This panel discussion, featuring philosophers, psychologists, neuroscientists, AI experts, and artists, will explore the question: Being in the World Will AI ever have a soul? The conversation will be moderated by Francesco Fedele (Civil and Environmental Engineering, GT) and Ed Greco (Physics, GT) and include discussion of AI and the concept of the soul, creativity and human-AI distinctions, as well as consciousness, self-awareness and being.
Panelists:
Joel Thomas, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Agnes Scott College
Harald Thorsrud, Professor of Philosophy, Agnes Scott College
Madeleine Hackney, Associate Professor, Emory University School of Medicine
Mark Leibert, Professor of the Practice, School of Literature, Media, and Communications, Georgia Tech
Pamela Pollet, Academic Professional, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Tech
Dimitrios Psaltis, Professor, School of Physics, Georgia Tech
Audrey Sederberg, Assistant Professor, Psychology and Physics, Georgia Tech
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In psychology and neuroscience research, a host of behaviors fall under the cognitive umbrella: learning, perceiving the environment, storing memories, and making decisions are just a few. Much like binary code underpins complex computational processes, researchers have long been searching for the molecular mechanisms that enable cognition.
Farzaneh Najafi, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Biological Sciences(SBS) , recently received multiple awards that will enable her to dig deeper into the molecular origins of cognitive processes, with the help of interdisciplinary teams.
“If we want to understand cognition, we really have to start small: at the level of molecules, genes, and the genome, and then work our way up to systems, behavior, and cognition,” says Najafi. “Impactful discoveries happen when people from different disciplines come together and collaborate. That’s how we make real breakthroughs.”
Two of her recent awards stem from the third and final year of the Scialog: Molecular Basis of Cognition initiative. Funded by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA), the Frederick Gardner Cottrell Foundation, and the Walder Foundation, this initiative has provided 48 multidisciplinary teams with more than $2.4 million to advance this area of research.
“It’s exciting that Farzaneh has won not just one, but two team-based Scialog awards,” said SBS School Chair Jeffrey (Todd) Streelman. “Solving big problems in neuroscience often requires teams, and Farzaneh is well-placed to apply this in her research program.”
With additional funding from the Whitehall Foundation and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Najafi is set to lead several interdisciplinary projects to uncover the role of the cerebellum and neocortex (the brain’s outer layer) across distinct cognitive processes.
“At the end of the day, the goal is to develop effective therapeutics,” says Najafi, whose work has long aimed to better understand and treat psychiatric and neurological disorders. “To develop targeted treatments, we have to identify the molecules that are at the core of these cognitive processes.”
Deeper than thought
Throughout her career, Najafi has focused on how the brain makes and uses predictions to influence learning and behavior, with a particular focus on an area in the back of the brain called the cerebellum.
“Without those predictions, our perceptions and actions would be significantly delayed, which could impact our survival,” explains Najafi. “Learning happens when we update those predictions to better align with the world around us.”
Najafi will bring that cerebellar expertise to two collaborative teams with the Scialog initiative.
Working with researchers from Stanford University and Case Western Reserve University, one of Najafi’s Scialog projects will focus on how sleep deprivation alters the 3D structure of genetic material in different species’ cerebellum— and investigate potential mechanisms to reverse those changes.
Her second project, in collaboration with researchers from University of California San Francisco and Duke University, explores how the brain chemical norepinephrine affects cerebellar activity across species. This research aims to understand the cerebellum's role in behavioral flexibility and adaptation, revealing how these chemical signals influence various brain functions.
Working across disciplines
Formed at the October 2024 Scialog meeting, Najafi’s two collaborative teams are part of an RCSA initiativethat unites early career scientists in advancing basic science and developing high-risk, high-reward research projects. The Scialog: Molecular Basis of Cognition initiative, begun in 2022, annually gathered around 50 early career researchers to create collaborative proposals.
“The best part of the Scialog meeting was connecting with people from all kinds of disciplines. They worked with different species, used a variety of experimental and computational tools, and some attendees came from non-neuroscience backgrounds,” says Najafi. “I had no idea that these were the topics I was going to write about — they only came about because of the inspiring conversations I had at the meeting. I really loved the experience.”
Both Scialog teams are highly interdisciplinary, with researchers bringing expertise in different techniques and species to the team. Even within her own lab, Najafi attributes impactful research to interdisciplinary teams.
“The only way to solve big questions in neuroscience is through an interdisciplinary approach,” says Najafi, who is affiliated with two Interdisciplinary Research Institutes (IRI) at Georgia Tech: the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience and the Neuro Next Initiative, a nascent IRI in neuroscience and society. “What’s great about Georgia Tech is its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. With these research institutes, the infrastructure is already in place, and they're actively working to expand it.”
Unlock opportunities to engage in meaningful undergraduate research through "CoS Under the Scope: Finding Undergraduate Research Opportunities." This event is designed to guide students in navigating the process of finding and securing research opportunities. From identifying potential projects to connecting with faculty mentors, attendees will gain practical tips to jumpstart their research journey. Whether you're a first-year student exploring options or a seasoned student ready to dive deeper, this session will help you take the next step in your academic career.
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Join us for Deloitte Career Day, a unique event designed to connect Georgia Tech students with representatives from Deloitte Consulting.
Part One: Meet Deloitte Representatives
- When: 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Where: Bill Moore Success Center, President’s Suites (1st floor)
Engage with professionals from Deloitte during an afternoon tabling session. Explore career pathways and learn about the company's innovative projects.
No RSVP needed — just drop by before or after class!
Part Two: What Can I Do with My Georgia Tech Science Degree? – Deloitte Edition
- When: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- Where: John Lewis Student Center, Cypress Theater
Dive into an evening of career exploration! The program includes a Q&A panel featuring Deloitte employees and Georgia Tech alumni as well as a networking reception to connect directly with professionals. Dinner will be served!
You MUST RSVP for this event via Career Buzz.
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Discover how a Georgia Tech science degree can open doors to exciting career opportunities with state agencies in Georgia. This special panel event features representatives from various science-based agencies, including the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Behavioral Health, the Department of Soil and Water, and more. Attendees will gain insight into the critical roles these agencies play in advancing science and serving the community. Dinner will be served during the event, providing an excellent opportunity to network with professionals, explore career pathways, and learn about impactful work being done in your field.
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Join us for the premier Career Education event for the College of Sciences, the Students and Alumni Leadership Dinner. This 100% networking event connects current students with distinguished alumni, fostering meaningful conversations and professional connections. Share experiences, explore career paths, and expand your network in an engaging and supportive environment. Dinner will be served, offering an excellent setting to celebrate the power of the Georgia Tech College of Sciences community.
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Come join the Spatial Ecology and Paleontology Lab every Friday for Fossil Fridays!
Become a fossil hunter and help discover how vertebrate communities have changed through time. Experience firsthand what it is like to be a paleontologist, finding and identifying new specimens!
You will be picking and sorting 3,000 to 30,000-year-old fossil specimens from rock matrix that has been brought back from Natural Trap Cave, WY. These specimens are part of many research projects examining how the community of species living around Natural Trap Cave has changed since the extinction of the cheetahs, lions, dire wolves, mammoths, camels, horses, and other megafauna that used to live in North America.
You are welcome to participate anytime that is convenient, with no commitment necessary. In fact, you can drop in or leave anytime within the two-hour timeframe. All are welcome, so bring your friends!
For more information join the mailing list and/or contact Katie Slenker (kslenker3@gatech.edu) or Jenny McGuire (jmcguire@gatech.edu).
* No T. rex actually helped with the excavations of Natural Trap Cave as their arms would be much too small.
Event Details
Due to Inclement weather, this in-person session has moved online.
Prepare to showcase your scientific expertise at career fairs and networking events with confidence!
"CoS Under the Scope: Selling Your Science" is designed to help students craft compelling personal narratives and refine their professional communication skills. Gain insights into making impactful first impressions and learn strategies to highlight your unique strengths as a science student. This interactive session is your key to standing out in a competitive job market.
Register via Career Buzz and Zoom.
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Astract: Fishes exhibit remarkable adaptability, navigating complex aquatic habitats while balancing competing demands that influence their locomotion mechanics and energetics. This extraordinary ability to sense and maneuver through fluid environments offers valuable insights for advancing autonomous underwater vehicle technology. However, our understanding of how fishes detect and navigate their surroundings, especially during dynamic behaviors, remains limited. In this presentation, I will discuss advances made by my laboratory in elucidating the diversity, energetics, and underlying mechanisms of fish locomotion. I will demonstrate how the environment shapes the costs of swimming through the ability of fishes to recapture energy from turbulence, causes the convergence of body kinematics during acceleration, and impacts the collective behavior of fish schools. Additionally, I will highlight our progress using zebrafish and cavefish model systems to elucidate the response properties and evolution of the lateral line system in fishes, a sensory modality required for swimming, schooling, and predator-prey interactions. Finally, I will outline our innovative approaches to studying behavior in naturalistic mesocosms and field settings, aiming to translate fundamental scientific discoveries into practical applications for conservation, ecological management, and the development of cutting-edge, bio-inspired technologies.
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