Albert Compte organizes the 1st Simons-BioRTC school in Damaturu (Nigeria)

This summer, several members of our lab travelled to Damaturu, Nigeria, to help launch the first edition of an intensive course in computational neuroscience at the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) at Yobe State University. The course was co-directed by Albert Compte together with Miguel Maravall from the University of Sussex.

The goal of this initiative is to provide the local scientific community with accessible computational tools to study neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, while helping to strengthen biomedical research in a region heavily affected by humanitarian crises. The project builds on the growing momentum around the BioRTC, led by Mahmoud Maina, and is carried out in collaboration with the University of Sussex.

The course took place from July 7–18, 2025, and received more than 300 applications for only 30 spots. Participants came mainly from Nigeria, but also from several other African countries, and included Master’s students, PhD students, and young faculty members. Over two intensive weeks, they attended theoretical and hands-on sessions and developed small research projects that they presented at the end of the course.

Beyond the academic activities, we also had the chance to take part in cultural events and meetings with local institutions, which made the experience especially enriching for everyone involved.

Our team in Nigeria included Albert Compte, Jaime de la Rocha, Melanie Tschiersch, and Alexandre Mahrach and Joao Barbosa (a former BCB member). Michela Bertero, IDIBAPS Director of Strategy, also contributed with an online session about international funding opportunities.

Our impression from the evaluation we had with the students is the course went quite well and that they enjoyed it a lot (hear their opinions in the video below).

The project is supported by the Simons Foundation and the Yobe State government. Three editions of the course are planned through 2027, together with joint Europe–Africa seminars and remote tutorials. In addition, through the project “Strengthening computational research in biomedicine in northeastern Nigeria: beyond humanitarian action,” funded by Campus Clínic Solidari, two Nigerian students will soon carry out research stays at IDIBAPS in Barcelona.