I joined Kuo-Fen’s lab as a postdoctoral researcher in 2015 and have since become a Research Scientist in the lab. I got my PhD degree from National YangMing University in Taiwan. During the graduate program, I was trained as an electrophysiologist and studied microcircuitries in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Then I shifted to cholinergic neurons and their role in sensorimotor gating functions when I came to KuoFen’s lab in 2015. I apply slice electrophysiology, in vivo optogenetics, fiber photometry, and in vivo single unit recordings to study the underlying mechanisms of sensorimotor gating functions in the mouse brain and provide new therapeutic strategies to cure relevant cognitive diseases like Schizophrenia.

My name is Congshu Liao, and I am a Senior Research Associate in the Kuo-Fen Lee Lab. I specialize in neurophysiology and Parkinson’s disease research, with a focus on uncovering the mechanisms of resting tremor. My work integrates electrophysiology, optogenetics, viral tools, and behavioral approaches to better understand the neural circuits underlying movement disorders. Previously, I studied adult neurogenesis as a postdoctoral fellow at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. I earned my PhD in Neurophysiology in China, where I investigated dopaminergic modulation in songbird vocal circuits, linking cellular mechanisms to complex behaviors.

I am a Research Assistant IV and manager at the PBL-Lee Lab with over 25 years of experience (1996 – present). I received my Bachelor of Science degree at the University of California, San Diego in 1996. I currently work with mouse models of Alzheimer’s Disease, helping identify the circuit-specific cell types vulnerable to loss of cell bodies, axonal connections, and changes in transcription gene signatures during the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease and healthy aging. I specialize in fresh brain slicing and dissection, IF-staining optimization, and confocal imaging. I previously worked with mouse NMJ development and blastocyst and pronuclear injections to produce knockout and transgenic mice.

I’m Evan Booker and I’ve been at the Salk since 2007. I moved down to San Diego from Visalia, California in 2005 when I started at UCSD. I started as a student intern in the Vale Lab in 2007 and joined the Lee lab after Wylie’s passing. In the Vale Lab, I learned a lot of molecular and cellular biology techniques that I now apply in the research I do in the Lee Lab, I love learning new techniques and technologies—I’ve recently added 3D printing to the skillset. In my own time, I like to play video games, ski, snorkel, and mix new fun cocktails.

My name is Lucas Meinke, and I’ve been at Salk in Kuo-Fen’s lab since March of 2021. I’m a UCSB graduate with a degree in ecology and evolution, with a focus in marine biology and a previous professional background in veterinary medicine and animal care. I am a project coordinator for live studies and a colony manager for our animals. My goal is to help unlock the secrets of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases with the help of my lab members and animals. When not at work, I enjoy playing video games on my computer, visiting markets with my wife, and spending time with our pets.

I’m Ling Zhang, Bioinformatics Analyst III, and I build reproducible pipelines for PacBio long-read (MAS-Seq) and spatial multi-omics using statistics and ML to link cellular phenotypes to gene/isoform regulation in neurodegeneration. I hold a PhD in Statistics and two MS degrees, one in Biochemistry and another in Chemical Engineering. Previously I supported clinical eQTL/GWAS, single-cell, and imaging workflows. Outside the lab I play soccer and enjoy photography.

I’m Xinji and I work on bioinformatics.

I’m a PhD Candidate in UCSD’s Biological Sciences Program. I completed my undergraduate in genetics at Cornell University, and am currently interested in stem cell biology, early embryo development, and developmental disorders. I’m primarily focused on developing embryonic stem-cell derived organoids that closely mimic the conditions found in early primate embryos, which can be used to study how human embryos grow and implant, and where this process can go wrong. When I’m not in the lab, I spend a lot of my time outdoors, hiking, camping, or occasionally SCUBA diving.

My name is Eleanor, and I am a PhD student in UCSD’s Neurosciences Graduate Program. I recently moved to San Diego from upstate New York, where I completed my undergraduate studies in neuroscience and studio art at Skidmore College. Some of my research interests include sex differences and neuroendocrinology, which I’m applying to the lab’s research focus on Alzheimer’s Disease. Outside of the lab, I love making new things in the kitchen and working on arts/crafts, as well as fostering cats with the humane society. I also like playing volleyball, camping, and exploring California.

My name is Hanhee, and I’m a PhD student in the Neurosciences Graduate Program. I first discovered my passion for molecular biology at Incheon National University in Korea, where I earned both my BS and MS while studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms of cancer. During this time, I developed a strong foundation in wet-lab techniques, which continue to shape the way I approach research. I began my PhD journey in 2022 with the goal of becoming an independent scientist. Having recently joined Dr. Lee’s lab, I am now expanding my expertise beyond the bench by developing skills in genetics and bioinformatics. My research interests focus on how gene regulation and RNA processing contribute to aging and neurodegenerative disease, and I am excited to explore new questions at this intersection. Outside the lab, I love spending time with my cats, cooking, and camping in the beautiful nature that California has to offer.

My name is Malia, and I am a third-year undergraduate student at UC San Diego majoring in Human Biology. I am on the pre-PA track and aspire to pursue a future career in healthcare. Outside of the lab, I enjoy traveling, spending time at the beach, skiing, and working on personal artistic projects.

I’m a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology undergraduate student at UC Santa Cruz, hoping to pursue an MD-PhD in Neuroscience. I have previously worked at UC San Diego in the Debelouchina Lab, studying the formation of NFTs and tau LLPS. Outside work, I’m the lead vocalist for a rock band, and I enjoy reading, video games, and DnD.