Ye Wu

Ye Wu is an Assistant Professor in Neurobiology and Biological Chemistry at UCLA's School of Medicine. Her laboratory investigates the neural mechanisms underlying empathy and prosocial behavior using interdisciplinary approaches including single-cell transcriptomics, in vivo calcium imaging, and machine learning.

Her research has three primary objectives: 1) Decoding neural computations in prosocial interactions, 2) Mapping neural circuitry controlling prosocial behaviors, and 3) Examining disruptions in psychiatric models. Recent work identifies cortical regulation of helping behaviors, amygdala-hypothalamus reward circuits, and neural control of affiliative touch.

Wu's research integrates molecular and systems neuroscience to bridge gaps between cellular mechanisms and complex social behaviors. Her work on autism spectrum disorder revealed widespread transcriptomic dysregulation across the cerebral cortex.

• Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Young Investigator Award (2024)
• UCLA Collaboratory Fellowship (2017)
• Stanford Graduate Fellowship (2007-2010)