Open Science Neuro Hackathon

The Open Science Neuro Hackathon and Workshop is dedicated to building training, research, and software tools for neuroscientists and researchers across the African diaspora and continent.

The primary aim of this project is to offer a hackathon that addresses research challenges for neuroscientists of the African diaspora. The project facilitates the development of open-source and community-based research tools that can alleviate financial burdens for neuroscientists. The aims of the project are to increase access to neuroimaging technology and open-source analytical techniques on the African continent and globally, where scientists face challenges in these resources. Moreover, STEM fields broadly lack diverse and inclusive outreach for underrepresented, historically marginalized and underfunded communities. Finally, this project is committed to the delivery and development of ethically centered solutions for technology, computational methods, and inclusive practices for neuroscience domains.

Hackathon

The hackathon submissions will be open to individuals across career levels and trajectories, with the intention of addressing specific barriers.

Learn more about how to contribute.

View sample solutions in the GitHub repository.

Open Science Neuro Hackathon

The two-week program bridges interdisciplinary topics such as neuroscience, data science, ethics, and open access frameworks. Attendees will receive hands-on instruction and problem-solving experience by developing novel hackathon solutions. The course is Python-intensive and lectures will introduce neuroimaging data preparation, processing, and modeling. Attendees may present their solutions to their peers in a knowledge-sharing environment.

Dates: Feb 10 - 21, 2025

Schedule

Week One will focus on introductory and foundational learnings related to the human nervous system, coding in Python, and ethical problems within research and machine learning. This week may also introduce the hackathon framework.

Week Two will feature case study applications from guest speakers, hands-on activities, and dedicated time to develop and present novel solutions for the hackathon.

Textbook: https://neuraldatascience.io/

Additional Readings: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OGrmirS8VnAcQFARuVSWwKQ7ZWCv32qu?usp=drive_link

Short Course


Location: Lilongwe University for Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR)
Dates: Feb 10 - 21, 2025

Facilitators

Victoria McCray
Health Data Scientist | Director, Black In Neuro | MS Candidate in Bioinformatics, Northeastern University

Najja Marshall, PhD
Research Scientist, Meta Reality Labs

Eberechi Wogu, PhD
Director, African Brain Data Network | Neuroanatomy Lecturer, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Elizabeth Bandason, PhD
Head of Horticulture Department, LUANAR

Teaching Assistant

Dennis Makwakwa
Sr. Full Stack Engineer, LUANAR | MS Candidate in Artificial Intelligence, International University of Applied Sciences

Daily Agenda

Day 1: Introduction to Python for Data Analysis

Presenter: Victoria McCray

  • Learning data types, syntax, and structures for programming in Python
  • Principles for data visualization, data pipelines, and handling large datasets efficiently
  • Introduction to exploratory analysis and statistical analysis techniques using Python
  • Exposure to standard libraries for data processing like NumPy, Matplotlib, and Pandas

Day 2: Introduction to Neuroscience and Neuroimaging

Presenter: Victoria McCray

  • Metaphors for the brain and historical understanding of the nervous system
  • Modern neuroimaging techniques including fMRI and EEG
  • Structural and functional imaging types and data acquisition
  • Exposure to open-source libraries for neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and neuroinformatics

Day 3: Python Ecosystem for Neuroimaging

Presenter: Victoria McCray

  • Learn essential Python libraries for neuroimaging workflows
  • Work with BIDS/NIfTI formats and Nilearn
  • Manage datasets with DataLad
  • Leverage computing frameworks for large data

Days 4–5: Data Science Applications

Presenter: Victoria McCray

  • Explore data science and machine learning techniques
  • Understand the foundations of Graph Theory and Network Analysis
  • Implement applications for brain data and neuroimaging
  • Evaluate the implications of preprocessing steps and decisions on results

Day 6: Neuroethics and Bias

Presenter: Victoria McCray

  • Understand the significance of fairness and inclusivity in AI and neurotechnology
  • Explore the ethical implications of emerging technologies, particularly in neuroimaging and AI
  • Inclusive practices for data collection in experimental and clinical research
  • Discuss experimental, inferential, and algorithmic biases

Days 7–8: Open Science in Africa

Presenter: Eberechi Wogu, PhD

  • Discuss modern efforts to increase open access, open-source, and educational applications within the African continent
  • Learn from leading organizations such as the African Brain Data Network on techniques for capacity building

Days 8–9: Neuromotor Interfaces for Human-Computer Interaction

Presenter: Najja Marshall, PhD

  • Exposure to novel techniques for reading and processing neuromotor activity
  • An interactive tutorial for classification of gestures in Python with EMG data

Days 6–9: Hackathon Solution Development

  • Participants build a novel data science application using data from biological systems

Day 10: Solution Presentations and Program Close

Presenters: Hackathon Participants

  • Students and participants present their models, applications, and analyses for feedback

Additional Resources

A compiled opportunity list for relevant courses, trainings, and continued learning from TReND in Africa, Black In Neuro, African Brain Data Network, and other organizations: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HC4_1JtP9Md8OreAJPa7eFLNZDCsg4-gwbw0l6PCt-c/edit?usp=sharing

Acknowledgements

This project is made possible through the support of multiple collaborative partners.

I am grateful to TReND in Africa for cultivating and facilitating the partnership with Lilongwe University for Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR). The in-person workshop is coordinated with the support of the African Centre for Excellence (Agriculture and Policy Analysis) at LUANAR, and I extend my warm thank you to the organization for the collaboration.

I would like to extend my gratitude to my mentor Juliet Davidow, PhD and the support of the Learning and Brain Development Lab for guidance on the vision. I would also like to thank the Center for Emerging Markets at Northeastern University for the support as a recipient of the Srinivasan Award that was able to facilitate the project.

Moreover, the hackathon is made possible through the collaborative support of Black In Neuro and contributions from Meta Reality Labs.

Contributors and Special Thanks

Claire Fielder, Research Assistant
Learning and Brain Development Lab, Northeastern University



Paige Greenwood, PhD
Co-Director of Programming, Black In Neuro | Policy and Education Scientist



Clíona Murray, PhD
Co-Director of Programming, Black In Neuro | Post-Doctoral Fellow, Yale University



De-Shaine Murray, PhD
President, Black In Neuro | Post-Doctoral Fellow, Yale University

Additional Inspiration

African Brain Data Network
SPARC Africa
Society for Neuroscientists in Africa
International Brain Research Organization
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
Black In Neuro
ALBA
brainlife.io
EBRAINS
Women in Neuroscience Nigeria
Kavli Foundation
African Biogenome Project
Hack Diversity
TReND in Africa
NAAMII
Women in Data Science Worldwide
African Research Academy for Women
Brain Research Africa
International Society for Computational Biology