Gravitational Attraction
What would happen if two people out in space a few meters apart, abandoned by their spacecraft, decided to wait until gravity pulled them together? My initial thought was that …
Presentations
Table of Contents
2023
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This talk explores the variety of projects Professor Blais has had involving undergraduate research students. The projects span a wide range of topics from the zombie apocalypse, three-sided coins, and brain modeling but have common features in probability, statistics, and simulation. Also covered will be the process for picking a topic in the first place, what the steps are for doing research, and the timeline for an honors thesis.
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Blais, B.S. Probability and God. Link to PDF here
In this talk, I will present a framework for rational inquiry based on probability theory. Probability theory is a branch of mathematics that deals with uncertainty and how to reason about it. I will explain the basic concepts and principles of probability, and how they can be applied to any domain of interest, including theology, the study of the nature of God and religious beliefs. I will explore some of the key theological concepts, such as belief, faith, miracles, and the existence of God, and how they can be analyzed using probability. I will also compare and contrast the scientific method with other ways of acquiring knowledge, such as revelation and intuition. My aim is to provide a clear and consistent way of thinking about these topics, and to reveal the hidden assumptions and implications of various theological arguments. Along the way, I will demonstrate some surprising and counterintuitive results that arise from probability theory, and how they can lead to errors in reasoning.
2022
- Blais, B.S., Gaier, E.,Xiao, S. Modeling amblyopia treatment responses through principles of synaptic plasticity. May 2022. ARVO Conference.
The BCM principles of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity are sufficient to model the ocular dominance shifts underlying the development of and recovery from amblyopia. The importance of the dichoptic masks and contrast disparity levels on the efficacy of the binocular therapy model suggests that these parameters require precise refinement to optimize amblyopia recovery.
2018
- Blais, B.S., Your Lack of Imagination Can Kill You — But You Can Be Saved by Math. Feb 2018. TEDxBryantU. Full list of videos for the event.
2017
- Blais, B.S., Twitter, Zombies, and the Fate of the World. Mar 2017. Analytics without Borders Conference. Supplemental Notebook is here.
2016
- Blais, B.S. and Skaza, J., Modeling the Infectiousness of Twitter Hashtags. Sep 2016. Bryant University Science Seminar.
- Blais, B.S., Beginning with Bayes or Statistical Inference for Everyone. May 2016. Electronic Conference On Teaching Statistics (eCOTS) 2016.
- Blais, B.S., Conservation ADHD. Mar 2016. Land and Water Conservation Summit.
2015
- Hartl, T. and Blais, B.S. Unbiased Reserve Estimates Based On Triangle GLMs: Bootstrapping vs Bayesian Analysis. Actuarial Research Conference}. August 2015.
- Blais, B.S., Statistical Inference for Everyone: One Scientist's Attempt to Set the Record Straight on Rational Thought. Mar 2015. The Department of Science and Technology Seminar Series at Bryant University. You can download the current textbook here.
- Skaza, J. and Blais, B.S., Mathematical Modeling of Trending Topics on Twitter. Apr 14, 2015. Honors Capstone Presentation.
- Blais, B.S., Science, Probability, and Models of the World. Aug 2015. Presentation to China University of Geosciences Summer Exchange Trip.
2014
- Jonathan Skaza and Brian Blais. Mar 2014. The Relationship between Economic Growth and Environmental Degradation: Exploring Models and Questioning the Existence of an Environmental Kuznets Curve. 21st Annual Conference Issues in Political Economy, Undergraduate Student Research in Economics. See supporting paper at http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2346173
- Brian Blais, Apr 2014. Climate Modeling - A Brief Exploration. Presentation to Issues in Biological Science.
- Blais, B.S., Statistical Heresies: Teaching Statistical Inference in the Bayesian Revolution. May 2014. Faculty Development Seminar at Bryant University. Download the pdf here and see the video of it here.
- Blais, B.S., What is Science?. July 2014. Presentation to China University of Geosciences Summer Exchange Trip.
- Witkowski, C., Leng, Q., Blais, B., Feng, L., Reid, C., Wang, H.-M., Yang, H. (2014). Decay and early diagenesis of Metasequoia leaves: Implications for three-dimensional preservation and bulk isotope signals in plant fossil lagerstaetten (2nd ed., vol. 46, pp. p. 59). 49th Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Section of the Geological Society of America (GSA).
2013
- Blais, B.S. Feb 2013. From Theory to Experiment and Back Again: A Physicists Journey Through Neuroscience . University of Rhode Island Neuroscience Colloquium. (a keynote version, which includes the animations, is here
- Blais, B.S. Mar 2013. Science and Analytics . Analytics Symposium, Bryant University.
- Witkowski, C. and Blais, B.S. Apr 2013. Zombie Apocalypse: An Epidemic Model . Research and Engagment Day (REDay), Bryant University. Supplemental Handout here .
- Blais, B.S. Apr 2013. Science and Faith: Friends or Foes . Research and Engagment Day (REDay), Bryant University.
- Colin Gannon, Brian Blais, Qin Leng, Robert Patalano, and Hong Yang. April 2013. Understanding the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum: Evaluation of Deuterium Values (dD) Related to Precipitation and Temperature . Senior Capstone project for Colin Gannon.
- Brian Blais, Colin Gannon, Qin Leng, Robert Patalano, Hong Yang. October 2013. Bayesian Parameter Estimation in a 1D Model of Precipitation and Evaporation: Comparison of Middle Miocene and Modern Climates Using Plant Lipid Deuterium dD Measurements Geological Society of America Conference. Some extra slides that didn't fit on the poster.
2012
- Gannon, C., Blais, B.S., Leng, Q., Patalano, R., Yang, H. 2012 Understanding the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum: Evaluation of Deuterium (dD) Related to Precipitation and Temperature . GSA Annual Meeting and Exposition.
- Blais, B.S. May 2012. Python and Statistical Inference . Joint presentation on Statistical Software Packages, Faculty Development Workshop, Bryant University.
2011
- Climate Modeling and Function Fitting (Bryant Research Seminar, Oct 2011)
- Collaboration Tools Notes (Technology Sandbox, Feb 2011)
2009
- Modeling Ecosystems and Climates: A Teaching Simulator for Systems Dynamics* (Rhode Island Space Grant Consortium Annual Symposium, November 2009)
2008
- A Hierarchical Spatiotemporal Model of Neocortex With Probabilistic Feedback. (Twelfth International Conference on Cognitive and Neural Systems (ICCNS), May 2008)
- Cython: Optimization in Python . (Finance and Science Joint Research Meeting, April 2008)
- Notes on Inhibition and BCM . (IBNS Research Meeting, April 2008)
2007
- Statistics and Environmental Resources: Projects for Collaboration . (Bryant-China University of Geosciences (CUG) Joint Research Event, December 2007)
- TTX and BCM . (MIT Lab Presentation, August 2007)
- Numerical Computing in Python: A Guide for Matlab Users. . Bryant University Faculty Development Seminar, May 2007.
- Teaching Bayesian Model Comparison with the Three-sided Coin. with Scott Kuindersma (UMass Amherst). (Bryant University Faculty Research Day, January 2007).
2006
- Climatic signals registered as C isotopic values in Metasequoia leaf tissues: A statistical analysis.* with Hong Yang (Bryant University), Gary F. Perez (Bryant University), Samantha Colvin (Bryant University), and Mark Pagani (Yale). (American Geophysical Union (AGU) Conference, December 2006).
- The cellular basis of receptive field plasticity in visual cortex, an integrative experimental and theoretical approach. with Shouval, H.Z (UT Houston) and Bear, M.F. (MIT) (Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience (CRCNS) Conference, June 2006).
2005
- Plasticity in the Brain: A Physicist's Perspective on Learning and Memory (Brown University, Frontiers in the Interaction Between Physics and Biology, November 2005)
- Synaptic Modification in Spiking-Rate Models: A Comparison between Learning in Spiking Neurons and Rate-Based Neuron Models* (Society for Neuroscience, Poster Presentation, November 2005) with Scott Kuindersma.
- Learning and Teaching Statistical Inference: An Open Discussion (Bryant University, Faculty Development Seminar, November 2005) printable version here
Full notes on the Bayesian approach to statistical evidence can be found here.
- Determining the Geometry of a Three-sided Fair Coin: Exploring the Probability of a Coin Landing on its Edge (Brown University IBNS Lab Presentation, October 2005)
- BCM and Deprivation: How does it work? (MIT Lab Presentation, July 2005)
- The Role of Structure and Noise in the Mouse Visual System (ICCNS, May 2005) with Mikhail Frenkel (MIT), Scott Kuindersma (Bryant University), and Mark Bear (MIT)
2004
- Simulations of Monocular Deprivation in Mouse (MIT Lab Presentation, August 2004) with Scott Kuindersma.
- Simulations of Monocular Deprivation in Mouse (Brown IBNS Presentation, July 2004) with Scott Kuindersma.
2003
- Visual System Development and Organization: Using Direction and Orientation Maps to Compare Theory and Experiment (Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network, Poster Presentation (BRIN), 2003) with Christian Latino.
2002
- Selectivity and Metaplasticity in a Unified Calcium-Dependent Model (NIPS 2002)
- Hot Topics in Global Warming: The Science of Global Warming (International Week, Bryant College, November 2002)
- Neural Architecture and the Mechanisms for Learning and Memory Storage (Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (BRIN), Poster Presentation, 2002) with Maria Cuartas.
2001
- The Formation of Orientation and Direction Selectivity Maps: Comparing Rules of Synaptic Modification (ICCNS, May 2001)
- Teaching a Spherical Chicken to Read: Feature Extraction in Neural Networks , Bryant College Interdisciplinary Research Seminar, October 2001.
2000
- The Physics of the Brain: Towards and Understanding of Learning and Memory (Job Talk, Jan 2000)
1999
- The Development and Organization of Direction and Orientation Maps: Comparing Models of Synaptic Modification (ABCC, Nov. 1999)
- Symmetry in the Statistics of LGN activity determine the Segregation of ON/OFF subfields for simple cells in cortex (ABCC, Feb. 1999)
1998
- Formation of Direction Selectivity in Natural Scene Environments (CNS, Jul. 1998)
- The Role of the Environment in Synaptic Plasticity: Towards an Understanding of Learning and Memory (Defense Talk, April. 1998)
- Physicists Studying the Brain (Rotary Club, Mar. 1998)
- An Energy Formulation of Learning: How Neurons Decide What's Important (Physics Seminar, Feb. 1998)
1997
- The Role of Noise in Visual Deprivation (Neuroscience Conference, Oct. 1997)
- How Sparse is Sparse? What is required in the natural scene environment for orientation selectivity (Natural Scenes Conference, Sep. 1997)
- Dynamics of Synaptic Plasticity: A Comparison between BCM and Experimental Results in Visual Cortex (Lab talk, Mar. 1997)
- Properties of Modification Dynamics in Normal and Deprived Environments* (Lab Talk, Feb. 1997)
1996
- You and Your Homunculus: Thinking about Thinking (DUG talk, Oct. 1996)
- How to Read the Mind of a Spherical Chicken (DUG talk, Apr. 1996)
- PVM and Parallel Programming (Lab talk, Mar. 1996) (plus a quick guide to running PVM on Suns)
- Time Dependence of Visual Deprivation: A Comparison Between Models of Plasticity (Lab talk, Feb. 1996)
1995
- Oscillatory Behavior in Neuron Activity (for prelim exam Dec. 1995)
- Single Cell BCM with Natural Scene Input (Lab talk, Feb. 1995)
