NPC Podcast #6

Our Noisy Brain with Dr. Stefan Mihalas

Dr. Mihalas received his Diploma in physics and M.S. in mathematics from West University of Timisoara in Romania, and subsequently, he received his Ph.D. in physics from the California Institute of Technology. Stefan Mihalas joined the Allen Institute in 2011 from Johns Hopkins University, where he was a postdoctoral fellow in neuroscience and subsequently an associate research scientist. As a computational neuroscientist, he has worked on models of both molecular and systems neuroscience, including nervous system development, synaptic plasticity, minimalistic spiking neuron models, self-organized criticality, visual attention, and figure ground segregation. His current research interests are aimed at building models to elucidate how large networks of interacting neurons produce cognitive behaviors.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Stefan Mihalas, an associate research scientist at the Allen Institute, working on models of both molecular and systems neuroscience. We talk about his journey from being a physicist transitioning into a computational neuroscience focus, his philosophy on the current state of neuroscience, as well as how incredible the human brain’s mechanisms are.

🔬 Whether you’re a neuroscientist, engineer, or just curious about brain function, this episode is packed with insights on the future of neuroscience and the importance of crossing disciplinary boundaries.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

00:57 Welcome

02:06 Guest Self-introduction

05:13 Interest in Neuroscience?

06:14 String Theory to Neuroscience?

09:58 Challenges in Scientific Questions?

11:44 Networks and Cognitive Behavior?

14:26 Experience at Allen Institute?

18:59 The ONE Question in Biology?

24:07 Favorite Level of Data?

25:17 Thoughts on Precision Medicine?

26:41 Thoughts on AI Buzz?

28:26 A Discussion on Intelligence

36:00 Interdisciplinary Insights?

39:53 Hallucinations in AI?

43:39 Dream Model or Simulation?

44:20 Changed Mind from 10 Years Ago?

45:06 Advice to Students?

47:03 How Do You Recharge?