Chantal Shaib
Career Path: Research (Computational Intelligence)
- M.Sc. Applied Computing (University of Toronto)
Biography
After completing my undergraduate degree in ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Neuroscience, I pursued the MSc in Applied Computing at the University of Toronto. My research focus is Artificial Intelligence, specifically in looking at various brain-inspired algorithms and their usefulness in computation. I also explored how AI can help create tools in the healthcare field!
What stood out most to me about ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Neuroscience will echo the same sentiment as most other graduates from this program – the amazing faculty really make this department stand out. They are very approachable, and incredibly supportive! The department is small enough that you can create great connections with professors, and easily learn about the research that they’re doing. In my experience, if you have research ideas that bridge the field of neuroscience with other disciplines, they will help you get in contact with the right people, or simply just listen to your ideas and add their own perspectives. I’ve found this to be invaluable for deciding my path after this program.
Advice for Current Students
Try taking many classes outside of NEUR and PSYC, as it could lead you to different viewpoints of the material you’re learning. I had the chance to take computer science classes, and was able to look at how different mathematical/computational tools and theories are being used to investigate how the nervous system processes information.
If you’re interested in learning about AI from a biology perspective, take some computer science classes but be patient with the process! There is a lot to learn before you can jump into things like spiking neural networks. Don’t be afraid of carving your own path either. You might not find a lot of people studying at the exact intersection of the two fields; instead, try to talk to as many professors as you can across both computer science and neuroscience departments, and use their insights to refine your interests.