People

The view of San Francisco, a great city that I have stayed for >6 years.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Yu-Wei Wu 吳玉威
Sep 2019 -
Assistant Research Fellow
Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
Adjunct Faculty
Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, NTU/Academia Sinica
基因體與系統生物學學位學程

Work Experiences
2018 - 2019 Research Scientist, Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, USA
2013 - 2018 Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, USA 
2007 - 2012, Research Associate, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Japan

Education
2012 Ph.D., Neurology & Neuroscience
Institute of Neurology (IoN), University College London (UCL), London, UK 
2007 M.Sc., Institute of Zoology,National Taiwan University
2003 B.Sc., Department of Zoology, National Taiwan University  

The view of San Francisco, a great city that I have stayed for >6 years.

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW

Han-Yuan Yeh 葉瀚元
Jan 2022 -

I am interested in how the brain receives the information from environments, how the brain conceives and calculates information, and how the brain reacts and interacts with environments. My current project is to understand the mechanism of deep-brain stimulation in circuit and sub-cellular levels. Beyond academia, I am a ramen gourmet. I am also a tuba player. 

Research Keywords
#Neurophysiology #in vivo two-photon imaging #Animal behavior

Work Experiences
Mar-Oct 2018 Visiting Researcher, Division of Homeostatic Development, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan

Education
2021 Ph.D., Department of Life Science, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
2013 M.Sc., Institute of Zoology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
2011 B.Sc., Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Contact
tubayeh@gmail.com / hanyuantubayeh@gate.sinica.edu.tw

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

YiKo Chen 陳怡軻
Apr 2021 -

As a physics trained researcher, I am curious about the principles and laws governing the brain functions, especially the control of behavior. Starting from this perspective, I try to understand the hidden population dynamics among the activities from thousands of neurons, studying how neurons cooperate as one system. I also study how various brain regions interact with each other in order to control fine movement.

Research Keywords
#Neural population dynamics #EDM analysis(Empirical dynamic modeling)

Work Experiences
2019 - 2020 Editor, Yuan-Liou Publishing Co., Ltd
2018 - 2019 Intern, Junyi Academy Foundation

Education
2018 M.Sc. Physics, Natioanl Tsing Hua University
2015 B.Sc. Physics, Natioanl Tsing Hua University

Contact
ykchen12@gate.sinica.edu.tw

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Jacob Cai 蔡兆柏
Sep 2022 –

Our quest is to reveal the cryptic signals of the intricate human brain and establish correlations between these signals and observable behaviors. To achieve this, we are driven to develop a tool that can offer unparalleled temporal and spatial resolution. My primary focus lies in pioneering innovations in the realm of massive microelectrode arrays, a pivotal element in the development of brain-machine interfaces.

Research Keywords
#Massive Microelectrode Arrays #MEAs #Brain Computer Interface #BCI #3D printing #Fabrication

Work Experiences
2021 - 2022 Research Assistant, Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica
2019 Research Assistant, School of Nursing, Taipei Medical University
2017 - 2018 Research Assistant, Graduate institute of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, Taipei Medical University

Education
2023 M.Sc. Graduate institute of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, Taipei Medical University
2020 B.Sc. Nursing, Taipei Medical University

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Bing-Shiuan Wu 吳秉軒
August 2022 -
Department of Life Science, NTU, Taiwan

My research centers on the Subthalamic Nucleus (STN), a crucial brain region in motor function and neurological disorders. Using deep-brain imaging with GRIN lenses, I aim to monitor single-cell calcium activity and unveil the diverse roles of subpopulations within the STN that govern motor control. Employing STN input-output tracing techniques, I map the intricate neural connections orchestrating motor function.

Research Keywords
#Subthalamic nucleus (STN) #GRIN lens #Two photon in vivo calcium imaging

Research Experiences
July 2020 - Feb 2021 College Student Research Project, Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan
July 2020 - Aug 2020 Intern, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan

Education
2022 B.Sc. department of Life science, NTU, Taiwan

Contact
r11b21004@ntu.edu.tw

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Tzu-Hsien Liu 劉子賢
Feb 2022 -
Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taiwan

I'm fascinated by how our brains change and adapt when we learn new motor skills, especially when signals from specific brain areas can rewire the M1 neural network. In my current project, I'm using a programmable tool to train mice continuously and watch how the connections in their brains change, along with their activity. Outside of my academic pursuits, I'm both a volleyball setter and a photographer.

Research Keywords
#Neuron circuit mapping #Motor learning #In vivo Two photon microscopes

Research Experiences
2018 Summer intern, Neuroscience Program of Academia Sinica, Taiwan

Education
2021 M.Sc. Graduate Institute and Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
2019 B.Sc. Department of Biomedical Science and Environment Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Contact
d10b21007@ntu.edu.tw

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Jhu Rou You 游筑媃
March 2025 -

Research Keywords
#Neurophysiology #Animal behavior

Education
2025 M.Sc., Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University

2022 B.Sc., Department of Human Development and Psychology, Tzu Chi University

Contact
jhurouyou@gmail.com

GRADUATE STUDENT

Poulomi Adhikari
Sep 2019 -
TIGP Molecular & Cell Biology Program

I'm deeply intrigued by unraveling how neuronal signals translate into observable behaviors, delving into the intricate interplay between the brain and our actions. Currently, my research focuses on the intricate domains of motor learning and dendritic spine dynamics. I use a programmable manipulandum to train mice to learn multiple tasks continually and want to decipher how the neural network re-organizes these tasks in the brain. Outside the lab, I enjoy experimenting with cooking, reading, immersing myself in anime, and savoring a well-brewed cup of coffee.

Research Keywords
#Dendritic spine dynamics #Mouse motor learning #Neural network remodeling

Research Experiences
July 2018 - April 2019 
Master project, Rajkumar Thummer Lab, IIT Guwahati

Education
2019 M.Tech., Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati 
2017 B.Tech., Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, VIT University, Vellore

Contact
poulomiadhikari@gmail.com

Poulomi.jpg
Srimayee.jpg

GRADUATE STUDENT

Srimayee Bhattacharjee
Sep 2019 -
TIGP Molecular & Cell Biology Program

Neurons have been the apple of neuroscientists’ eyes for decades but emerging evidence are revealing the crucial roles of the astrocytes or the less appreciated underdogs of the brain. Delving into this journey my mission is to add my drop of contribution to this vast sea of unknowns. Speaking of which I am doing the detailed characterization of astrocyte calcium activity in the different layers of the primary motor cortex and currently excited to find the mechanism underlying their heterogeneous calcium responses across these regions. Badminton and other fitness activities are the key components that drives me constantly towards a positive attitude.

Research Keywords
#Astrocytic calcium dynamics #ex vivo brain slice imaging

Research Experiences
TIGP-IIP (2018) - June-July
Masters project: University of Hyderabad (2017-2018)

Education
2018 M.Sc. Biotechnology- University of Hyderabad, India
2016 B.Sc. Microbiology- Calcutta University, India

Contact
srimayee.bhattacharjee@gmail.com

GRADUATE STUDENT

Yu-Shun Liu 劉宇舜
Jan 2023 -

In the past, I researched using RNN for neural decoding. Recently, I've been studying the clustering of animal behavior features using deep learning models. In the future, I want to learn more about Spiking neural network.

Research Keywords
#Software Engineer #Computer vision #Application of Deep Learning

Experiences
2020, ICPC Asia Taipei-Hsinchu Regional Programming Contest, Bronze
2019, ICPC China Nanchang National Invitational Programming Contest, Bronze

Education
2022 M.Sc., Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University
2020 B.Sc., Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University

Contact
rainsoon717@gmail.com

GRADUATE STUDENT

Chih-Ching (Hana) Chung
Sep 2024-

I’m interested in the neural dynamics underlying STN-DBS. Although STN-DBS is already a well-established therapy for patients with Parkinson’s disease, its underlying mechanisms still remain incompletely understood. By utilizing two-photon imaging through GRIN lens to monitor calcium dynamics in the STN of behaving mice, my project aims to understand how DBS reshapes STN activity across different behavioral states in the diseased brain.

Research Keywords
#Parkinson's disease #Subthalamic nucleus #Deep brain stimulation #Two-photon imaging

Research Experiences
2021-2024 Research Assistant, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan

Education
2021 B.Sc., Department of Biomedical science, Chang Gung University, Taiwan

Contact
h88516@gmail.com

MASTER’S STUDENT

Yu-Ting Hu 胡昱庭
Aug 2023 -
Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, NTU, Taiwan

I am intrigued by the dynamics of the motor cortex under pathological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, as well as its response to STN-DBS treatment and how this treatment restores motor function through the cortico-basal ganglia loop. Although STN-DBS has been used clinically for decades in Parkinson's disease patients, numerous questions are not fully understood regarding its direct impact on the motor cortex. Our study employs two-photon imaging to conduct in-vivo calcium imaging through a glass cranial window. Beyond my academic pursuits, I have a interest in playing badminton and hiking. These moments of relaxation help me generate more ideas for my project.

Research Keywords
#Motor cortex neuronal dynamics #CBG neuro-circuit loop #STN-DBS

Research Experiences
Feb 2021 - Intern, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan

Education
2022 B.Sc. department of Life science, NTU, Taiwan

Contact
r12b48004@ntu.edu.tw

MASTER’S STUDENT

Song-Wen Huang 黃嵩文
Sep 2020 -
Department of Life Science, NTU, Taiwan

Research Keywords
#Neuroelectrophysiology #Brain Machine Interface

Research Experiences
Jul 2022 - Intern, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan

Contact
kouppie0414@gmail.com

MASTER’S STUDENT

Wan-Rong Chung 鍾宛融
Sep 2023 -

I'm interested in investigating how the brain works to control body movements by recording neuron activity using brain-machine interface. The project I'm currently working on involves fabricating Microelectrode Array, aiming to achieve cross-region implantation in the mouse's brain.

Research Keywords
#Neuroelectrophysiology #Brain Machine Interface

Research Experiences
2023 Summer Intern, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan

Education
2020 - 2023 B.Sc. Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan

Contact
wanrongsinica@gate.sinica.edu.tw

MASTER’S STUDENT

Yi-Fang Chen 陳奕方
Sep 2020 -
Department of Life Science, NTU, Taiwan

I am curious about how brain areas cooperate with each and thus control our behavior. I am now using CEBRA as a tool to uncover the low-dimensional neural population dynamics from thousands of recording data. CEBRA is also good at processing behavioral and neural data simultaneously, which allows us to see correlation between specific behavior and brain activities.

Research Keywords
#Neural population dynamics #CEBRA

Research Experiences
Nov 2022 - Intern, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan

Contact
b09b01005@ntu.edu.tw

MASTER’S STUDENT

Chu-You Sun 孫楚祐
Aug 2023 -
Department of Biomedical Engineering, NTU, Taiwan

Research Keywords
#Temporal Interference #Electrophysiology

Research Experiences
Jul 2022 - Intern, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan

Contact
wchuyou0226@gmail.com

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

Yu-Hsuan Wu 吳昱萱
Sep 2023 -
Department of Life Science, NTNU, Taiwan

Research Keywords
#Dendritic spine dynamics #Mouse motor learning

Research Experiences
Oct. 2023 - Intern, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan

FORMER MEMBERs

Postdoctoral Research Fellows

2022 Yu-Tsao Hsing

Graduate Students

2023 Iryna Bilous
2024 Yen-Yuan Chen 陳妍媛

Research Assistants

2023 Hao-Tung Yang
2023 Ping-Yen Wu
2022 Shuo-Yen Chueh
2022 Morris CC Yang
2021 Rui-Ni Wu
2021 Rajer Hsieh

Summer Interns

2024 Risa Kitamura
2023 賴瑾蓉, 國立清華大學
2023 施欣妤, 國立陽明交通大學
2021 Emma Chen, UCSD
2021 葉姿瑀, UCB
2021 魏新昀, 國立陽明交通大學
2020 Tiffany Kuo, UCSD
2020 賴以靈, 臺北醫學大學