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We develop machine vision and learning algorithms to analyze and interpret raw data across spatial and temporal scales.
We develop machine vision and learning algorithms to analyze and interpret raw data across spatial and temporal scales.
We develop theoretical frameworks and data-driven computational models to distill general principles that govern how and why biological systems operate the way they do.
Working with experimental biologists, we use these computational analyses and theoretical frameworks to design new experiments that refine and test our models, filling in the biggest gaps in our understanding of biological processes.
At Janelia, researchers are developing new technologies that produce incredibly large and complex data sets. The opportunity to deploy such technologies places a premium on new theory, modeling, and analysis tools to appropriately prioritize new experiments and to extract understanding from data. Janelia’s Computation and Theory labs work collaboratively with experimental labs to tackle these challenges.
06/30/22 | Cosmological thinking meets neuroscience in new theory about brain connections: A collaboration between a former cosmologist and a computational neuroscientist at Janelia generates a new way to identify essential connections between brain cells.
02/13/22 | Congratulations to Stephan Saalfeld, who was named Interim Head of Computation & Theory. Learn more about the Saalfeld lab.
09/03/21 | Machine learning improves a Nobel Prize-winning microscopy technique: Imaging cells at nanometer resolution is now faster than ever.
05/11/20 | We are excited to welcome Carsen Stringer as a Group Leader in Computation and Theory. Learn more about the Stringer lab.
06/10/19 | Flight or Alight? New Research Untangles How Flies Determine the Appropriate Response to a Looming Stimulus: Two types of neurons in the fly brain help a fly land when it detects a looming stimulus – but only if it’s already in flight.
02/01/19 | Tracing the Origins of an Optical Illusion: Pinpointing which neurons process a common light-dark motion illusion could help explain how brains perceive movement.
08/01/23 | We are accepting applications for group leaders. Competition closes November 1.
Allyson Sgro joined Janelia in 2022 as a Group Leader in Computation and Theory and 4D Cellular Physiology. Her path to science started early—she entered college without ever graduating from high school. At Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Sgro pursued her love of science through majoring in chemistry, leading her to earn a PhD in chemistry focusing on developing methods for quantitative biology and neuroscience. After she developed an allergy to mice, Sgro pivoted to slime molds and how they process information to work together, leading her to her current research where she works to understand how cells, in general, coordinate their behavior.
AI Scientists
Postdocs
Multiple labs are recruiting postdocs. Please see each lab webpage for more details.
Learn more about postdoc life at Janelia.
Doctoral Students
More information can be found here.
“One of our greatest successes is our collaborative culture – how closely integrated Computation and Theory scientists are with other Janelia labs.”
-Kristin Branson