Neuroscience+AI Research Part III - Advanced Neuro Research G9-G11
🔬 Continuing Advanced Research Program
Extend Your Scientific Journey Beyond Summer
For students who successfully complete the Neurons Can Fly In-Person Summer Camp, the Continuing Advanced Research Program offers a selective pathway to participate in ongoing neuroscience research with the Cai Lab at the University of Michigan.
This program is designed for highly motivated, research-driven students ready to move beyond training and begin contributing to real scientific discovery.
Students join a structured, mentor-guided research experience that may be conducted remotely during the academic year or in-person (limited availability).
🧠 Program Experience
Participants will:
Work one-on-one with Cai Lab mentors
Engage in active neuroscience research projects
Access real experimental datasets and AI tools
Develop original scientific insights
Progress toward conference and publication readiness
Each student receives individualized mentorship throughout the research year.
🚀 Research Pathways
🔹 Project Track #1
Behavioral Control by Serotonergic Neurons
Students will:
Receive shipments of transgenic flies and behavioral chambers
Apply thermogenetics to manipulate neural activity
Record and process behavioral videos
Use AI-based tracking and statistical analysis to quantify behavior changes
This project integrates wet-lab biology with modern computational analysis.
🔹 Project Track #2
Neural Circuit Input/Output Mapping
Students will:
Perform remote neural reconstruction using AI tools and data mining
Generate anatomy-based hypotheses about serotonergic circuits
Identify potential neuronal inputs and outputs
Propose transgenic fly lines targeting specific neuron subsets
Validate behavioral functions in downstream studies
This track emphasizes neuroinformatics, connectomics, and hypothesis-driven research.
✨ Research Outcomes
Students in this program don’t just learn — they contribute.
Significant contributions may be recognized through:
Co-authorship on conference abstracts or posters
Potential inclusion in peer-reviewed publications
Opportunities to present at major scientific meetings, including the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting.
🎯 Eligibility
Applicants must:
Successfully complete the Neuroscience Research Jump Start (Online)
Successfully complete the NCF In-Person Summer Camp
Demonstrate strong interest in neuroscience research
Show readiness for independent, mentor-guided work
Pass the selective application review
🌐 Research Formats
Option A — Remote Research (Primary Track)
Conducted throughout the academic year
Flexible and international-friendly
Includes shipped materials for certain projects
Option B — In-Person Research (Limited)
Conducted at the Cai Lab, University of Michigan
Offered to select high-performing students
💰 Tuition: $399 / month
Registration indicates interest only.
Official University of Michigan invoicing will follow formal acceptance
🌟 Why This Program Matters
This is not a simulation or classroom project.
It is a true research pipeline where qualified students:
Work with real neuroscience data
Contribute to active lab questions
Build authentic research credentials
Begin their transition from student to young scientist
Seats are limited and admission is selective.