndrome accounts for only a small percentage of all cases of autism, it may be a useful model to better understand the biology of autism in general. Outside of the lab, Mike is a semi-professional wiffleball player and avid sports fan.

David Wang

PhD, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, MIT

David Wang is a PhD student in the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL), where his current research focuses on planning for autonomous systems. The goal of which is to be able to command a system via high level commands such as goals it must accomplish and have the system determine the appropriate course of action. For his masters, he studied techniques for improving software-reliability. Outside of work, he pursues a wide variety of interests, from building robots and planes to teaching. He was an organizer for the 6.270, Lego Robotics Competition for 3 years, and helped teach a variety of computers, programming, and algorithm courses over 5 years. He holds degrees in Aeronautics/Astronautics and Electrical Engineering/Computer Science from MIT.

Sean Stevens

Alternative Energy Artist, Scientist

Since Sean was six years old, he has always taken things apart to see how they worked. This innate curiosity about how things work lead him to explore computer programming, human perception, robotics, alternative energy, Sound, lighting, LASERs, Interactivity, the internet, and how it can all tie into community. He discovered that most complex systems can be considered to be made of modules. With the right input and output, these modules can be made to act independently.
Recombined in new ways, the modules can create new and interesting things. Working with systems in this way allows us to create faster, since we don’t necessarily have to understand the modules on every level to use them. Sean is currently working on lowRes, a primarily human powered, large scale, mobile, modular, interactive art piece. With lowRes, Sean hopes to create something that is enjoyable, but when you think about it really makes a statement.

Links:
Sean Stevens
Sustainable Sound