Mentors: Austin Soplata <austin_soplata@brown.edu>, Dylan S. Daniels <dylan_s_daniels@alumni.brown.edu>, Nicholas Tolley
Skill level: Intermediate
Required Skills: Experience with Python programming, experience with Git version control, experience with Pytest or software testing (optional), experience in neuroscience data analysis (optional)
Time commitment: Full time (350 hours)
Forum for discussion
About: Human Neocortical Neurosolver (HNN) is a software for interpreting the neural origin of macroscale magneto-/electro-encephalography (MEG/EEG) data using biophysically-detailed microcircuit simulations. HNN-core can be run through a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) or through a Python API as a library.
Resources:
Aims: The current codebase for HNN-core assumes that only one model Network is being simulated at a time. However, there is strong scientific motivation for simulating multiple distinct cortical networks which interact with each other (such as primary sensory cortex versus an association cortex). HNN-core needs the ability to create multiple distinct networks, create connections both within and between networks, and simulate them all. Subgoals include:
- Develop the
Network API to be able to add long-range connections to other Network objects.
- Develop the fundamental simulation API to support multiple networks, including
Dipole etc. output tied to each individual network.
- Develop existing or new analysis and plotting functions for analyzing the output of multiple networks, including inter-network communication
Website: https://hnn.brown.edu/
Tech keywords: Python, computational neuroscience, open-source, simulation, neuron
3 Likes
hi @asoplata ,@ Nicholas Tolley ,@ Dylan S. Daniels
this side dikshant jha ,I am a machine learning enthusiasts and would like to contribute in this project #22 of HNN-CORE ;which demands to develop an api to achieve the following funtionality .I do have a decent idea of hnn-core so ,It would be great if we can discuss regarding this and can you provide me some references of neuroscience data analysis in order to become comfortable with them .
Hi,
I’m Peicheng Li, an sophemore student majoring in Computer Science & Mathematics at the University of Minnesota. I’m really excited about the opportunity to contribute to the HNN-core project, specifically the development of the Python API for multi-network simulations.
With experience in Python, Git, and computational neuroscience, I’m eager to help expand the HNN-core to support multiple cortical networks and inter-network communication. I’d love to learn more about how the simulation API will be structured and how we can ensure smooth integration between networks.
Looking forward to contributing!
Email: li003347@umn.edu
hi @asoplata ,is there something we can look upon like any references for this project so that we can give our best in the proposal
Hello Dikshant and Peicheng, we (the HNN developers) thank you both for your interest. I have responded to your questions and messages directly via email.
Hello!
My name is Vincent Ho, and I am a first-year Data Science major at the University of California, Irvine. I have a strong interest in leveraging software and statistical methods to improve healthcare outcomes. Currently, I am involved in research on mobile health data and stress escalation at my university’s lab, as well as developing maternal health risk prediction models for CareTech at UCI.
I am particularly interested in contributing to the Python API development for multi-network simulations in HNN. My background in health data analysis has shown me the importance of computational tools in medical research, and I’m eager to contribute to a project with this meaningful clinical applications.
Through my coursework and projects, I’ve gained experience with, Python programming and machine learning/data visualizations library development, Git version control for collaborative projects, and data analysis and visualization techniques
I would love the opportunity to learn more about this project and how I could contribute.
Best,
Vincent Ho
vincenntho@gmail.com
Hi @asoplata , Nicholas Tolley and Dylan S. Daniels
I am Varnika Khare, I am currently a PhD scholar in Cognitive Science at IIT Hyderabad, India, working on motor memory consolidation.
While my research primarily involves behavioural and neural data analysis, I have experience with Python (especially for data visualization), and reinforcement learning and I currently use MATLAB for EEG signal processing.
I am interested in applying for this GSoC project “Develop Python API for multi-network simulations in Human Neocortical Neurosolver (HNN)”.
I am currently going through the websites provided in the description. I would love to know what my next steps are and where should I report to regarding my progress.
Best Regards.
Hello Vincent and Varnika, thank you for your interest in contributing to HNN-Core ( hnn-core — hnn-core documentation ) via the Google Summer of Code 2025 program. To gauge the seriousness of your application, we request that you submit a Pull Request containing some kind of small update to our code, and work with us to get it approved. If you are interested, please start by reading our Contributing Guide here Contributions — hnn-core documentation and abide by our Code of Conduct here hnn-core/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md at master · jonescompneurolab/hnn-core · GitHub . You can find good issues to start with here: GitHub · Where software is built . If you need help during the installation necessary for contributing, please start a new discussion at our Discussions page here jonescompneurolab/hnn-core · Discussions · GitHub and we can help you.
Hi @asoplata , @dylansdaniels
I’m Anushka Sharma, an engineering student interested in the GSoC 2025 project to support new cell types in HNN-core. I’m excited about contributing and would love to start exploring the codebase.
I’ve started exploring the GitHub repository and am currently working on a good first issue.
Thanks and looking forward to your guidance!
Best,
Anushka Sharma
anushka.care@gmail.com
Hi @asoplata , Dylan S. Daniels,
Thank you for the opportunity and the detailed guidance on contributing to HNN-Core!
I’m excited to be working on this project as part of my GSoC 2025 application. As a first contribution, I’ve submitted a pull request that improves the docstrings across most functions in the visualization module. The aim was to enhance clarity, consistency, and overall documentation quality.
Here’s the link to the PR: [AnuzkaSharma-docstring-viz.py]
Please let me know if there’s anything else I should improve or update. Looking forward to your feedback and continuing to contribute!
Best regards,
Anushka
Dear Austin Soplata,
Dear Dylan S. Daniels,
Dear Nicholas Tolley,
Good Morning,
I am Luca Pulga, a Bachelor’s student in Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Bologna, in Italy. I am very interested in the GSoC 2025 Project #22 regarding the development of a Python API for multi-network simulations in Human Neocortical Neurosolver.
I have experience in Python programming and Git.
My interest in computational neuroscience, especially in understanding neural modeling and its applications in brain-machine interfaces (BCI), aligns well with this project, in fact I’d like to pursue my Master Degree in Computational Neuroscience in the future.
Could you provide more details on the existing codebase and any specific challenges you foresee?
I look forward to your response and, eventually, the possibility of contributing to this project.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Your faithfully,
Luca Pulga
Hi @asoplata , Nicholas Tolley and Dylan S. Daniels
I’m Saswata Bose, currently in my sophomore year at International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad, pursuing a B. Tech in Computer Science with an MS (By Research) in Computational Linguistics. I am also pursuing a BS in Data Science and Applications at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. My research currently delves around Detection of Sleep Diseases using Bio-signals like EEG, MEG, ECG, EOG, etc. I also have a little experience in Brain Structure-Function Mapping using Bio-signals, including initial developments towards Neuro-controlled robotic limbs, Neural Speech Encoding, etc. I have a decent experience in Python and related deep learning frameworks, along with other languages including Java, C++, Web Development Frameworks, Git, etc.
I’m excited and interested about the opportunity to contribute to your organization as part of this year’s GSoC, particularly in the Project #22: Develop Python API for multi-network simulations in Human Neocortical Neurosolver. I am getting my hands on the codebase and have started going through the raised good first issues to understand the codebase in depth and be able to make meaningful contributions.
I am eager to know more about the project and the existing problems, so as to gain clarity over the project requirements and have a better idea to contribute meaningfully to the solution. As per the current state, I have developed some preliminary idea about the problem statement which include inter-network and intra-network connection mappings, which would include changes to certain objects and classes pretty evident from the code. I would like to talk with you regarding the further developments possible towards the directions and to obtain more clarity about the implementations and theoretical aspects.
Thanks for your time and consideration, Looking forward to make good contributions!
Regards,
Saswata Bose
saswata.bose@research.iiit.ac.in
Subject: Inquiry About GSoC 2025 Project on HNN-Core
Dear Austin, Dylan, and Nicholas,
I hope you are doing well. My name is Divyanjali Khorkar, and I am a 2nd-year BTech student in Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering at MKSSS Cummins College of Engineering for Women, Pune. I am interested in contributing to the HNN-core project as part of Google Summer of Code 2025.
I have a strong background in Python and Git version control and have worked on signal processing as part of my coursework in MATLAB. While I do not have prior experience with neuroscience data analysis, I am eager to learn and contribute to the project. I am particularly interested in simulation-based projects and working with biophysically-detailed models.
I would love to understand how I can best contribute to this project. Are there any beginner-friendly issues or resources I should explore before drafting my proposal? Additionally, is prior knowledge of computational neuroscience required, or would a willingness to learn be sufficient?
Looking forward to your guidance.
Best regards,
Divyanjali Khorkar
Email: divyanjalikhorkar@gmail.com
Dear Mentors and HNN Community,
I hope this message finds you well. My name is Sundara Bhanu Karthikeya Vakkalanka, and I am currently a third-year Computer Science and Engineering student at Aditya College of Engineering and Technology, India.
I am writing to express my strong interest in the project “Develop Python API for Multi-Network Simulations in Human Neocortical Neurosolver (HNN)” for Google Summer of Code 2025.
Having a solid foundation in Python programming and version control systems like Git, I am eager to contribute to this exciting project. I have started exploring theHNN-core tutorials and examples to understand the current capabilities and workflows of HNN-core. I am also reviewing the contributing guide to align my work with the community standards.
The project’s goal of enabling multi-network simulations is particularly exciting to me, as it holds immense potential for advancing our understanding of cortical interactions. I am enthusiastic about working on extending the Network API, supporting multiple networks in the simulation framework, and contributing to enhanced analysis and visualization tools for inter-network communication.
I would greatly appreciate any guidance on how to further prepare for this project, including any specific areas I should focus on to strengthen my proposal. If there are open issues or areas in the codebase where I can start contributing immediately, please do let me know!
Looking forward to your suggestions and excited to engage with the community.
Best regards,
Sundara Bhanu Karthikeya Vakkalanka
Third-Year Student, Computer Science and Engineering
Aditya College of Engineering and Technology
Email: karthikeyavakkalanka@gmail.com
Phone: +91 7013922297