Chen Ran

Chen Ran, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Scripps Research in San Diego. His laboratory focuses on understanding how the brain processes internal sensory signals from visceral organs, such as hunger, satiety, nausea, and visceral pain. Using advanced techniques like in vivo two-photon calcium imaging, optogenetics, and circuit tracing, his team maps the functional architecture of brainstem circuits responsible for interoceptive processing. Key contributions include the discovery of a 'visceral homunculus' in the brainstem and the development of novel calcium indicators for high-resolution neuronal activity tracking.

Education:

• PhD in Biology, Stanford University (2017)
• Bachelor of Science in Biology, Peking University (2011)

Research Interests:

Dr. Ran’s work integrates experimental and analytical approaches to decode how visceral stimuli are transduced into conscious sensations. Current projects investigate the coding logic of mechanical, chemical, and thermal signals from internal organs, with implications for developing therapies for obesity, diabetes, visceral pain, and eating disorders. The lab employs cutting-edge tools to visualize and manipulate neural circuits in awake behaving mice, linking circuit-level activity to physiological states.

Awards & Honors:

• NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2022)
• NIH K01 Career Development Award (2023)
• Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain Award (2022)
• Harvard Brain Science Initiative Award (2021)

Grants & Funding:

Supported by NIH, Simons Foundation, and private philanthropy, his research bridges basic science and translational medicine. Current grants focus on brainstem circuit mapping and developing therapeutic targets for interoceptive disorders.

Labs & Affiliations:

Dr. Ran leads an interdisciplinary team at Scripps Research’s Neuroscience Department, collaborating with engineers, geneticists, and clinicians to advance interoceptive neuroscience.