2025 Academy Professional Development

For the 2025 Academy, we will have several Professional Development events open to all students and TAs during the month of June.
We made this change this year based on feedback from students that they needed more time during the course for Projects and Tutorials. Having these events ahead of the course allows students and TAs to fully dedicate their time and energy to the course materials.

Event Schedule

Convert the time to your local time zone  here .
Please do not post the Zoom links publicly. These events are for Academy students and TAs, with the exception of the En-ROADS Climate Workshops.

Tear-off Calendar  Google Calendar Link  — allows you to add the events to your calendar.

Event Title
Date
Time (UTC)
Zoom Registration Link -- register ahead of time!
Bridging the Gap: Civic Science for Computational Researchers (Session 1)
Jun 10, 2025
6:00 p.m. UTC
 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/kLIUbS2LSjmjziuplvOHqw 
PhD Applications Panel 1
Jun 12, 2025
7:00 p.m. UTC
 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/OaCm338uTZy1tfPqG_c-MA 
Managing a Computational Research Project in the Modern World: The Essential Toolkit Every Scientist Should Master
Jun 18, 2025
2:30 p.m. UTC
 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/-ci6JTQhQumotcdvgq9HeA 
How to Build Data Pipelines for Neuroscience & AI
Jun 19, 2025
2:00 p.m. UTC
 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/7nxe-2rETYePnrRpRsMrDA 
PhD Applications Panel 2
Jun 23, 2025
10:00 a.m. UTC
 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/AzfMwRHsQS2cUnKecTYnaA 
Bridging the Gap: Civic Science for Computational Researchers (Session 2)
Jun 26, 2025
1:00 a.m. UTC (June 25 for many time zones)
 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/fgv8WSn_SMOnl6BUqqc-IA 
The En-ROADS Climate Workshop (Slot 1) - Hosted by Climate Interactive
This is a public event!
Jun 26, 2025
11:00 a.m. UTC
 https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GJlTwqX3TbOb-X4yuwRz2A#/registration 
The En-ROADS Climate Workshop (Slot 2) - Hosted by Climate Interactive
This is a public event!
Jun 26, 2025
6:00 p.m. UTC
 https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l6xSSwx5QzmCZ_x6ZqBJ2A#/registration 


Bridging the Gap: Civic Science for Computational Researchers

Presenter: Leanna Kalinowski
Session 1: June 10 @ 6:00 p.m. UTC
Session 2: June 26 @ 1:00 a.m. UTC (June 25 for many time zones)

Description:

As computational research increasingly shapes society, the need for scientists to engage with the public has never been greater. This talk explores the role of civic science in bridging the gap between research and society, with a focus on the unique opportunities and challenges faced by computational scientists. We’ll discuss how open science, transparency, and public engagement can enhance the impact of data-driven research while addressing ethical considerations in AI and computational methods. Attendees will gain insights into how they can make their work more accessible, foster collaboration, and contribute to a more inclusive scientific ecosystem.

Presenter Bio: Leanna Kalinowski

Leanna Kalinowski is the Civic Science Fellow at Neuromatch, where she studies and implements strategies to encourage computational scientists to incorporate civic science into their research. As an interdisciplinary scientist with a background in public health and neuroscience, Leanna has previously conducted research on topics ranging from the use of research evidence in substance use policy to the impact of prescription stimulant medications on the adolescent brain. 



PhD Application Panel

Presenter: Many!
Panel 1: June 12 @ 7:00 p.m. UTC
Panel 2: June 23 @ 10:00 a.m. UTC

Description:

Researching, applying, and starting a PhD can be an overwhelming process. We've put together two panels of Neuromatch and Climatematch community members who have recently applied and been accepted into a PhD program from many different parts of the world. The panelists will be joined by more senior members of the field who can also share their experience recruiting and selecting PhD applicants.

Presenter Bios: Panel 1

Panel:
  •  Elnaz Alikarami 
  • Avisha
  •  Alex Murphy, Ph. D. 

Presenter Bios: Panel 2

Panel:
  •  Jimmy Pulido Arias 
  •  Dante K. 
  • TBD!



Managing a Computational Research Project in the Modern World: The Essential Toolkit Every Scientist Should Master

Presenter: Dr. Nicholas A. Del Grosso
June 18 @ 2:30 p.m. UTC

Description:

Modern research relies heavily on computational tool, but many scientists feel overwhelmed by the growing ecosystem of code, data, and reproducibility practices. This session offers a practical, beginner-friendly overview of the essential tools that support transparent, efficient, and collaborative research.
Drawing from real-world experience training scientists, we’ll explore key tool categories, from version control and environment management to modular coding, testing, workflow automation, and data packaging. Along the way, you'll see live demos of tools like Git, Conda, VSCode, Pytest, Snakemake, and more—plus get clear guidance on what to learn (and in what order).
Whether you’re just starting with data analysis or looking to improve your project’s structure and sustainability, this session will help you build confidence in managing the computational side of modern science.

Presenter Bio: Dr. Nicholas A. Del Grosso

Dr. Nicholas A. Del Grosso is a neuroscience research software trainer and consultant with a focus on helping scientists build practical skills in Python programming, statistical analysis, and software and data management. With a Ph.D. in Systems Neuroscience from LMU Munich, he brings a researcher’s perspective to the challenges scientists face when working with data and technology.
Over the past several years, Nick has given classroom training to almost a thousand scientists and engineers, emphasizing clear communication, reproducible workflows, and sustainable coding practices. His work is rooted in a deep understanding of the day-to-day needs of experimental researchers and applying didactical methods in the adult classroom, developed through years of collaboration with labs across Europe.
Nick currently leads the iBehave Open Technology Support platform, where he helps researchers adopt and adapt tools that support transparent, efficient, and scalable neuroscience research. His approach is pragmatic and community-oriented, aiming to make essential technical skills more accessible and empowering to researchers at all levels.



How to Build Data Pipelines for Neuroscience & AI

Presenter: Dr. Dimitri Yatsenko
June 19 @ 2:00 p.m. UTC

Description:

Learn to build data analysis pipelines using DataJoint and other open-source tools. Case studies include applications in neurophysiology, histology, and behavior—integrating computational modeling with experimental data—with efficient data operations in multidisciplinary collaborations. We will showcase the structure of the MICrONS project and working with its published data.You will learn how to organize data and automate computations in ways that are reproducible and efficient in team science.

Presenter Bio: Dr. Dimitri Yatsenko

Dr. Yatsenko is the Founder of DataJoint. With support from DARPA and NIH, DataJoint hasdeveloped data science solutions for neuroscience and AI, supporting numerous neuroscience projects. Dimitri began developing DataJoint at Baylor College of Medicine as open-source software to support neurophysiology studies, and designed data pipelines for the MICrONS project. DataJoint’s ongoing research and collaborations focus on the next generation of experiments combining online analysis and machine learning in the discovery loop.

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The En-ROADS Climate Workshop

Presenter: Climate Interactive
This is a public event that's hosted by Climate Interactive!
Session 1: June 26 @ 11:00 a.m. UTC
Session 2: June 26 @ 6:00 p.m. UTC

Description:

Our Climatematch course uses the En-ROADS Simulator!
Join us for a Climate Solutions Workshop to explore cross-sector climate actions—from carbon pricing and energy efficiency, to agricultural practices. Using the En-ROADS Simulator, a user-friendly climate model, you will visualize the impacts of different climate solutions in real time.
Whether you're new to climate models, work in the climate space, or are a decision-maker looking to understand climate solutions, this webinar is for you. You'll gain a deeper understanding of climate solutions and how to leverage our simulator to test real-world policies and technologies.
Developed by Climate Interactive and MIT Sloan, En-ROADS is a system dynamics model carefully grounded in the best available science, and has been calibrated against a wide range of integrated assessment model scenarios.


Presenter Bio: About En-ROADs & Climate Interactive

En‑ROADS is a global climate simulator that allows users to explore the impact that dozens of policies—such as electrifying transport, pricing carbon, and improving agricultural practices—have on hundreds of factors like energy prices, temperature, air quality, and sea level rise.
Developed by Climate Interactive,  MIT Sloan , and  Ventana Systems , En-ROADS is a system dynamics model carefully grounded in the best available science, and has been calibrated against a wide range of existing integrated assessment, climate, and energy models. En-ROADS runs on an ordinary laptop in a fraction of a second, is freely available online, offers an intuitive user-friendly interface, and is available in over a dozen languages.
En-ROADS helps people make connections between things they care about and the possibilities available to help ensure a resilient future. Users can quickly see the long-term effects of the global climate policies and actions they imagine. The goal? To break through the noise and equip elected officials, business leaders, and others with the knowledge they need to implement equitable and high-leverage climate solutions. You can learn more about the  science behind the simulator here.