Grace Lindsay, "Models of the Mind: How Physics, Engineering and Mathematics Have Shaped Our Understanding of the Brain" (Bloomsbury, 2021)

Mar 20, 2025

Grace Lindsay, an assistant professor at NYU specializing in psychology and data science, discusses her book, which bridges neuroscience with physics and mathematics. She explores the benefits and limitations of mathematical models in understanding complex biological systems, using the whimsical 'spherical cow' analogy. Lindsay also delves into the intricacies of neuronal communication, lobster brain functionality, and the challenges of the motor cortex, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing neuroscience and addressing societal issues.

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Intro

00:00 • 1min

Bridging Neuroscience with Math and Physics

01:30 • 5min

Modeling Biology: The Spherical Cow Paradox

06:30 • 8min

Neuronal Signaling Unveiled

14:03 • 6min

Exploring Lobster Digestion and Brain Complexity

19:43 • 16min

Understanding the Intricacies of Motor Cortex Function

35:45 • 3min

Neuroscience and Interdisciplinary Innovation

38:46 • 11min

Models of the Mind: How Physics, Engineering and Mathematics Have Shaped Our Understanding of the Brain (Bloomsbury, 2021) provides a multifaceted and approachable introduction to theoretical neuroscience. It discusses some major topics of the field, including both the milestones from their history and the currently open questions.

It's accessible for a general audience, not expecting any previous knowledge of neuroscience or maths. At the same time, neuroscientists have described it as impressive. According to Gaute Einevoll, professor of brain physics, "this is a book that belongs on the bookshelf of any computational neuroscientist and lots of other people".

In our conversation, we covered some of the overarching themes of the book. The constant push and pull between mathematics and biology: mathematical models simplifying complex phenomena and biology pointing out the importance of a specific detail. What efficiency means for a biological system, like the brain. Whether and how much we can assume that an evolved system is efficient.

Dr. Grace Lindsay also talked about how science communication has helped her explore and discuss topics not directly related to her research. She started blogging and podcasting during her PhD, which has led to further writing opportunities, including this popular science book.

Similar to Models of the Mind, the Lindsay Lab is multidisciplinary: It uses artificial neural networks for psychology, neuroscience, and climate change. In the interview, Dr. Grace Lindsay talked about her decision about the lab's profile She explains the overlap in technologies used for studying visual systems and satellite images. We also hear about examples of how scientists in various fields have taken on research topics related to climate change.

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