Mechanisms regulating neuronal development and physiology in vertebrates

The premise of my research is that we can learn from animals that overcome metabolic challenges in the brain to gain overarching insights into brain diseases. In my academic trajectory, I have been studying metabolic physiology across scales of organization, from whole animals all the way down to synapses. 

Postdoctoral research: The brain requires a lot of energy to function, and if these requirements are not met, circuit dysfunction and neural death follow. Much like mammals, brain activity in American bullfrogs quickly fails in hypoxia. However, we described that after emergence from overwintering, circuits transform to function ~30-fold longer without oxygen using only anaerobic glycolysis for fuel. Following these findings, I investigate neurophysiological processes that transform brain function to maintain performance during oxygen deprivation, avoiding dysfunction and damage. 
 

Molecular and cellular control of nerve development and disease

The goal of the Lin Brain Lab is to develop precision health approaches to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

Circuit stability, energetics, plasticity, and respiratory physiology

Evolution and neuroethology of acoustic communication systems in insects and amphibians

Neural network plasticity as a result of injury and disease

Genetic dissection of synaptic plasticity, neural circuitry, and behavior in fruit flies