OIST Neuroscience Symposium 2025

The field of neuroscience is advancing rapidly, and OIST is uniquely positioned with diverse research units spanning molecular, computational, systems, and behavioral neuroscience. To take full advantage of this diversity, a proposal to organize the first (internal-only) OIST Neuroscience Symposium was initiated by researchers and students. This symposium will serve as a platform not only to learn about ongoing research across labs, but also to:

  1. exchange ideas across disciplines and foster cross-unit discussions.
  2. share career development opportunities and highlight achievements across all career stages.
  3. strengthen community connections among students, postdocs, staff scientists, technicians, and faculty.
  4. consolidate knowledge on common techniques and tools, encouraging shared resources and collaborations.
  5. celebrate the achievements of the OIST neuroscience community.

Following encouraging discussions with several faculty members, a survey was conducted among the broader neuroscience community at OIST. The responses were overwhelmingly positive, confirming strong interest in hosting such an event and providing valuable input on the desired format and priorities. As this symposium is led by researchers and students, we hope it can serve as a model for supporting bottom-up academic engagement on campus.

Participating Research Units

  • Biological Nonlinear Dynamics Data Science Unit
  • Cognitive Neurorobotics Research Unit
  • Computational Neuroethology Unit
  • Computational Neuroscience Unit
  • Developmental Neurobiology Unit
  • Embodied Cognitive Science Unit
  • Human Developmental Neurobiology Unit
  • Memory Research Unit
  • Molecular Neuroscience Unit
  • Neural Circuit Unit
  • Neural Coding and Brain Computing Unit
  • Neural Computation Unit
  • Neurobiology Research Unit
  • Neuronal Mechanism for Critical Period Unit
  • Neuronal Rhythms in Movement Unit
  • Optical Neuroimaging Unit
  • Sensory and Behavioral Neuroscience Unit
  • Synapse Biology Unit
    ...and more

Symposium Organizing Team

Gideon A. Sarpong, Wickens Unit                                Pedro Rafael Lopes Castelhanito, Reiter Unit
Miyu Nambu, Wickens Unit                                          Kang-Yu Chu, Wickens Unit
Maria Ines De Sa Ribeiro, Fukunaga Unit                      Paulette Garcia Andaluz, Goda Unit
Suteera Vibulyaseck, Kazu Unit                                    OIST Neuroscience Club
Henrique Carlos Oyama, Tani Unit