Neurons, Nebulas, and New Crops: Computing the World Differently

When we think of computers, we picture laptops, desktops, or that one stubborn machine that only works when you threaten it. But as computational neuroscientists, we study a different kind of computer—the brain. What does our squishy, energy-efficient, often-distracted neural machine have in common with the silicon beasts on our desks? And what even makes something a computer? In this talk, we’ll take a fast-paced tour through humanity’s quest to formalize thinking, from ancient philosophy to modern AI, and how it led us to build machines that (sometimes) outthink us. Expect brainy jokes, existential questions—and no CAPTCHAs.

Pulsars are incredibly fast-spinning dead stars that somehow still emit light, even though they’ve exhausted their "generic" stellar fuel. What’s even more fascinating is that their emissions are incredibly precise. When first discovered, these enigmatic objects were even mistaken for alien signals and today, they’re earned the title of “cosmic lighthouses.” In my talk, I’ll introduce these fascinating compact objects, explore the techniques we use to find them, and discuss how they help us test the boundaries of known physics in the Universe.

Robots are increasingly being used in different aspects of agriculture. How to make robots perceive the agriculture scene better? Can they be used for automated yield monitoring and harvesting? Is it a sustainable strategy?