Research Interests

• Theoretical Neuroscience: exact dynamics of spiking neural networks; methods for detecting precise timing in experimental data; short term plasticity and learning.
  
  
• Statistical Physics and Graph Theory: Random Matrix Theory and applications; reversible aggregation phenomena (explained by developing a unifying theory); developing symbolic algorithms for invariant polynomials of large graphs (an NP-complete problem).
  
  
• Dynamical Systems: theory of Unstable Attractors; high-dimensional systems; synchronization; topology - dynamics relations in complex networks; artificial computation by exploiting instabilities.

Education

• 1999 - 2002 doctoral student in the Nonlinear Dynamics Group at the Max-Planck-Institut für Strömungsforschung : 
• Doctoral Thesis in Theoretical Physics: Collective Dynamics in Networks of
  Pulse-Coupled Oscillators. Advisor:  Prof. T. Geisel together with F. Wolf
  
• 1997 - 1998 graduate student in physics in the C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics at the State University of New York at Stony Brook
• Master's Thesis in Theoretical Physics: Studies on Ground State Entropy in
  Antiferromagnetic Potts Models. Advisor:Prof. R. Shrock
• 1994 - 1999 studies of physics at the University of Würzburg

Awards and Scholarships

• 2003 Berliner Ungewitter Price
  of the Faculty of Physics (Göttingen) for outstanding doctoral thesis and examination
• 2002 Otto Hahn Medal
  of the Max Planck Society for outstanding research
  
• 1998 Scholarship of the Stony Brook Foundation
  for summer research at the State University of New York at Stony Brook
• 1998 Scholarship of the State University of New York at Stony Brook
  for graduate studies and research
  
• 1997 Scholarship of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
  for Master's studies abroad

Publications

• Sequential Desynchronization in Networks of Spiking Neurons with Partial Reset
  C. Kirst, T. Geisel and M. Timme
  Phys. Rev. Lett. 102:068101 (2009). (pdf) -- Editor's Suggestion
  

• Counting complex disordered states by efficient pattern matching: chromatic polynomials and Potts partition functions
  M. Timme, F. van Bussel, D. Fliegner, and S. Stolzenberg
  New J. Phys. 11:023001 (2009). (pdf)  -- press coverage: Computer Zeitung, Spiegel Online, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Today's Science, ...
  

• From networks of unstable attractors to heteroclinic switching
  C. Kirst and M. Timme
  Phys. Rev. E 78:R065201 (2008).  (pdf) -- (Rapid Communication)

• Stable Irregular Dynamics in Complex Neural Networks
  S. Jahnke, R.-M. Memmesheimer, and M. Timme
  Phys. Rev. Lett. 100:048102 (2008). (pdf)
  

• The simplest problem in the collective dynamics of neural networks: is synchrony stable?
  M. Timme and F. Wolf
  Nonlinearity 21:1579 (2008). (pdf)

• Revealing Network Connectivity From Response Dynamics
  M. Timme
  Phys. Rev. Lett. 98(22): 224101 (2007). (pdf)

• Phase Synchronization between LFP and Spiking Activity in Motor Cortex  During Movement Preparation
  M. Denker, S. Roux, M. Timme, A. Riehle, S. Grün
  Neurocomputing 70:2096 (2007). (pdf) 

• Designing the Dynamics of Spiking Neural Networks
  R.-M. Memmesheimer and M. Timme
  Phys. Rev. Lett. 97(18):188101 (2006). (pdf)

• Designing Complex Networks
  R.-M. Memmesheimer and M. Timme
  Physica D 224:182 (2006). (pdf)

• Does Dynamics Reflect Topology in Directed Networks?
  M. Timme
  Europhys. Lett. 76:367 (2006). (pdf)

• Speed of synchronization in complex networks of neural oscillators:
  Analytic results based on Random Matrix Theory
  M. Timme, T. Geisel, and F. Wolf
  Chaos 16:015108 (2006). (pdf)

• Nonlinear dynamics:  When instability makes sense
  P. Ashwin and M. Timme
  Nature 436:36-37 (2005). (News & Views) (pdf)

• Unstable attractors: existence and robustness in networks of oscillators with delayed pulse coupling
  P. Ashwin and M. Timme
  Nonlinearity 18:2035–2060 (2005).(pdf)

• Long Chaotic Transients in Complex Networks
  A. Zumdieck, M. Timme, T. Geisel, and F. Wolf.
  Phys. Rev. Lett. 93(24):244103 (2004). (pdf)
  
  
• Topological Speed LImits to Network Synchronization
  M. Timme, F. Wolf, and T. Geisel.
  Phys. Rev. Lett. 92(7):074101 (2004). (pdf)
  
  
• Breaking Synchrony by Heterogeneity in Complex Networks
  M. Denker, M. Timme, M. Diesmann, F. Wolf, and T. Geisel.
  Phys. Rev. Lett. 92(7):074103 (2004). (pdf)
  
  
• Unstable attractors induce perpetual synchronization and desynchronization [P03-1].
  M. Timme, F. Wolf, and T. Geisel.
  Chaos, 13:377-387 (2003). (pdf)

• Prevalence of Unstable Attractors in Networks of Pulse-Coupled Oscillators [N02-9].
  M. Timme, F. Wolf, and T. Geisel.
  Phys. Rev. Lett., 89(15):154105 (2002). (pdf)

• Coexistence of Regular and Irregular Dynamics in Complex Networks of Pulse-Coupled Oscillators [N02-15].
  M. Timme, F. Wolf, and T. Geisel.
  Phys. Rev. Lett., 89(25):258701 (2002). (pdf)

• Universal Attractors of Reversible Aggregate-Reorganization Processes [N02-7].
  S. Großkinsky, M. Timme, and B. Naundorf.
  Phys. Rev. Lett., 88(24):245501 (2002). (pdf)

• Coordintating Spike Times in Random Neural Networks
  Colloquium, Research Center for Mathematical Modelling, University of Bielefeld, Germany (2007).
  
  
• Designing the Dynamics of Networks
  Dynamics Days Europe, Hersonissou, Greece (2006).
  
  
• Unstable Attractors, Synchronization and Precise Timing
  Symposium, Max Planck Society, Munich, Germany (2006).
  
  
• Speed Limits in Biological Neural Networks
  Workshop "Stochastic Eigenanalysis and Its Applications"
  Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston, USA (2006).
  
  
• Unstable Attractors, Synchronization and Computation: Exact Dynamics of Spiking Neural Networks
  Colloquium, Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA (2006).
  
  
• Synchronization and Precise Timing in Strongly Heterogeneous Neural Networks with Delays
  Workshop "Dynamics on Complex Networks and Applications", Dresden (2006).
  
  
• Impact of Neural Network Connectivity on Dynamics
  Neuroinformatics and Theoretical Neuroscience, Institute for Biology, Freie Universität Berlin (2006).
  
  
• Precise Dynamics of Spiking Neural Networks -- Unstable Attractors, Synchronization and Natural Computation
  Colloquium, Institute for Mathematics and Computing Science, University of Groningen, The Netherlands (2005).
  
  
• Exact Dynamics of Networks of Spiking Neurons -- Unstable Attractors, Computation and Spike Patterns
  Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences, Leipzig  (2005).
  
  
• Network Topology Induces Speed Limits to Coordinating Spikes: A Novel Application of Random Matrix Theory
  Volkswagen Foundation Project Workshop "Dynamics of Cortical Cell Assemblies", Konrad Zuse Institute Berlin (ZIB), Germany (2005).
  
  
• Topological Speed Limits to Coordinating Spikes -- A Novel Approach Using Random Matrix Theory
  Kick-Off Meeting Bernstein Centers for Computational Neuroscience, Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Berlin (2004).
  
  
• Synchrony, Unstable Attractors, and Beyond -- Does the Structure of a Neural Network Control its Dynamics?
  Seminar at the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences, Leipzig (2004).
  
  
• What does Neural Network Connectivity Tells us about Its Dynamics?
  Seminar of the Computational Neurophysics Group, Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg (2004).
  
  
• Cooperative Dynamics in Complex Networks
  Dept. of Science and Engineering, International University of Bremen (2004).
  
  
• Synchrony Breaking in the Dynamics of Complex Networks
  4th Dresdner Herbstseminar "Dynamics on Complex Networks", Dresden (2003).
  
  
• Synchrony Breaking in Complex Neural Networks:
  Unstable Attractors, Long Transients, Speed Limits, and Patterns
  Workshop on "The Dynamics of Complex Networks", Eilat, Israel (2003).
  
  
• Collective Dynamics in Networks of Pulse-Coupled Oscillators:
  From Unstable Attractors to Complex Network Structure
  Workshop on Attractors and Coupled Systems, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Exeter (2003).
  
  
• Unstable Attractors
  3rd Dresdner Herbstseminar: Nichtlineare Stochastische Prozesse (2002).
  
  
• Can the same neuronal interactions create synchronous and asynchronous activity?
  Seminar Talk given at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt/M., Germany (2001).
  
  
• Synchronization and desynchronization in neural networks by local interactions.
  Seminar Talk given at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany (2000).
  
  
• Novel Computer Algebra Algorithm Finds Exact Chromatic Polynomials of Large Lattice Graphs
  Institute for Physics, Theoretical Physics II, University of Bayreuth, Germany (1999).
  
  
• Ground State Entropy in Antiferromagnetic Potts Models
  Seminar at the Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Tübingen, Germany (1998).
  
  

• Network Topology Induces Speed Limits to Coordinating Spikes
  — An Approach Using Random Matrix Theory
  M. Timme, F. Wolf, and T. Geisel
  In Verhandl. DPG (VI) 40, 2/2005, SYBN 2.2, pg 626 (2005).
  
  
• Arbitrarily Long Spike Patterns in Heterogenous Neural Networks
  R.-M. Memmesheimer, M. Timme, and T. Geisel
  In Verhandl. DPG (VI) 40, 2/2005, DY 22.6, pg 202 (2005).
  
  
• Long Chaotic Transients and Robust Synchronization in Complex Neural Networks
  A. Zumdieck, M. Timme, T. Geisel, F. Wolf.
  Bulletin of the APS 49(1) Part 2, pg 1209 (V8 8); APS March Meeting, Montreal (2004).
  
  
• How Fast Can Networks Synchronize? A Random Matrix Theory Approach
  M. Timme, F. Wolf, and T, Geisel
  Bulletin of the APS 49(1) Part 2, pg 1396 (Y18 8); APS March Meeting, Montreal (2004).
  
  
• Topological Speed Limits to Network Synchronization
  M. Timme, F. Wolf and T. Geisel
  In Verhandl. DPG (VI) 39, 1/2004,  DY21.3, pg ??? (2004).
  
  
• Dynamics of Neurons with Residual Post-Spike Response to Synaptic Input Currents
  
C. Kirst, M. Timme,  and T. Geisel
In Verhandl. DPG (VI) 39, 1/2004,  DY24.4, pg ??? (2004).


• Synchronization of pulse-coupled oscillators on complex networks [N03-1].
  M. Timme, F. Wolf, and T. Geisel.
  In Verhandl. DPG VI 38, 5/2003, 142 (2003).

• Precise timing of spikes in complex neural networks [N03-2].
  M. Denker, M. Timme, M. Diesmann, F. Wolf, and T. Geisel.
  In Verhandl. DPG VI 38, 5/2003, 144 (2003).
  
  
• Unstable synchronization and switching among unstable attractors in spiking neural networks [N01-11].
  M. Timme, F. Wolf, and T. Geisel. (Talk given by T. Geisel)
  In 265. WE-Heraeus Seminar "Synchronization in Physics and Neuroscience", 2001.
  
  
• Unstable attractors in networks of pulse-coupled oscillators [N01-12].
  M. Timme, F. Wolf, and T. Geisel.
  In Europhysics Conference Abstracts 25 F, 20 (2001); International Conference on Complex Networks, Kiel (2001).
  
  
• Unstable attractors in networks of biological oscillators [N01-13].
  M. Timme, F. Wolf, and T. Geisel.
  In European Dynamics Days 2001 (Dresden) - Book of Abstracts,  51-52, 2001.
  
  
• Unstable attractors in neural networks [N01-6].
  M. Timme, F. Wolf, and T. Geisel.
  In Verhandl. DPG VI 36, 1/2001, 124 (2001).

• Detecting Transient Phase Synchronization between Local Field Potential and Spikes
  M. Denker, M. Timme, S. Grün.
  Proceedings of the 30th Göttingen Neurobiology Conference, Vol. 1, 692, poster #210A (2005).
  
  
• Heterogeneity Breaks Global Synchrony in Large Networks
  T. Tetzlaff, A. Morrison, M. Timme, and M. Diesmann.
  Proceedings of the 30th Göttingen Neurobiology Conference, Vol. 1,  697, poster #206B (2005).
  
  
• Precise Spike Patterns in Complex Neural Networks
  M. Denker, M. Timme, M. Diesmann, F. Wolf, and T. Geisel.
  Proceedings of the 29th Göttingen Neurobiology Conference, Vol. 1,  1045 (2003).
  
  
• Long chaotic transients shield synchronous periodic states in complex networks of pulse-coupled oscillators [N02-14].
  A. Zumdieck, M. Timme, T. Geisel, and F. Wolf.
  In Verhandl. DPG (VI) 37, 1/2002,  509 (2002).
  
  
• Mechanisms of synchronization in networks of spiking neurons with general rise function [N02-13].
  M. Denker, M. Timme, M. Diesmann, and T. Geisel.
  In Verhandl. DPG (VI) 37, 1/2002, 509 (2002).

• Complex networks of pulse-coupled oscillators: Exact stability analysis of synchronous states [N01-9].
  M. Timme, F. Wolf, and T. Geisel.
  In 265. WE-Heraeus Seminar "Synchronization in Physics and Neuroscience", 2001.

• Synchronization and desynchronization in neural networks with general connectivity [N01-8].
  M. Timme, T. Geisel, and F. Wolf.
  In Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 27, 821 (2001).

• Mechanisms of synchronization and desynchronization in neural networks with general connectivity [N01-10].
  M. Timme, T. Geisel, and F. Wolf.
  In N. Elsner and G. W. Kreutzberg, editors, Proceedings of the 28th Göttingen Neurobiology Conference, Vol. 1,  595 (2001).

• Unstable synchronization in networks of integrate-and-fire neurons [N00-21].
  M. Timme, T. Geisel, and F. Wolf.
  In Europ. J. of Neurosci. 12 (suppl. 11), 194 (2000).

• System of unstable attractors induces desynchronization and attractor selection in neural networks with delayed interactions [N00-15].
  M. Timme, T. Geisel, and F. Wolf.
  Soc.  Neurosci. Abstr. 26, 1969 (2000).