Computational Neuroscience

Education

• B.S., Applied Mathematics with a specialization in computing, University of California at Los Angeles, 2002
  
• M.S., Mathematics, Courant Institute (New York University), 2004
  
• Ph.D., Mathematics, Courant Institute (New York University), 2007 (Adviser: Dr. Daniel Tranchina)Research Interests

Ly's primary research area is computational neuroscience, with a specific focus on the variability, or fluctuations, of cortical neural network activity and their dynamics with sensory inputs. There are mathematical issues that arise, leading to challenges in: developing numerical methods to solve probability density equations, large-scale (Monte-Carlo) simulations, as well as applied analysis to describe such complicated stochastic systems. A variety of models are required for different purposes because there is a wide range of biological complexity. Ly has worked on: noisy neural oscillators, spiking stochastic networks, detailed biophysical cellular modeling, and questions regarding coding of sensory signals.

Select Publications

• J.S. Sooter, A.J. Fontenele, A. Barreiro, C. Ly, K.B. Hengen, W. Shew, 2026. Defining and measuring proximity to criticality.
  
• A. Barreiro, A.J. Fontenele, C. Ly, P. Raju , S.H. Gautam, W. Shew, 2024. Sensory input to cortex encoded on low-dimensional periphery-correlated subspaces. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Nexus (1) Vol. 3: pp 1-10.
  
• M.F. Craft, A. Barreiro, S.H. Gautam, W. Shew, C. Ly, 2023. Odor modality is transmitted to cortical brain regions from the olfactory bulb. Journal of Neurophysiology (5) Vol. 130: pp 1226-1242
  
• M.F. Craft, A. Barreiro, S.H. Gautam, W. Shew, C. Ly, 2021. Differences in olfactory bulb mitral cell spiking with ortho- and retronasal stimulation revealed by data-driven models. PLoS Computational Biology (9), Vol. 17: pp e1009169.

Affiliations

• Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (Lifetime member)
• Pi Mu Epsilon- National Mathematics Honors society (PME)
• Virginia Academy of Sciences (Lifetime member)
• Phi Beta Kappa, Eta of California