Data Clustering With Spiking Neurons

 

The goal of this research is to demonstrate how a system of integrate and fire (I&F) neurons can be used to perform a clustering task, relying on the fact that coupled I&F neural systems can exhibit staggered oscillations of neuronal cell assemblies.

 

Project Outcomes

  • To increase the confidence of women students and to help create a positive and empowering environment for women where they can continue to grow both professionally and personally.

  • The students will extend their mathematical background, enhance their computing skills and expertise by introducing them to state-of-the-art hardware and software in object-oriented technology, simulation and modeling.

  • The participating students will be introduced to team-based and cross-disciplinary research.

  • To help students prepare for graduate school and define career goals and to encourage them to pursue careers as research scientists.

  • To perform experiments with I&F neuron models in order to study the how the choice of parameters affect the shape of the spike gain function

  • To perform experiments with numerical methods and multi-compartment models in order to study the functional connection between the geometry of the neuron and the activity of the channels. The experimental analysis will help to understand the role of neuron geometrical complexity in synaptic integration.

  • Design of new spiking neurons based clustering procedures, which incorporate suitable metrics defining the distance functions for Euclidean and non- Euclidean feature space.

  • As for the most of the application problems, the clustering solution might not be unique, we will include a mechanism based on several different approaches, which will recommend the best classification for such cases.

  • The results will be submitted for possible presentation and publication at national conferences.