I am an Assistant Professor in Dept. of Mathematics and Division of Life Sceince at HKUST. My research interest is Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience, focusing on neuronal circuit dynamics.


Research

The experimental techniques in neuroscience have advanced dramatically both in the number of simultaneously recorded cells and the ability to do so in behaving animals in rich environments. New data constantly reveal unseen diversity and complexity of neurons’ response patterns and their dynamics over time. Turning such big data into knowledge about the brain requires two types of mathematical efforts:

  • New models and theories to understand the mechanisms and principles of how neural circuits allow the animal to process information and generate behaviors
  • Advanced data analysis methods to uncover structures and to infer biologically important features

My group applies theories of complex networks, dynamical system, and machine learning to questions spanning the spectrum between the two types, with a focus on the ongoing challenge to relate the connectivity patterns between neurons and the dynamics and function of the circuit. Topics and projects include:

  • Graph motifs and collective dynamics of neuronal networks
  • Functional organizations and circuits from whole-brain neuronal activity data in larval zebrafish
  • Population response structures and olfactory coding in Drosophila larvae.


Contact:

Email me
Office: 3443 (lift 17/18)