2nd Caribbean School of Neuroethology

2013 IBRO-LARC_ISN School of Neuroscience

May 12 – 25, Havana, Cuba.

The 2013 2^nd Caribbean School of Neuroethology, designed for Latin-American doctoral and postdoctoral students, will follow the scheme of the 1^st School by exploring the neural basis of behaviors found both in vertebrates and invertebrates. The neuroethological aspects to be studied will include sensory processing in the visual, auditory, olfactory, and somatosensory systems; decision-making processes in the central nervous system; and motor control strategies such as central pattern generators and peripheral feedback control. The course will be divided in two parts. During the first part, lectures, seminars, field work, and behavioral experiments in the animal’s natural environment will be taught by invited foreign lecturers. The second part of the course is designed to combine lectures from local scientists in the morning with laboratory experiences in the afternoon and evening. This lecture and laboratory course will allow students not only to gain first-hand experience in approaching these model systems, but also to interact and network with leaders in the specific areas of research.

Participants:

Alison R. Mercer, University of Otago (olfaction and learning, bees)

Emanuel C. Mora, Havana University (acoustic communication; bat, moth)

Gabriel Mindlin, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina (song motor control; bird)

Jorge Bergado, International Center of Neurological Restoration (neuronal basis of memory; rat)

Juan Bacigalupo, University of Chile, Chile (olfactory processing; toad)

Julio Álvarez, Institute of Cardiology (molecular basis of cell excitability; rat)

Lidia Szczupak, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina (motor control; leech)

Manfred Kössl, University of Frankfurt, Germany (echolocation; bat)

Martha Pérez, Havana University (acoustic communication; moth)

Peter Narins, University of Los Angeles, USA (acoustic communication; frog)

Tim DeVoogd, Cornell University, USA (neuronal bases of bird song; bird)

Course schedule:

May 12-18, 2013.       Lectures by invited foreign speakers and field work in an isolated natural protected area outside of Havana.

May 19-25, 2013.       Lectures and experimental training at Havana University.

Eligibility:

The school is intended for 20 students of Latin American countries, with emphasis in the Caribbean and Central America. The languages for instruction will be English and Spanish. Students will be selected based on their academic records, research projects and performance, and written statements concerning their interest and opportunities to develop a research line on neuroethology in their own countries.

Travel and lodging support:

Lodging expenses for students will be covered by the School. Travel expenses will be partially covered.

Organizer: Emanuel C. Mora, Faculty of Biology, Havana University. e-mail: emanuel@fbio.uh.cu.

Course secretaries:

Silvio Macías, Faculty of Biology, Havana University.

e-mail: silvio@fbio.uh.cu.

Ariadna Cobo, Faculty of Biology, Havana University.

e-mail: cobo_cuan@fbio.uh.cu.

Application: Fill in the application form and send it to the course secretaries before February 15th, 2013.

Download application form at:

http://www.fbio.uh.cu/ginvest/bioacustica/2nd_Caribbean_School_of_Neuroethology.doc