In this talk, I will introduce myself as a candidate for the junior permanent position at CEA-Saclay/IPhT. I will provide an overview of my academic background, outlining the main lines of my past and current research, and discussing my aspirations for future projects. Moreover, I aim to share my enthusiasm and expectations regarding the dynamic interface between statistical mechanics and neuroscience, which constitutes the focal point of my research endeavors.
The exploration of the human brain's function and consciousness stands as one of the most exciting challenges of the twenty-first century. This challenge can greatly benefit from the concepts and methodologies of statistical mechanics. Embracing insights derived from neuronal behavior, I advocate for an interdisciplinary approach wherein statistical mechanics emerges as a key framework for deciphering how macroscopic brain properties manifest from intricate neuronal interactions.
We find ourselves at a pivotal era in brain research, bolstered by cutting-edge technologies enabling brain activity measurements (such as EEG/MEG, fMRI, PET) and unprecedented computational capabilities for data analysis. As neuroimaging continues to unveil intricate neural processes, it not only enriches the landscape of possible applications of ideas and tools from statistical mechanics and theoretical physics but also provides an ideal terrain for exploring novel theoretical insights into the workings of the brain.