"Other practices" always precede "best practices"

There are best practices in a given field. Before best practices can be established, other practices must be acknowledged.

People in science tend to "roll their own." They create their scheduling or project management systems. That is a reasonable choice if it is truly a choice. More often, people are proudly ignorant of what others are doing.

"Fundamentals of MATLAB for Neuroscience Research" talk

I have been using MATLAB in cognitive neuroscience research for over 10 years. However as the computer adage goes, "It is not the number of years but the number of hours." I use the program almost daily.

Recently, I gave a "Fundamentals of MATLAB for Neuroscience Research" talk. It was slightly odd talking about a topic that is often conceptualized as solely a doing activity. Despite that, I feel starting with a strong "why" helps to motivate the "how." The talk was followed with a Q&A period and a brief hands-on programming activity.

The slides can be found here.

I gave out the 2 following handouts: a cheat sheet and a style guide.

My dream job

My dream job is asking and answering interesting questions. I find the interesting questions through the "heads's up" work of reading and talking. External stimulation makes this work better and faster. I try to answer interesting questions through the "head's down" work of synthesizing and researching. External stimulation slows the down that work. The tension of those magnet poles energizes my day.

Undergraduate Awards in Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience (Summer 2013) at McGill University

Applications are sought for Summer 2013 (16-week) undergraduate awards offered by the Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience (ACN) Training Network (NSERC-CREATE), to undertake research in our top ACN labs at McGill University, McMaster University, University of Montreal, the Rotman Research Institute and the Montreal Neurological Institute.

Positions begin May 2013. Citizens of all nationalities are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2013.

Full application and eligibility details are available here.

Repost: Hey science teachers -- make it fun

I'm trying my best to make my Sensation and Perception class fun (and teach the information at the right level).

On choosing the next research project

How do you decide your next research project?

It safest to look back at previous work, conduct a logical extension of a published study or permutate common parameters. Looking backward leads to step-by-step movement. There is a small chance of complete failure but an equally small chance at innovation.

It more risky to look ahead and choose a research project based its potential to make a contribution. Looking forward leads to moving in leaps and bounds. This is an increased chance of failure, but also the opportunity for massive inovation.

Sample "blended" lecture slides from my course

I am taking a blended (or hybrid) approach by combing on-line resources with in-person lectures for my "Perception" course at The University of Maryland's Department of Psychology.

Syllabus

Sample Lecture Slides