Taufik A. Valiante
@tvaliante.bsky.social
Neuroscientist, Neurosurgeon, Krembil Brain Institute, CRANIA, MPUTC, BME & ECE University of Toronto.
https://neurontobrainlaboratory.ca
https://kite-uhn.com/crania
https://mpc.utoronto.ca
https://neurontobrainlaboratory.ca
https://kite-uhn.com/crania
https://mpc.utoronto.ca
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
Join us March 20 at the University of Toronto for a special seminar by Dr. Sergey Stavisky on brain–computer interfaces.
#neuroAI @utoronto.ca @uoftcompsci.bsky.social @uhn.ca @kbi-uhn.bsky.social robotics.utoronto.ca/event/roboti...
#neuroAI @utoronto.ca @uoftcompsci.bsky.social @uhn.ca @kbi-uhn.bsky.social robotics.utoronto.ca/event/roboti...
January 18, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Join us March 20 at the University of Toronto for a special seminar by Dr. Sergey Stavisky on brain–computer interfaces.
#neuroAI @utoronto.ca @uoftcompsci.bsky.social @uhn.ca @kbi-uhn.bsky.social robotics.utoronto.ca/event/roboti...
#neuroAI @utoronto.ca @uoftcompsci.bsky.social @uhn.ca @kbi-uhn.bsky.social robotics.utoronto.ca/event/roboti...
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
New eLife paper is out! We explore the link btw 2-phase perception/generation learning methods like wake-sleep, and what may happen in the brain under on psychedelics. Turns out hallucinations are consistent with hijacking phasic learning, essentially running both wake and sleep phases at once.
Our paper on the "Oneirogen hypothesis" is now up in its revised form on eLife!
This is the hypothesis that psychedelics induce a dream-like state, which we show via modelling could explain a variety of perceptual and learning effects from such drugs.
elifesciences.org/reviewed-pre...
🧠📈 🧪
This is the hypothesis that psychedelics induce a dream-like state, which we show via modelling could explain a variety of perceptual and learning effects from such drugs.
elifesciences.org/reviewed-pre...
🧠📈 🧪
The oneirogen hypothesis: modeling the hallucinatory effects of classical psychedelics in terms of replay-dependent plasticity mechanisms
elifesciences.org
January 15, 2026 at 10:07 PM
New eLife paper is out! We explore the link btw 2-phase perception/generation learning methods like wake-sleep, and what may happen in the brain under on psychedelics. Turns out hallucinations are consistent with hijacking phasic learning, essentially running both wake and sleep phases at once.
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
Are you thinking about doing neuroscience outreach but want to make it more exciting or hands on?
Check out RetINaBox! (A collab led by the Trenholm lab)
We tried to bring the experience of experimental neuroscience to a classroom setting:
www.eneuro.org/content/13/1...
#neuroscience 🧪
Check out RetINaBox! (A collab led by the Trenholm lab)
We tried to bring the experience of experimental neuroscience to a classroom setting:
www.eneuro.org/content/13/1...
#neuroscience 🧪
RetINaBox: A Hands-On Learning Tool for Experimental Neuroscience
An exciting aspect of neuroscience is developing and testing hypotheses via experimentation. However, due to logistical and financial hurdles, the experiment and discovery component of neuroscience is...
www.eneuro.org
January 13, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Are you thinking about doing neuroscience outreach but want to make it more exciting or hands on?
Check out RetINaBox! (A collab led by the Trenholm lab)
We tried to bring the experience of experimental neuroscience to a classroom setting:
www.eneuro.org/content/13/1...
#neuroscience 🧪
Check out RetINaBox! (A collab led by the Trenholm lab)
We tried to bring the experience of experimental neuroscience to a classroom setting:
www.eneuro.org/content/13/1...
#neuroscience 🧪
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
Wonderful article about our recent paper in @pnasnexus.org! Thanks, @sachapfeiffer.bsky.social and @mickbonner.bsky.social!
@yikai-tang.bsky.social @uoftpsychology.bsky.social @artsci.utoronto.ca @utoronto.ca
@yikai-tang.bsky.social @uoftpsychology.bsky.social @artsci.utoronto.ca @utoronto.ca
Why do we find some scenes more aesthetic than others?
For my first in @sciencenews.bsky.social, I wrote about a new study that suggests that our aesthetic preferences could have evolved as cognitive shortcuts. 🧠🧪
www.sciencenews.org/article/brai...
For my first in @sciencenews.bsky.social, I wrote about a new study that suggests that our aesthetic preferences could have evolved as cognitive shortcuts. 🧠🧪
www.sciencenews.org/article/brai...
Easy on the eyes is also easy on the brain
A new study finds that the brain spends less energy processing scenes that people find aesthetically pleasing.
www.sciencenews.org
January 9, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Wonderful article about our recent paper in @pnasnexus.org! Thanks, @sachapfeiffer.bsky.social and @mickbonner.bsky.social!
@yikai-tang.bsky.social @uoftpsychology.bsky.social @artsci.utoronto.ca @utoronto.ca
@yikai-tang.bsky.social @uoftpsychology.bsky.social @artsci.utoronto.ca @utoronto.ca
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
My thoughts on the matter: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
December 11, 2025 at 7:17 PM
My thoughts on the matter: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
Wonderful and inspiring opening session at the CIFAR/TWCF Winter School for the Neuroscience of Consciousness, here in beautiful wintery Montebello, in Quebec. All of the participants gave 60 second intros to themselves and their interests. What a great group of people.
December 10, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Wonderful and inspiring opening session at the CIFAR/TWCF Winter School for the Neuroscience of Consciousness, here in beautiful wintery Montebello, in Quebec. All of the participants gave 60 second intros to themselves and their interests. What a great group of people.
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
In this piece for @thetransmitter.bsky.social, I argue that ecological neuroscience should leverage generative video and interactive models to simulate the world from animals' perspectives.
The technological building blocks are almost here - we just need to align them for this application.
🧠🤖
The technological building blocks are almost here - we just need to align them for this application.
🧠🤖
Generative AI will offer a new way to see, simulate and hypothesize about how animals experience their worlds. In doing so, it could help bridge the long-standing gap between neural function and behavior, writes @shahabbakht.bsky.social.
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/artificial-i...
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/artificial-i...
Seeing the world as animals do: How to leverage generative AI for ecological neuroscience
Generative artificial intelligence will offer a new way to see, simulate and hypothesize about how animals experience their worlds. In doing so, it could help bridge the long-standing gap between…
www.thetransmitter.org
December 8, 2025 at 3:59 PM
In this piece for @thetransmitter.bsky.social, I argue that ecological neuroscience should leverage generative video and interactive models to simulate the world from animals' perspectives.
The technological building blocks are almost here - we just need to align them for this application.
🧠🤖
The technological building blocks are almost here - we just need to align them for this application.
🧠🤖
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
🧠📢 New preprint alert
Large-scale ephys is exploding but spike sorting remains the computational bottleneck. A 2-hr, 6-probe Neuropixels 2.0 Quad Base session can take over a week to sort on a single machine. Here's a better solution. 🧵
#neuroskyence #compneurosky
Large-scale ephys is exploding but spike sorting remains the computational bottleneck. A 2-hr, 6-probe Neuropixels 2.0 Quad Base session can take over a week to sort on a single machine. Here's a better solution. 🧵
#neuroskyence #compneurosky
December 5, 2025 at 8:42 PM
🧠📢 New preprint alert
Large-scale ephys is exploding but spike sorting remains the computational bottleneck. A 2-hr, 6-probe Neuropixels 2.0 Quad Base session can take over a week to sort on a single machine. Here's a better solution. 🧵
#neuroskyence #compneurosky
Large-scale ephys is exploding but spike sorting remains the computational bottleneck. A 2-hr, 6-probe Neuropixels 2.0 Quad Base session can take over a week to sort on a single machine. Here's a better solution. 🧵
#neuroskyence #compneurosky
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
Lossy WavPack compression (up to 7× reduction) has minimal impact on sorting accuracy. This offers major storage savings without sacrificing quality.
December 5, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Lossy WavPack compression (up to 7× reduction) has minimal impact on sorting accuracy. This offers major storage savings without sacrificing quality.
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
Energy efficiency drives evolution, and humans may have evolved pleasure-based signals to optimize actions. Does this extend to aesthetic pleasure?
Yes!
Strong evidence in silico and humans, out in PNAS Nexus:
tinyurl.com/3kbu8xw4
With Yikai Tang and Wil Cunningham.
@uoftpsychology.bsky.social
Yes!
Strong evidence in silico and humans, out in PNAS Nexus:
tinyurl.com/3kbu8xw4
With Yikai Tang and Wil Cunningham.
@uoftpsychology.bsky.social
December 2, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Energy efficiency drives evolution, and humans may have evolved pleasure-based signals to optimize actions. Does this extend to aesthetic pleasure?
Yes!
Strong evidence in silico and humans, out in PNAS Nexus:
tinyurl.com/3kbu8xw4
With Yikai Tang and Wil Cunningham.
@uoftpsychology.bsky.social
Yes!
Strong evidence in silico and humans, out in PNAS Nexus:
tinyurl.com/3kbu8xw4
With Yikai Tang and Wil Cunningham.
@uoftpsychology.bsky.social
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
Finally got the job ad—looking for 2 PhD students to start spring next year:
www.gao-unit.com/join-us/
If comp neuro, ML, and AI4Neuro is your thing, or you just nerd out over brain recordings, apply!
I'm at neurips. DM me here / on the conference app or email if you want to meet 🏖️🌮
www.gao-unit.com/join-us/
If comp neuro, ML, and AI4Neuro is your thing, or you just nerd out over brain recordings, apply!
I'm at neurips. DM me here / on the conference app or email if you want to meet 🏖️🌮
December 3, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Finally got the job ad—looking for 2 PhD students to start spring next year:
www.gao-unit.com/join-us/
If comp neuro, ML, and AI4Neuro is your thing, or you just nerd out over brain recordings, apply!
I'm at neurips. DM me here / on the conference app or email if you want to meet 🏖️🌮
www.gao-unit.com/join-us/
If comp neuro, ML, and AI4Neuro is your thing, or you just nerd out over brain recordings, apply!
I'm at neurips. DM me here / on the conference app or email if you want to meet 🏖️🌮
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
We are opening a FACULTY POSITION (tenure track, permanent) in the University of Cambridge at the interface of control and biology, interpreted broadly. Theorists and wet lab quantitative biologists with backgrounds in control, EE, applied math, ... apply by Jan 28!
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/univers...
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/univers...
University Assistant/Associate Professor in Control Theory and Systems Biology
Applications are invited for a University Assistant/Associate Professorship in the broad area of Control Theory and Systems Biology. The successful candidate will join the Control Group
www.cam.ac.uk
December 3, 2025 at 12:19 PM
We are opening a FACULTY POSITION (tenure track, permanent) in the University of Cambridge at the interface of control and biology, interpreted broadly. Theorists and wet lab quantitative biologists with backgrounds in control, EE, applied math, ... apply by Jan 28!
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/univers...
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/univers...
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
A study in Nature Communications identifies BNST theta and prefrontal BNST coherence as intracranial biomarkers predicting depression outcomes after deep brain stimulation. Lower activity predicted better long-term benefit, linking brain circuits to emotional bias and anxiety. 🧪
Prefrontal–bed nucleus of the stria terminalis physiological and neuropsychological biomarkers predict therapeutic outcomes in depression - Nature Communications
This study identifies BNST theta and prefrontal BNST coherence as intracranial biomarkers predicting depression outcomes after DBS. Lower activity predicted better long-term benefit, linking brain circuits to emotional bias and anxiety.
go.nature.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:23 PM
A study in Nature Communications identifies BNST theta and prefrontal BNST coherence as intracranial biomarkers predicting depression outcomes after deep brain stimulation. Lower activity predicted better long-term benefit, linking brain circuits to emotional bias and anxiety. 🧪
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
It was incredible to be part of #purpleday yesterday! 💜 Each year, this important day continues to grow bigger and stronger, bringing more awareness and support for the 1-in-100 people living with epilepsy.
@kbi-uhn.bsky.social @uhnresearch.bsky.social @tvaliante.bsky.social
@kbi-uhn.bsky.social @uhnresearch.bsky.social @tvaliante.bsky.social
March 27, 2025 at 4:29 PM
It was incredible to be part of #purpleday yesterday! 💜 Each year, this important day continues to grow bigger and stronger, bringing more awareness and support for the 1-in-100 people living with epilepsy.
@kbi-uhn.bsky.social @uhnresearch.bsky.social @tvaliante.bsky.social
@kbi-uhn.bsky.social @uhnresearch.bsky.social @tvaliante.bsky.social
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
Happy to share this work putting forth the first #computational model of #developing #embrionic cortical circuits. Phenomenal team coordination by Fernando Garcia Moreno @achucarro.bsky.social. @kbi-uhn.bsky.social @kcnhub.bsky.social
Evolutionary convergence of sensory circuits in the pallium of amniotes
The amniote pallium contains sensory circuits that are structurally and functionally equivalent, yet their evolutionary relationship remains unresolved. We used birthdating analysis, single-cell RNA a...
www.science.org
February 15, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Happy to share this work putting forth the first #computational model of #developing #embrionic cortical circuits. Phenomenal team coordination by Fernando Garcia Moreno @achucarro.bsky.social. @kbi-uhn.bsky.social @kcnhub.bsky.social
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
I’m not “abandoning my diet”; I’m “supporting my country.”
February 7, 2025 at 9:03 PM
I’m not “abandoning my diet”; I’m “supporting my country.”
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
Save the date! Come learn about how we're using machine learning to reverse-engineer the human brain and build brain-machine interfaces kite-uhn.com/talk/rounds-...
@uoft.bsky.social @bme-uoft.bsky.social @uhnresearch.bsky.social @uhntoronto.bsky.social @kbi-uhn.bsky.social
@uoft.bsky.social @bme-uoft.bsky.social @uhnresearch.bsky.social @uhntoronto.bsky.social @kbi-uhn.bsky.social
February 7, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Save the date! Come learn about how we're using machine learning to reverse-engineer the human brain and build brain-machine interfaces kite-uhn.com/talk/rounds-...
@uoft.bsky.social @bme-uoft.bsky.social @uhnresearch.bsky.social @uhntoronto.bsky.social @kbi-uhn.bsky.social
@uoft.bsky.social @bme-uoft.bsky.social @uhnresearch.bsky.social @uhntoronto.bsky.social @kbi-uhn.bsky.social
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
New brain aging study is out today in Nature
The largest single-cell RNA seq dataset of mouse brain aging reveals incredible insights and could pave the way for future therapies to slow or manage the impacts of the aging process. 🧵 #studyBRAIN
The largest single-cell RNA seq dataset of mouse brain aging reveals incredible insights and could pave the way for future therapies to slow or manage the impacts of the aging process. 🧵 #studyBRAIN
January 1, 2025 at 5:07 PM
New brain aging study is out today in Nature
The largest single-cell RNA seq dataset of mouse brain aging reveals incredible insights and could pave the way for future therapies to slow or manage the impacts of the aging process. 🧵 #studyBRAIN
The largest single-cell RNA seq dataset of mouse brain aging reveals incredible insights and could pave the way for future therapies to slow or manage the impacts of the aging process. 🧵 #studyBRAIN
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
Just bumping this up for those who may have missed earlier announcements-- we have a new PI position in the Neuroscience & Mental Health program here at SickKids. Neural and glial mechanisms in cognition.
Scientist/Senior Scientist – Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto – Canadian Association for Neuroscience
can-acn.org
December 27, 2024 at 6:02 PM
Just bumping this up for those who may have missed earlier announcements-- we have a new PI position in the Neuroscience & Mental Health program here at SickKids. Neural and glial mechanisms in cognition.
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
We are proud to support this trial through our our extensive academic and clinical programs affiliated with @uoft.bsky.social @uhnresearch.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/uhnt...
bsky.app/profile/uhnt...
In an interview with The i Paper, #TeamUHN's Dr. Andres Lozano discusses his excitement over UHN's Toronto Western Hospital being selected as the first international site of Neuralink trials.
Read more 👇
bit.ly/4fBI7RQ
Read more 👇
bit.ly/4fBI7RQ
'We'll be uploading information to the brain' - the future of Musk's Neuralink
Previous brain implants were bulkier or required cables to protrude from the back of a patient’s head
bit.ly
December 24, 2024 at 2:29 PM
We are proud to support this trial through our our extensive academic and clinical programs affiliated with @uoft.bsky.social @uhnresearch.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/uhnt...
bsky.app/profile/uhnt...
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
Congrats to Sam Mestern, Ph.D. student at @westernu.bsky.social, for winning the MapMySpikes challenge! His tool, PatchOTDA, excelled in mapping electrophysiological data to molecular properties. 🧠📈
More on his tool and the MapMySpikes challenge: alleninstitute.org/news/canadia...
More on his tool and the MapMySpikes challenge: alleninstitute.org/news/canadia...
Canadian Ph.D. student, Sam Mestern, wins first MapMySpikes challenge
The Allen Institute for Brain Science's MapMySpikes challenge aimed to address a key challenge in neuroscience by making connections between cells' electrical and molecular properties.
alleninstitute.org
December 11, 2024 at 11:09 PM
Congrats to Sam Mestern, Ph.D. student at @westernu.bsky.social, for winning the MapMySpikes challenge! His tool, PatchOTDA, excelled in mapping electrophysiological data to molecular properties. 🧠📈
More on his tool and the MapMySpikes challenge: alleninstitute.org/news/canadia...
More on his tool and the MapMySpikes challenge: alleninstitute.org/news/canadia...
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
Three UHN research projects have received over $4M through the Ontario Research Fund, part of a $92M investment in Ontario research!
Learn how this funding advances:
▶️#MRI tech
▶️#AI for donor lungs
▶️Muscle & joint #health
Congrats to the awardees!
🔗 www.uhnresearch.ca/news/investi...
Learn how this funding advances:
▶️#MRI tech
▶️#AI for donor lungs
▶️Muscle & joint #health
Congrats to the awardees!
🔗 www.uhnresearch.ca/news/investi...
December 10, 2024 at 4:11 PM
Three UHN research projects have received over $4M through the Ontario Research Fund, part of a $92M investment in Ontario research!
Learn how this funding advances:
▶️#MRI tech
▶️#AI for donor lungs
▶️Muscle & joint #health
Congrats to the awardees!
🔗 www.uhnresearch.ca/news/investi...
Learn how this funding advances:
▶️#MRI tech
▶️#AI for donor lungs
▶️Muscle & joint #health
Congrats to the awardees!
🔗 www.uhnresearch.ca/news/investi...
Reposted by Taufik A. Valiante
Hopfield and Hinton @nobelprize.bsky.social lecture today
John J. Hopfield: Physics is a point of view
Geoffrey Hinton: Boltzmann Machines
www.youtube.com/live/lPIVl5e...
John J. Hopfield: Physics is a point of view
Geoffrey Hinton: Boltzmann Machines
www.youtube.com/live/lPIVl5e...
YouTube
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
www.youtube.com
December 8, 2024 at 3:20 PM
Hopfield and Hinton @nobelprize.bsky.social lecture today
John J. Hopfield: Physics is a point of view
Geoffrey Hinton: Boltzmann Machines
www.youtube.com/live/lPIVl5e...
John J. Hopfield: Physics is a point of view
Geoffrey Hinton: Boltzmann Machines
www.youtube.com/live/lPIVl5e...
Grateful for these two and that they find such joy in one another!! Photo cred @samravaliante.bsky.social
December 6, 2024 at 1:50 PM
Grateful for these two and that they find such joy in one another!! Photo cred @samravaliante.bsky.social