Chen Song

Dr Chen Song is a Principal Investigator at Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre within the School of Psychology at Cardiff University. His research focuses on the relationship between brain structure, function, and consciousness, with particular emphasis on individual differences and the role of sleep in brain plasticity.

Dr Song completed his PhD and MSc in Neuroscience at University College London, following a BSc in Biomedical Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His academic journey includes postdoctoral positions at the Wisconsin Institute for Sleep and Consciousness and University College London.

His research interests span consciousness studies, brain structural complexity, sleep neuroscience, and visual perception. His work investigates how brain structure varies across individuals and influences conscious experiences, and how sleep enhances brain structure for improved functionality. Current projects explore optimal brain structures for consciousness and mechanisms of brain plasticity during wakefulness and sleep.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on consciousness mechanisms, sleep neuroimaging, and brain structural complexity. His work bridges theoretical neuroscience with empirical investigations using multimodal imaging techniques, particularly examining individual differences in brain structure-function relationships.

• Sir Henry Wellcome Fellowship (Wellcome Trust)
• Marie Curie COFUND Fellowship (European Commission)
• British Neuroscience Association Award
• Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Scholars Abroad

Dr Song actively supervises PhD students including Alun Metcalf, Jack Briggs, and Zhishan Liu, with funding available for new candidates. His research is supported by significant grants from Wellcome Trust, European Commission, and Welsh Government. He leads the Brain Complexity and Consciousness Lab, which employs advanced neuroimaging techniques to investigate the neural basis of consciousness and plasticity.