Neural Information and Coding Workshop (NICW)

March 1-4, 2003

Snowbird, Utah

PURPOSE

To bring together experimental and theoretical neuroscientists for a small (~70 people) intensive three day workshop. The emphasis will be on how new experimental and theoretical approaches can be combined to better understand neural coding. Topics include population coding, information theoretic analysis of coding, the possible importance of spike timing in neural transmission, and plasticity.


FORMAT

The format is the same as in previous years: morning sessions from 8-11:30, break to 5 pm, sessions from 7-9. Talks will be 35 minutes each, with 15 minutes for questions (by keeping the group small, we hope to encourage lively debates). There will also be two evening poster sessions.


ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Mayank Mehta (MIT)
Peter Latham (Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit)


LOCATION

Snowbird, Utah, about 30 miles from the Salt Lake City airport.


WHEN

Saturday March 1 (6 pm dinner, followed by an evening session) to Tuesday, March 4 (all day, including evening until 9 pm), March 4, 2003. There will be no sessions on Wednesday.


ABSTRACTS

Everyone is encouraged to present a poster. If you plan to present a poster and would like the abstract included in the program, please email it to Peter Latham (pel@ucla.edu) by February 15, 2003. If you are interested in presenting orally, please let us know by December 1, 2002; include a title and a short abstract. Oral presentations with a strong experimental component will be given preference. To minimize overlap, those who haven't presented in previous years will be given preference this year.

COSTS

$425 registration, which includes meals (dinner on Saturday; breakfast/lunch/dinner Sunday-Tuesday).
Approximately $165/night hotel, including tax (can accommodate 1-4 people).

Some travel grants will be available; please let us know if you need one.



REGISTRATION AND RESERVATION INFORMATION


The REGISTRATION FEE is collected in a separate account. Please send checks (payable to "Sorensen Travel") to the following address, or call to register by credit card (which will cost you an extra 4%). You can also call Sorensen Travel for discount airfares; ask for Nancy.

----------> Registration due Dec. 1, 2002.


ROOM RESERVATIONS: Call Snowbird, (800) 453-3000 or (801) 947-8220, or email them at cres@snowbird.com. Three things to keep in mind:
1. Mention that you're with the Neural Information and Coding Workshop.
2. You can (and probably should) book a shuttle from the airport when you make your reservations. It's $44 round trip.
3. We have the cheap rate through March 7, if you want to stay longer.

----------> Room registration MUST be made no later than Jan. 5, 2003. After that the rates skyrocket (think factors of 2).


MORE INFO

The conference will be held in the Cliff Lodge, which is right on the slopes. A car is not necessary, as there's really no place to go and there's a shuttle from the airport to the Cliff Lodge.

The Cliff Lodge is at about 8000 ft above sea level, and many people (including those in good physical condition) experience mild to moderate altitude sickness for the first few days. The prescription diuretic acetazolamide (Diamox) taken several days prior to arrival can prevent some of the symptoms. Bring the following paper to your physician: "High altitude sickness", Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics, 1992 Sep 4, 34(878):84-6.

For any and all information, contact Mayank Mehta (mayank@mit.edu).


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