Research

My research aims to understand how neural circuits encode, recover, and distort memories, and to translate insights from circuit neuroscience into therapeutic strategies for neurological injury. I combine behavioral experiments, advanced imaging, and computational modeling to study these questions across multiple model systems.

Memory Circuits in Drosophila

During my PhD at the Friedrich Miescher Institute, I discovered that distinct dopamine circuits govern the recovery of true memories and the generation of false memories from forgotten information in Drosophila. Using two-photon calcium imaging and carefully designed behavioral paradigms, I mapped the single-neuron mechanisms by which forgotten memories can be reactivated – either faithfully or erroneously. This work reveals fundamental principles of how memory traces persist and transform in neural circuits, with implications for understanding memory distortion in larger brains.

Neurovascular Coupling and Spinal Cord Injury

As a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Calgary, I am investigating neurovascular coupling in the spinal cord after injury. Using two-photon imaging to simultaneously monitor blood flow and neural activity, I aim to identify therapeutic targets for promoting early recovery. This work bridges my expertise in circuit-level imaging with translational goals in neurorehabilitation.

Whole-Brain Imaging and Computational Methods

Throughout my career, I have developed and applied advanced imaging and computational tools for neuroscience. I contributed to the development of extended light field microscopy (XLFM) for whole-brain activity capture in freely behaving zebrafish – the first technique to record the entire prey capture process at neuronal resolution. I have also independently designed behavioral setups, control software (BLITZ, C++), and analysis pipelines (Python, MATLAB) for studying operant learning in zebrafish.