Allen Chen
Education:
B.S., General Biology, University of California, San Diego (2014)
M.S., Biology, University of California, San Diego (2015)
Current Position:
6th Year MSTP
4th Year Graduate Student
Advisor:
Dr. Shaoyu Ge, PhD and Dr. Qiaojie Xiong, PhD
Graduate Program:
Program in Neuroscience
Research Interest:
I am interested in studying the neural circuit mechanisms and cognitive behaviors that underlie neuropsychiatric disease. My current research focuses on perceptual decision- making, which underlies our basic capabilities to respond to the environment with appropriate actions and is dysfunctional in multiple diseases such as Parkinson’s and schizophrenia. I am using in vivo calcium imaging, optogenetics, and other systems neuroscience techniques to dissect neural circuit function.
Publications:
Kéry R., Chen APF, Kirschen GW. (2020). Genetic targeting of astrocytes to combat neurodegenerative disease. Neural Regeneration Research. 15(2):199-211.
Chen APF, Kéry R., Ge S. (2018) Genetic targeting of astrocytes in the gliovascular unit of the adult brain. Journal of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Sciences.