Steven M. Baer works in the area of mathematical and computational neuroscience. The goal of his neuroscience research program is to develop mathematical/computational tools to obtain new insights into the electro-chemical properties of individual neurons and their networks. At the network level his primary goal is to unravel the biophysical mechanisms of learning in the brain by exploring models of synaptic plasticity (the ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time). Another goal is to build a biophysically realistic continuum model of network activity in the retina. As an applied mathematician Baer works in the area of nonlinear dynamics; perturbation methods; bifurcation and stability. His research program is highly interdisciplinary with co-authors from biology, engineering, physics, and mathematics.
Education
Ph.D. University of Illinois, Chicago
Publications
Gardner CL, Jones JR, Baer SM, and Chang S. Simulaton of the ephaptic effect in the cone-horizontal cell synapse of the retina. SIAM J. Appl. Math (2013).
Berger, S.D., Baer, S.M., and Crook, S.M. A continuum approach to model neurites/dendrites with emerging subtrees. BMC Neuroscience 14(Suppl 1):P. 73 (2013) (2013).
McCamy M, Otero-Millan J, Macknik SL, Yang Y, Troncoso X, Baer SM, Crook SM, Martinez-Conde S. Microsaccadic efficacy and contribution to foveal and peripheral vision. The Journal of Neuroscience (2012).
Berger SD, Baer SM, Crook SM. Estimation of electrical properties of dendrites with branches using a continuum modeling formulation. Neuroscience Abstracts/ Society for Neuroscience (2012) (2012).
Bilinsky L, Baer SM. Slow current ramps lead to distal initiation of action potentials in excitable spiny cables and networks. Neuroscience Abstracts/ Society for Neuroscience (2012) (2012).
Baer, S.M., S. Crook, M. Dur-e-Ahmad, and Z. Jackiewicz. Baer, S.M., S. Crook, M. Dur-e-Ahmad, and Z. Jackiewicz. J. Computational and Applied Mathematics. 229:416-424 (2009) (2009).
Chang, S., Baer, S.M., Crook, S.M. Gardner, C.L., and C. Ringhofer. Computational study of cat retinal cone-horizontal cell interaction. Neuroscience Abstracts/ Society for Neuroscience (2009) (2009).
Baer, S.M., Gaekel, E.M. Slow acceleration and deacceleration through a Hopf bifurcation: Power ramps, target nucleation, and elliptic bursting. Physical Review E (2008).
Baer, S.M., S. Crook, M. Dur-e-Ahmad. and Z. Jackiewicz. Numerical solution of calcium mediated dendritic branch model. Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics (2008).
Baer, S., S. Crook, and M. McCamy. Modeling structural plasticity in dendrites with multiple spine types. BMC Neuroscience (2008).
Chang, S., S.M. Baer, S.M, Crook, C.L. Gardner, and C. Ringhofer. Modeling the GABA and ephaptic feedback mechanisms in cat outer retina. BMC Neuroscience 2008 (2008).
Dur-E-Ahmad Crook, Steven Baer. A model of activity-dependent changes in dendrtic spine density and structure. Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering (2007).
Kooi Baer, Thieme Kuznetsov, Steven Baer. Multiparametric bifurcation analysis of a basic two stage population model. SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics (2006).
Li Baer, Steven Baer. Multiple limit cycles in the standard model of three species competition for three essential resources. Journal of Mathematical Biology (2006).
D Verzi, M Rheuben, Steven Baer. Impact of time-dependent changes in spine density and spine shape on the input-output properties of a dendritic branch: A computational study. J. Neurophysiology (2005).
D Verzi, Steven Baer. Calcium-mediated spine stem restructuring. Mathematical and Computer Modelling (2005).
Steven Baer, R Nelson, D Zela. A computational study of background-induced flicker enhancement in cat retinal horizontal cells. Invest. Ophth Vis Sci 44 (2003).
R Kuske, Steven Baer. Asymptotic analysis of noise sensitivity in a neuronal burster. Bulletin of Math. Biol (2002).
Research Activity
Baer,Steven M*, Crook,Sharon Marie, Gardner,Carl L, Ringhofer,Christian. Multiscale Modeling of the Neural Subcircuits in the Outer-Plexiform Layer of the Retina. NSF-MPS-DMS(9/1/2007 - 8/31/2011).
Baer,Steven M*. MODELING INTEGRATION OF MSI. NSF-MPS(7/14/1994 - 7/31/1998).
Baer, SM. Modeling feedback mechanisms and neural subcircuits in the vertebrate outer Retina. Banner Sun Health Research Institute symposium/workshop (May 2014).
Baer, SM. Multiscale Modeling of Neural Subcircuits and Feedback Mechanisms in the Outer Plexiform Layer of the Retina. Mathematics seminar speaker at Duke University (Mar 2014).
S.M. Baer and C.L. Gardner. Minisymposium on Modeling Ionic Flows in Biological Cells. The 2013 Annual Meeting of The Society for Mathematical Biology (Jun 2013).
S.M. Baer. Multiscale Modeling of the Outer-Plexiform Layer of the Retina: GABA vs. Ephaptic Feedback Mechanisms. The 2013 Annual Meeting of The Society for Mathematical Biology (Jun 2013).
Baer SM, Bilinsky L. Asymptotic and computational analysis of Membrane Accommodation in Nerve. Mathematical Biology Seminar Series (Jan 2012).
Baer SM. A continuum model of background-induced flicker enhancement in cat retina. International Congress of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (ICIAM 2011); Vancouver, Canada (Jul 2011).
Baer SM. Singular perturbation analysis of membrane accommodation in nerve. International Congress of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (ICIAM 2011); Vancouver, Canada (Jul 2011).
Baer, S.M. Slow acceleration and de-acceleration through a Hopf bifurcation with application to neuronal and chemical systems. Applied Math colloquia at Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois (Oct 2010).
Baer, S.M. Slow acceleration and de-acceleration through a Hopf bifurcation with application to neuronal and chemical systems. Mathematical Biology colloquia at Purdue University, W. Lafayette, Indiana (Oct 2010).
Baer, S.M. New insights into dynamic bifurcation problems with application to neuronal and chemical systems. Workshop on Bifurcation Analysis and its Applications, Montreal, Canada, July 7-10, 2010 (Jul 2010).
Baer, S.M. Exploring Hopf bifurcations with examples from neuroscience. Seminar to University of Michigan Graduate Students (Oct 2009).
Baer, S.M> and Lopez, J. Deterministic and Stochastic Forcing of Non-linear Dynamical Systems. SIAM Conference on Applications of Dynamical Systems, Snow- bird, Utah (2009) (May 2009).
Baer, S.M. Slow Acceleration and De-acceleration Through a Hopf Bifurcation. SIAM Conference on Applications of Dynamical Systems, Snow- bird, Utah (2009) (May 2009).
Baer, S.M. Multiscale Modeling of Neural Subcircuits in the Retina. SIAM Conference on the Life Sciences, Aug. 4-7, 2008 (Aug 2008).
Baer, S.M. Modeling Neural Subcircuits in the Outer-Plexiform Layer of the Retina. 2008 SIAM Annual Meeting, July 7-11, San Diego, CA (Jul 2008).
Baer, Steven. The graduate program at Arizona State University. Partner's Day, Mathematical Biosciences Institute, Ohio State University (Nov 2006).
Baer, Steven. Slow Passage through a Hopf Bifurcation: New insights into the memory effect. American Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Poitier, France (Jun 2006).
Baer, Steven. Modeling the interaction between electrical activity and neuronal plasticity in dendritic cables. ASU Bioengineering Seminar Series (Jan 2006).
Baer, Steven. A Mathematical Model for Calcium-Mediated Spine Restructuring. Biophest at Arizona State University April 30, 2005 (Apr 2005).
Baer, Steven. A computational Study of background -induced flicker enhancement. The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmalogy (ARVO)
Dinov, I, Baer, Steven, Hoppensteadt, F, Smith, H. Mathematical Modeling in Neuroscience, Biomedicine, Genetics and Epidemiology. Joint Annual Meeting, American Mathematical Society
Baer, Steven. Ramping through a Hopf bifurcation: New insights into the memory effect with application to neuronal bursting. First World Congress on Applied Mathematics
Baer, Steven. Slow passage through a Hopf bifurcation: New insights into the memory effect with application to neuronal bursting.
Baer, Steven. Slow passage through a Hopf bifurcation: New insights into the memory effect with application to neuronal bursting.
Baer, Steven. The dynamics between electrical activity and restructuring in dendrites. SIAM Conference on Applications of Dynamical Systems
