Chih-Ying Su

Chih-Ying Su is a Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Neurobiology at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Her research focuses on understanding olfactory processing in insects, particularly Drosophila, investigating how olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) process odor information through mechanisms like ephaptic interactions and neuromodulation. She holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University and completed postdoctoral training at Yale University under Dr. John Carlson. Her work has been recognized with the Mette Strand Young Investigator Award. Key research themes include odor-driven behavior, hormonal regulation of pheromone detection, and the structural basis of neuronal function.

• Education:
  • Ph.D., Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  • Postdoctoral Research, Yale University (Mentor: Dr. John Carlson)
• Research Interests:
  • Olfactory signal processing in ORNs
  • Ephaptic interactions and lateral inhibition
  • Neuromodulation (e.g., juvenile hormone effects)
  • Genetic and structural analysis of olfactory circuits
• Notable Contributions:
  • Discovered asymmetric ephaptic inhibition in Drosophila ORNs
  • Linked juvenile hormone to pheromone sensitivity in courtship behavior
  • Developed methods for 3D electron microscopy of genetically labeled tissues
• Awards:
  • Mette Strand Young Investigator Award
• Lab Activities:
  • Focus on Drosophila olfaction and behavior
  • Collaborations on ultrastructural imaging and genetic tools