Qian Lin

Campus

St. George (downtown)

CSB Appointment

Full

Research Areas

Bioinformatics / Computational Biology, Neurobiology

Education

Ph.D National University of Singapore (NUS) 2016
BSc University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) 2011

Graduate Programs

Cell and Systems Biology

Research Description

Our lab wants to understand how the brain produces flexible and adaptive behaviors – the neural mechanisms underlying cognition and behaviors at the systems level. To do so, we combine whole-brain neural imaging and computational tools on behaving animal models. To gain access to the whole brain at the single-cell level, we work with the zebrafish model and cutting-edge microscopies. Our approach is to develop data-driven computational models that can explain and predict behaviors from neural activity.

The cerebellum, with a highly conserved layered architecture, has recently emerged as a critical region for cognitive functions. Our lab focuses on the “cognitive cerebellum” by studying cerebellar microcircuits and interactions with the brain-wide neurodynamics in three decision-making contexts – learning, social cognition, and spatial navigation. We employ state-of-art optical neurotechnology, virtual realities, calcium imaging in awake zebrafish, computation tools from machine learning and dynamical systems, and an array of optogenetic tools.