Rachel Weldy
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Omar Ahmed
Co-Presenter: Zeng, Christine
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Psychology / LSA
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 4 – 2:40pm – 3:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Christine Zeng, Rachel Weldy, Danny Siu, Omar Ahmed
Presenter: 68
Abstract
While there is much research on how neurons and neural networks communicate, there are relatively few tools to help disseminate these concepts to undergraduate students in a simple, effective, interactive way. The purpose of this research is to develop such a tool that utilizes realistic representations of neurons in the retrosplenial cortex, a brain region critical for memory, learning, and navigation. This tool, named Neuropia, is a Javascript- and Python-based web application that can demonstrate a neuron’s physiological and morphological properties. This application operates in conjunction with Neuron, a simulation environment for building and using computational models of neurons and neural networks. Here, we implement 3-dimensional, interactive models of specific neuronal subtypes in the retrosplenial cortex to help highlight their unique features. These and other Neuropia simulations will help students understand cutting-edge neuroscience research concepts using simple, interactive, active learning tools.
Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, Interdisciplinary
