# CSHL Vision: A Platform for Linking Circuits, Perception and Behavior Course

> **NIH NIH R13** · COLD SPRING HARBOR LABORATORY · 2020 · $1

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The primary objective of the proposed course is to provide an in-depth and modern tutorial on
the organization, structure, and function of the visual system. In the past three iterations of the
course, renewed focus has been placed on diseases of the visual system and the development
and implementation of novel techniques and approaches to study the structure and function of
the visual system – both on a cellular and systems level. The course format continues to evolve
after >25 years in order to deliver the most comprehensive and impactful training in vision
science to the students and to encourage students to develop their own framework for thinking
about vision. Days are organized into thematic topics (e.g. color vision, motion detection
throughout the visual system) in which two world-renowned experts provide the students: 1) a
comprehensive overview of the subfield including historical perspective; 2) descriptions of
current understanding of progress in the subfield, critical issues, and novel methods in use; 3)
presentations of cutting edge, often unpublished, research within the subfield; and 4) ample
opportunities for interaction with instructors to share ideas and receive feedback on students'
own research. Instructors are chosen on the basis of their longstanding and/or particularly
significant contributions to the field. Each instructor provides in-depth expertise in a specific
area that complements the others and the instructors are “clustered” along themes or topics
over 1-2 day spans to encourage thorough coverage of a subfield, controversies and all.
Teaching ability and willingness to interact with students is also a serious consideration when
inviting instructors. The trainees (~22-25) are chosen by the course directors from a large pool
of applicants. This course provides an unusual opportunity for scientists already in vision
science to deepen their knowledge and formulate plans for their work and for those new to the
system to get up to speed on the history, models, and modern techniques and understanding in
vision science. Students of the course gain an unparalleled foundation of knowledge above and
beyond anything offered in a typical graduate school course. But perhaps more importantly for
their future careers, students define their framework for studying the visual system, often
embarking on new lines of inquiry and/or collaborations following their course experience.
Evidence for success of the Vision Course lies in the large percentage of students who go on to
run their own independent laboratories. The course has consistently made, and will continue to
make, efforts to include a diverse group of participants, being particularly mindful of the
inclusion of women, US minorities and a good balance of national and international students
and instructors.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9902527
- **Project number:** 5R13EY030303-02
- **Recipient organization:** COLD SPRING HARBOR LABORATORY
- **Principal Investigator:** DAVID J. STEWART
- **Activity code:** R13 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9902527

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9902527, CSHL Vision: A Platform for Linking Circuits, Perception and Behavior Course (5R13EY030303-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9902527. Licensed CC0.

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