The Provost Lecture Series 14

Date: March 25, 2024

Speaker: Professor Yoko Yazaki-Sugiyama, Neuronal Mechanism for Critical Period Unit 

Title: Singing in the brain: learning to vocalize by communicating with others during development

Chair: Professor Jeff Wickens, Neurobiology Research Unit

Abstract:

Like humans learning to speak, songbirds learn to sing by socially communicating with tutors during their developmental period. Both types of learning do not require guidance, rewards or punishments, but are innate to each species and induced by hearing the vocalizations by adults of their own species. Our lab, Neuronal Mechanism for Critical Period unit, has been investigating cell, neuronal circuit and system mechanisms of innate songbird learning from auditory experience, including how birds detect their own species song, learn intensively with vocal communication, and learn exclusively during developmental critical periods. In this talk, I will present our lab recent works for understanding the underlying neuronal mechanism for memory formation of auditory experience of tutor singing and auditory memory guided vocal motor mimicking.

Venue: Sydney Brenner Lecture Theater B250

Time:

16:00- 17:00: Introduction, Lecture and Q&A

17:00-17:30 Teatime

Seminar video link   　

The Provost Lecture Series will provide an opportunity to celebrate milestones in the careers of OIST faculty members. It will recognize newly promoted professors and those who have received prestigious awards. It will highlight faculty achievements and create a space for retiring professors to talk about their research accomplishments and lessons learned over the course of their career. It is a way to celebrate OIST faculty, introduce them to the broader OIST community, acknowledge their research successes, share about their teaching and mentorship of students, and honor their service to the university.

Contact: Office of the Provost　Email: provost_office@oist.jp