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Dr. Subhasis Ray

Assistant Professor, Plaksha University



Area of Expertise

Computational and experimental Neuroscience



Research Interests

  • Chemical senses and sensory-guided behavior
  • Neurophysiology and neural networks in animal brains
  • Computational modeling of biological neural networks
  • Tools for simulation and data analysis in Biology

Education

  • Ph.D. in Biology, NCBS, TIFR, Bangalore, India
  • B.E. in Computer Science and Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India

Past Associations

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, NICHD, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, USA
  • Software Engineer, IBM India Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata, India

  • About

  • Research

  • Publications

  • People

How does the brain process sensory information to generate behavior? Subhasis investigates this experimentally using simple model animals like insects, and complements that with computational modeling. He is also interested in developing software tools for facilitating computational modeling and data analysis in Neuroscience.

Before joining Plaksha, Subhasis was a Postdoctoral Fellow at NICHD/NIH, USA, where he investigated olfactory information processing in the insect brain using electrophysiology experiments and computational modeling. He received his PhD from National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Bangalore. There he worked on modeling cortical neural networks, as well as developing a biological simulator and formats for model and data description in neuroscience.

Prior to his PhD, Subhasis worked as a Software Engineer in the IT Industry after obtaining his undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

Research area

How do animals navigate their environment using their senses? The brain combines different sensory streams like vision, smell, touch, and hearing along with information from prior experience such that an animal can move around to find food and mate, and escape predators and other dangers. We are interested in understanding the neural pathways and mechanisms underlying the integration of these sensory inputs and with memory.

For this, one can look at the behavior of animals while manipulating their sensory inputs. And at the physiological level, one can record the activities of neurons in the brain in response to various stimuli. By analyzing behavior and neuronal activity, one hopes to figure out the principles underlying navigation in animals. Simple model animals like insects are well suited for these studies because they are usually robust and easy to experiment with.

One can then use experimental data to build computational models and explore beyond what is possible in physical experiments, and obtain theoretical understanding of these principles.

Techniques applied in our research

We use computer vision algorithms to analyze behavior of animals from recorded videos, and apply signal processing , information theory, and other analytical tools for investigating electrophysiological data. We also develop biophysically detailed models of single neurons and their networks, and conduct in silico experiments with these models. This requires simulation tools, precise formats for describing models and neuronal (experimental and simulated) data, which form part of the field of Neuroinformatics.

Journals

S. Ray, K. Sun, and M. Stopfer, “Innate attraction and aversion to odors in locusts,” PLOS ONE, vol. 18, no. 7, p. e0284641, Jul. 2023, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284641.

S. Ray and M. A. Stopfer, “Argos: A toolkit for tracking multiple animals in complex visual environments,” Methods in Ecology and Evolution, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 585-595, Mar. 2022, doi: 10.1111/2041-210X.13776.

S. Ray, Z. N. Aldworth, and M. A. Stopfer, “Feedback inhibition and its control in an insect olfactory circuit,” eLife, vol. 9, p. e53281, Mar. 2020, doi: 10.7554/eLife.53281.

S. Ray, C. Chintaluri, U. S. Bhalla, and D. K. Wójcik, “NSDF: Neuroscience Simulation Data Format,” Neuroinformatics, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 147–167, Apr. 2016, doi: 10.1007/s12021-015-9282-5.

P. Gleeson, S. Crook, R. C. Cannon, M. L. Hines, G. O. Billings, M. Farinella, T. M. Morse, A. P. Davison, S. Ray, U. S. Bhalla, S. R. Barnes, Y. D. Dimitrova, and R. A. Silver, “NeuroML: A Language for Describing Data Driven Models of Neurons and Networks with a High Degree of Biological Detail,” PLoS Comput Biol, vol. 6, no. 6, p. e1000815, Jun. 2010, doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000815.

S. Ray and U. S. Bhalla, “PyMOOSE: Interoperable scripting in Python for MOOSE,” Front. Neuroinform., vol. 2, p: n/a, Dec. 2008, doi: 10.3389/neuro.11.006.2008.

 

Subhasis' Google Scholar page

Book Chapters

Subhasis Ray "Anubhutir Bahir O Bhitar (অনুভূতির বাহির ও ভিতর)", in Pratihar, S. (ed) Pran Pelo Prithibi (প্রাণ পেলো পৃথিবী), A Collection of Essays. Kabitika, 2022

N. Dudani, U. S. Bhalla, and S. Ray, “MOOSE, the Multiscale Object-Oriented Simulation Environment”, in Jaeger, D. and Jung, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Computational Neuroscience. New York, NY: Springer, pp. 14., 2013, doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-7320-6_257-1. ISBN: 978-1-4614-7320-6

 

Prashant Tiwari

Plaksha Summer Student

I'm Prashant Tiwari, hailing from a farming background. Nature captivates me, seen in my love for mango orchards and vast farmlands. Understanding the behavior of living beings is my research passion. I seek to understand their survival tactics, family dynamics, and food acquisition. Solving real-life challenges using technology intrigues me too: earthquakes, irrigation, pollution, energy, and transportation. In my free time, I explore the past's mysteries, play sports, create videos, write, and venture into new territories. My curiosity knows no bounds — I'm driven to unravel nature's enigmas.
 

Govind Singh

Plaksha Summer Student

  

Shagun Rana

Plaksha Research Fellow

Hello, I'm Shagun, a postgraduate in Computer Science and Information Security. Currently, I am on an exciting journey of exploration, trying to discover my research interest. Recently, I have developed a growing fascination with neuroscience and find myself drawn to the idea of merging it with principles of computer vision. I strongly believe in the power of simplicity and always strive to make the most out of less. I am truly excited about the possibilities that lie ahead on this exploration, and look forward to the challenges and discoveries that await me.

Harshpreet Kaur

PhD Student

I’m Harshpreet Kaur, a postgraduate in Biophysics Honours, I am on an exciting odyssey of self-exploration, in pursuit of the boundless mysteries that science has to offer. During my research endeavours, I have become particularly fascinated by neurological studies with their potential applications in addressing and tracking animal behaviours, associated diseases and challenges. In my free time, I like cooking, playing sports, drawing, writing, and volunteering in outreach programs. My journey in neuroscience has just begun, and the crescendo of discovery awaits.