🌟 “Transforming Futures: The Enduring Impact of the DLC AI Residency on Scientific Innovators”
🚀 In July 2022, the DeepLabCut AI Residency 🤖🔬, in collaboration with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) 🤝, welcomed the first cohort of residents 🎉 to begin their training in behavior analysis and open-source software. This program paves the way for more advanced tools to progress science and develop the skills of those joining the trade 🤓.
🎓 The creation of the DLC AI Residency, with a focus on providing training and mentorship, marks an important milestone in life sciences 🌟. Diverse in both background and career stage, the residents, coming exclusively from groups under-represented in computer science, are expected to attend a variety of trainings🏋️♀️ including modules in coding, behavior analysis and open-source software creation and use, and, of course, take part in two-month-long practical project work to put their new skills to use 🙌.
💫 Hold on tight as we bring you an exclusive update! Just a few days before the welcome of the 2023 Resident Cohort, we got in touch with the 2022 residents and found out what role they played in their development and research work.
🎥Stay tuned to find out how our residents learned new ways to do research and spread the word across the globe 🌎.
🌟 Meet VicShaoChih Chang (@vsccvscc), a rising star 🌟.
He joined our DeepLabCut AI Residency program just before starting his PhD in the University of Massachusetts, where he focuses on the neuroscience of sexual diversity. After completing the program, Vic took what he learned and immediately put it into action. He returned to his university and started an introductory course to behavioral research, complete with theoretical and practical training on DeepLabCut, Jupyter Notebook, Github, Anaconda, Colab, and other essential tools that are freely available to everyone. 🤯
🎓 What’s more, Vic’s course serves students from underprivileged backgrounds who might otherwise struggle to unlock the full potential of computer science 🖥. To make the course even better, Vic recruited DLC mentors from around the world to support the students and strengthen the DLC community ties. 💪
👨🎓 But that’s not all. Vic’s efforts and hard work didn’t go unnoticed. He was nominated for the Beacon Leadership Award by his students, and we are all so proud of him. 🏆 His future goal for this project is to expand the course from his department to the full university, opening up the world of behavioral research to more students. 🔥
🐾 During his time at the DLC residency, Vic also got inspired by his work on wildlife, including trap cameras and the Megadetector project. He expanded his PhD work to wildlife and will soon travel to the South African Kruger National Park to incorporate DeepLabCut into the analysis of camera trap studies to identify sexual behavior. 🦁📷
🐭🧠 Say hello to Sabrina Benas (@Sabrineiitor), a passionate PhD student from Argentina using DeepLabCut and Miniscope to investigate the changes that happen in the hippocampus of mice when exposed to different environments.
But her work doesn’t stop there🔥!
Sabrina understands the importance of science outreach and communication📣 to the general public, especially to young people. To that end, she and her teammates participated in a science fair where they organized ‘Musica Intangible’, a booth that blends DeepLabCut and Bonsai to make science accessible and fun for everyone 🎉.
Sabrina was also an amazing mentor during the Modern Approaches to Behavioral Analysis Course where she helped participants learn the ropes of DeepLabCut. With her passion for science and dedication to teaching, Sabrina is a true inspiration 🙌.
🦅💻 Sofia Minano (@SofiMinano) is a force to be reckoned with!👩💻
She joined the team while finishing her PhD studies in the United Kingdom, and considering a transition from PhD studies to software development. She now works at University College London (UCL) as a research software developer. Sofia is currently designing software specifically tailored to the needs of research groups at UCL, and her expertise in DeepLabCut🐭 has been invaluable in helping many teams achieve their research goals.
Reflecting on her experience, Sofia shared💡: “The DeepLabCut summer school was a game changer for me, as it allowed me to familiarize myself with open-source software like DeepLabCut, Github, and computer vision models in a safe environment where I could freely experiment with them.”
Not only is Sofia a skilled developer🔥, but she is also a fantastic mentor. She was a key figure in helping participants learn DeepLabCut during the Modern Approaches to Behavioral Analysis Course, and she will be actively participating and contributing her expertise and knowledge at the DeepLabCut NeuroAI Hackathon at UCL in May. We can’t wait to see what Sophia will accomplish next! 🚀
🐦 Say hello to Neslihan Wittek (@Taubenmaedel) 👩💻, a brilliant postdoc at the Ruhr University Bochum in Germany, who has dedicated her research to understanding the intriguing world of pigeon behavior🕊. Neslihan has already made significant contributions to the scientific community by using DeepLabCut to classify pigeon behavior in a recent study published in the Behavior Research Methods.
Neslihan’s drive 🚗 and passion ✨ for her work led her to join the DLC AI Residency program to deepen her knowledge and skills in coding and DeepLabCut. After completing the program, Neslihan took on her biggest challenge yet: presenting her research at the prestigious Javaland conference👩🏫, where she captivated the audience with her insights on DeepLabCut and pigeon behavior analysis. Overcoming her stage fright, Neslihan showcased her work to a large crowd, marking a triumphant moment for both her and the DLC AI Residency🎉.
Aside from her impressive research, Neslihan is also a natural teacher and mentor, sharing her expertise with aspiring researchers during the Modern Approaches to Behavioral Analysis Course.
💻🪄 Introducing the incredible Nirel Kadzo (@Nirelkadzo) — a trailblazing MA student hailing from Kenya! With a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Strathmore Nairobi, Nirel’s passion for empowering women 💪 and supporting 🌟 under-resourced communities has been a driving force throughout her career.
Not only is Nirel a highly skilled MA student, but she also shines as an invaluable team player. During the Modern Approaches to Behavioral Analysis Course, she took on a central role, spearheading the establishment of the DLC hub in Nairobi. Her vision 🔮? To create a thriving tech community right in Nairobi.
🌟 As we reflect on the incredible achievements🏆 and enduring impact of our graduates, we look forward to welcoming future cohorts of aspiring researchers who will continue to shape the landscape of scientific discovery.
Join us on this remarkable journey🚀, where passion, curiosity, and determination converge to create a world of endless possibilities🌟.
Learn more about the DeepLabCut software!
Find out more about the residency experience and future opportunities!
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PS: 📣Level Up Your Behavioral Analysis Skills: Join Us in 2023 DLC Cajal Course! 🔥🔥🔥
Mark your calendars 🗓! The highly anticipated return of the Modern Approaches to Behavioral Analysis Course is just around the corner. In collaboration with CAJAL Advanced Neuroscience training, we are thrilled to bring you another transformative learning experience in the fall🍁 of 2023. We will also look for teaching assistants.
Applications for both students and assistants will open soon, so stay tuned 📲 for updates!
If you’re new to the CAJAL platform and the remarkable training opportunities it offers for scientists, now is the perfect time to explore their website.
