Linlin Fan

Linlin Fan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and an Investigator at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory. She joined MIT in 2024 and is currently recruiting for her lab. Her research focuses on developing and applying advanced optical tools to study neural circuits and synaptic signaling in vivo, with particular emphasis on understanding the mechanisms of neural plasticity and disease-related mutations in neural receptors.

Her work integrates cutting-edge techniques such as genetically encoded voltage indicators, all-optical electrophysiology, and closed-loop experimental platforms to investigate neural dynamics across multiple scales. These methods have been applied to study sensory processing, synaptic inhibition, and the effects of neuromodulators like endocannabinoids and ketamine.

Notable contributions include the development of the CLOOSE platform for optical closed-loop experiments and advancements in far-red genetically encoded voltage indicators. Her research bridges neurophysiology, optogenetics, and computational neuroscience to uncover fundamental principles of brain function.