People

I grew up in a small town in central China, where I spent countless hours exploring fields, rivers, and the small creatures around me. Those early experiences deeply influenced me and inspired my interest in the diversity of nature and animal behavior. After earning my bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from Henan Agricultural University, I followed my interests in animal behavior and pursued a master’s degree in Behavioral Ecology at Beijing Normal University, where I began to wonder about a fundamental question: How does the brain produce behavior? That question ultimately led me into the field of behavioral neuroscience. I went on to receive my PhD in behavioral neuroendocrinology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, under the mentorship of Dr. Catherine Marler. Following graduation, I completed my first postdoctoral training in translational neuroscience with Dr. Amanda Kentner at MCPHS University. To further explore the neural circuit mechanisms underlying animal behavior, I pursued a second postdoctoral position in systems and behavioral neuroscience with with Dr. Katherine Tschida at Cornell University. In my lab, I aim to leverage the expertise I have gained to investigate neuroscience questions that excite me. Equally important, I hope to create a supportive training environment for students interested in behavioral neuroscience research.