I am Draco(Yunlong) Xu, I am a first-year Phd student in the Computational Neuroscience(CNS) program at the University of Chicago, advised by Prof. Brent Doiron. I also have collaborations with Prof. Marlene Cohen's lab and Prof. Wei Wei's lab.
Before moving to Chicago, I was an undergraduate student at University of Rochester, double majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics, both in honors B.S. programs, and minoring in Philosophy. I was advised by Prof. Fatemeh Nargesian, Prof. Duje Tadin, Prof. Alex Iosevich, and Prof. Alison Peterman at Rochester. I was affiliated with CogT Lab at Stanford University, advised by Prof. Vankee Lin and Prof. Ehsan Adeli, and CCNN Lab at SJTU, advised by Prof. Ruyuan Zhang. I also served as the chair of University of Rochester ACM Student Chapter.
I was also an undergraduate student at Fudan University(2018-2021), majoring in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.
Research Interests: Computational Neuroscience; Philosophy of Perception; Data Science for neuroscience
My research aims to decipher the mechanisms of perceptual experience in intelligent systems. This quest begins with an exploration of how humans, as conscious and intelligent beings, process and form conscious experiences of perception, cognition and reasoning through our neural systems. This intricate process allows us not only to feel and think but also to be aware of our thoughts and feelings. I propose that the human brain is a prime example of such a system, yet it is not the sole example. If Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is successfully developed, it would represent another potential form of an intelligent and possibly conscious system. A fundamental question in my research is whether these systems can genuinely experience perception or consciousness.
I am keen to explore whether, how, and why intelligent systems, including humans and AGI, can possess perceptual and phenomenological experiences. Is it possible to develop a scientific and computational model to explain these phenomena? The implications of such understanding are vast, extending even to concepts like mind uploading, often featured in science fiction.
To unravel these mysteries, we must delve into the general principles of perception, reasoning, learning, cognition, and consciousness. Understanding how these are implemented the brain is a crucial first step on this ambitious journey. I am dedicated to pushing us forward on this journey.
News:
2024/01/04: I am starting my second rotation in Prof. Wei Wei's lab. Prepared to learn short term synactic depression in retina!
2023/12/14: I have successfully finished my rotation presetation in Prof. Brent Doiron's Lab! Just received an offer which I have committed. Finally found a home for my Phd~
2023/09/28: I am starting my first rotation in Prof. Brent Doiron's Lab. Excited to work on balanced cortical networks.
2023/08/23: I am presenting RuleMatch: Matching Abstract Rules for Semi-supervised Learning of Human Standard Intelligence Tests at IJCAI 2023. Come take a look!
2023/07/01: I will be attending European Summer School in Sensory Neuroscience. See you guys in Pisa, Italy.
2023/06/10: I will be attending Mathematical Methods in Computational Neuroscience. See you guys in Eresfjord, Norway.
2023/05/15: I will be attending Nengo summer school on large-scale brain modelling and neuromorphic computing. See you guys in Waterloo, Canada.
2023/04/27: I have been awarded a scholarship to the 12th Annual Aquinas Philosophy Workshop on Evil. See you guys in Newburgh, NY.
2023/04/19: One paper was accepted in IJCAI. Looking forward to seeing you in Macau this summer!
2023/04/15: Thrilled to announce I'll be joining UChicago as a Ph.D. student in Computational Neuroscience (CNS) program!
2023/03/28: I have been selected as a featured researcher by the office of undergraduate research at the University of Rochester.
2023/02/28: I gave a talk at the School of Mathematical Sciences (my home department before) at Fudan University. It's nice to be back home.
2022/12/15: I was awarded the Honorable Mention for CRA Outstanding Undergraduate Researchers by CRA.