David Barrett

barrett@gatsby.ucl.ac.uk




The goal of my research is to discover how computations are implemented in neural networks. My approach is to study computation and network dynamics together, to ask: what do computations tell us about network properties, and what do networks tell us about difficult computations?



Education

Ph.D, Computational Neuroscience, University College London, 2007 - present

M.Sc, Mathematical Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, 2006 - 2007

B.A. (Mod) in Theoretical Physics, Trinity College Dublin, 2002 - 2006




Publications:

Fisher Information in Balanced Networks

D.G.T. Barrett and P.E. Latham

in preparation



Sparse Coding of Birdsong and Receptive Field Structure in Songbirds

G. Greene, D.G.T. Barrett, K. Sen and C.J. Houghton,

Network:Computation in Neural Systems 20:(3)162-177 (2009) pdf



Taking Plateau into Microgravity: The Formation of an Eightfold Vertex in a System of Soap Films

D.G.T. Barrett, S. Kelly, E.J. Daly, M.J. Dolan, W. Drenckhan, D. Weaire and S. Hutzler

Microgravity Science and Technology 20:17-22 (2008) pdf



Sparse Coding: from natural sounds to music

D.G.T. Barrett

M.Sc Thesis, Trinity College Dublin (2007)



Sequential Deposition on Close Packed Structures

D.G.T. Barrett

Dissertation, Trinity College Dublin (2006)



Conference Presentations:

Differentiation in balanced networks D.G.T. Barrett and P.E. Latham, Computational and Systems Neuroscience Meeting (CoSyNe) (2011)

Fisher Information in a Balanced Network, D.G.T. Barrett and P.E. Latham, Society for Neuroscience 40th Annual Meeting (SFN), November (2010)

Fisher Information in Correlated Networks, D.G.T Barrett, P.E. Latham, Computational and Systems Neuroscience Meeting (CoSyNe) (2010)

Fisher Information in Asynchronous Networks, D.G.T. Barrett and P.E. Latham, Spike Train Metric Workshop (2010)

The Statistics of Brain Activity, D.G.T. Barrett, Joint Irish Mathematical Society/British Mathematical Colloquium (2009) (talk)

Computing Correlations Analytically, D.G.T Barrett, P.E. Latham, Computational and Systems Neuroscience Meeting (CoSyNe) (2009)

Computing Correlations Analytically, D.G.T. Barrett and P.E. Latham, Mathematical Neuroscience Meeting, International Centre for Mathematical Sciences (2009)

Sparse Coding of Zebra Finch Song, D.G.T. Barrett, C Houghton, K. Sen, Young Physiologists Symposium (2008)

The Formation of an Eightfold Vertex in a System of Soap Films, D.G.T. Barrett, S. Kelly, E.J. Daly, M.J. Dolan, British Association Science Festival (2005)



Invited Talks:

Center for Theoretical Neuroscience, Columbia University, “Information in Balanced Networks” (2011)

Mathematical Neuroscience Lab, Trinity College Dublin, “Information in Asynchronous Networks” (2010)

School of Mathematics Internship Program, Trinity College Dublin, “Applied Mathematics: from physics to neuroscience” (2010)

HUJ/Columbia/Gatsby Annual Meeting, University College London “Computing Correlations Analytically” (2009)

Mathematical Society of Trinity College Dublin, “Music and the Brain” (2008)

University of Limerick Mathematics Consortium, “Sparse Coding of Zebra Finch Song” (2007)

European Space Agency Research and Technology Centre, Netherlands, “Foam Experiments in Microgravity “ (2005)



Other Publications:

TCD Students Perform Experiments in Microgravity

D.G.T. Barrett

Science Spin Ireland 11 (2005)





Teaching:

Theoretical Neuroscience, Gatsby, UCL 2009-2010 link

Calculus, TCD School of Mathematics, 2006-2007

Advanced Mechanics, TCD School of Mathematics 2005-2006 link

Undergraduate Mathematics, TCD School of Mathemates 2005-2007 link





Contact Address:

Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit

University College London

Alexandra House

17 Queen Square

London, WC1N 3AR



Last updated March 2011