G. Bard Ermentrout Professor, Mathematics University of Pittsburgh Phone: (412) 624-8324 Fax: (412) 624-8397 Email: Bard@pitt.edu Individual Website: Http://www.pitt.edu/~phase

Ph.D., University of Chicago

Research Interests

Dr. Ermentrout's research program investigates models of neural and muscle physiology. His main areas of research over the last few years are (i) the mechanisms for synchrony in networks of cortical neurons and (ii) modes of propagation in cortical and other slice preparations. He approaches these problems both computationally and using the methods of nonlinear dynamics. More specifically, he is interested in the role of waves and oscillations in the olfactory systems of the Limax (with Alan Gelperin) and the turtle (with Larry Cohen and David Kleinfeld). He also is interested in computational mechanisms of sensory processing in the somatosensory area of the rat (with Dan Simons).

Trainees in Dr. Ermentrout's laboratory will develop mathematical models of physiological systems and learn how to use various mathematical tools (numerical analysis, stability theory, nonlinear dynamics) in order to understand their behavior.

Recent Publications

• Ermentrout B, Wang JW, Flores J, Gelperin, A: Model for olfactory discrimination and learning in Limax procerebrum incorporating oscillatory dynamics and wave propagation J Neurophysiol 85 (4): 1444-1452, 2001.
• Ermentrout GB, Kleinfeld D: Traveling electrical waves in cortex: insights from phase dynamics and speculation on a computational role. Neuron 29 (1): 33-44, 2001
• Golomb D, Ermentrout GB: Bistability in pulse propagation in networks of excitatory and inhibitory populations. Phys Rev Lett 86 (18): 4179-4182, 2001.
• Kopell N, Ermentrout GB, Whittington MA, et al: Gamma rhythms and beta rhythms have different synchronization properties. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 97(4): 1867-1872, 2000.
• Ermentrout GA: Neural networks as spatio-temporal pattern forming systems. Reports of Progress in Physics 61: 353-430, 1998.
• Ermentrout GA, Flores J, Gelperin A: Minimal model of oscillations and waves in the limax olfactory lobe with tests of the models predictive power. J Neurophys 79: 2677-89, 1998.
• Rinzel J, Terman D, Wang XJ, Ermentrout GB: Propagating activity patterns in large-scale inhibitory neuronal networks. Science 279 (5355): 1351-1355, 1998.

Links

• Bardware: XPP, XTC, and other useful mathematics packages for exploring phase spaces and dynamical systems.