Graduate Student Advisory Council

Join us in shaping the future of our society!

Meet Our Council Members

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Jake Tear

Neuroscience PhD Student in the Riddle Lab

Research: I'm interested in improving the utility of EEG measures for precision psychiatry.

Fun Fact: I enjoy surfing and was on the UCSB surf team prior to joining FSU!

"Photo courtesy of Devin Bittner, FSU College of Arts & Sciences"

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Yicheng Zheng

Neuroscience PhD Student in the Wilber Lab

Research: My research interests lie in investigating the mechanisms underlying spatial navigation using electrophysiological techniques in rodents, as well as exploring potential treatments for spatial awareness deficits in Alzheimer’s disease. 

Fun Fact: My dog has it's own instagram page!

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Greg Owanga

Biomathematics PhD Student in the lab of Dr. Richard Bertram

Research: My research explores how populations of neurons in the gustatory cortex form and reorganize functional networks during sensory and behavioral events. Using computational network modeling and multi-electrode recordings, I analyze how patterns of connectivity evolve over time as animals engage in tasting and licking behaviors. By incorporating waveform-based analyses, I also track individual neurons across multiple days, linking single-cell stability to large-scale network reconfiguration. These methods combine graph theory (mainly network theory), signal processing, and data visualization to reveal how neural systems transition between states. I further transform these dynamics into visual and auditory representations, making complex neural computations both interpretable and intuitive.

Fun Fact: I’m currently writing a book titled Life of Humans: Theory of Anything, and I’m a lifelong Lewis Hamilton fan.

CompNeuroSociety Overview

CompNeuroSociety aims to foster interest and collaboration in computational neuroscience at Florida State University. Led primarily by undergraduate students, the society organizes workshops, journal clubs, guest speaker events, and collaborative projects to build skills and explore careers in this interdisciplinary field.

Purpose of the Graduate Student Advisory Council

The Graduate Student Advisory Council provides guidance, mentorship, and oversight to ensure sustainable growth and meaningful programming. Council members will:

Core Responsibilities

Council members commit to approximately 2–4 hours per month, with responsibilities structured modularly so members can choose how to contribute:

Time Commitment & Expectations

Practical Implementation Steps

  1. Slack Channel: Create a dedicated channel (e.g., #grad-advisory-council) for ongoing communication
  2. Kickoff Meeting: Hold an initial Zoom meeting to introduce council members, clarify roles, and outline the semester's priorities
  3. Constitution Amendment: Add a brief section to the society's constitution outlining the council's purpose and composition
  4. Website & Visibility: Feature council members on the website with photos and brief bios to encourage engagement

Opportunities for Service

By joining the Graduate Student Advisory Council, you'll:

Interested in Joining?

Fill out the form below to apply to the Graduate Student Advisory Council!

Apply to Graduate Advisory Council

Questions? Contact us at our contact page or reach out to any of our current leadership team members.