Eli Sennesh, a post-doctoral psychology fellow at Vanderbilt University’s Bastos Lab, faces scrutiny for indifferent remarks about Gazans after an October 7 incident.

Who is Eli Sennesh?

Eli Sennesh (x/@stoparabhate)

Eli Sennesh, a post-doctoral psychology fellow affiliated with the Bastos Lab at Vanderbilt University, is under fire for expressing apparent indifference towards the well-being of Gazans following an October 7 incident. Sennesh, who holds an MS from Technion Israel Institute of Technology and a BS from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has a background in computational cognitive science and theoretical neuroscience.

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Sennesh’s comments came to light when a statement he made surfaced online, stating, “I’m pretty indifferent to what happens to Gazans after October 7.” The insensitivity of the statement has triggered concerns about the ethical implications of such a stance, particularly considering the complex and sensitive situation in the region.

The post encourages individuals to contact Sennesh’s principal investigator, Andre Bastos, to raise awareness about the matter. The Bastos Lab is known for its work at the intersection of neuroscience and probabilistic machine learning.

Eli Sennesh’s research interests revolve around developing a computational understanding of how humans feel and move, bridging the gap between neuroscience and machine learning. However, the recent comments have raised questions about the researcher’s ethical considerations and humanitarian concerns.

Vanderbilt University has not issued an official statement regarding Sennesh’s remarks, and it remains to be seen how the university will address the situation. Critics argue that Sennesh’s comments undermine the principles of empathy and compassion that should be integral to research, particularly in fields related to cognitive science and psychology.

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The incident has sparked discussions about the responsibility of academics in addressing humanitarian issues and maintaining ethical standards in their professional conduct. As the situation unfolds, the university community and the broader public await further clarification from Vanderbilt University on its stance regarding Eli Sennesh’s controversial remarks.