RESEARCH SUMMARY
Nematostella vectensis is among the earliest branching animals possessing a nervous system. This unique phylogenetic position, together with features such as a large repertoire of chemical neurotransmission-related genes, impressive regenerative abilities, endodermal neurogenesis, and regional neural centralizations, makes Nematostella an informative model to study early evolution of the nervous system. By investigating the architecture and function of the nervous system in Nematostella, I seek to better understand the molecular mechanisms that were utilized to build the earliest nervous systems and support their functions following the emergence of neurons over 700 million years ago.

EDUCATION
BS (Ag) Applied Bioscience, Zhejiang University (2016)