Wen Shen

Dr. Wen Shen is a Professor of Biomedical Science at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University. She also serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Center for Complex Systems and Brain Science in the College of Science at Florida Atlantic University. Her research focuses on understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic connection, network modulation, and neuroplasticity in the brain and retina.

Education:

• 1999: Ph.D., Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo

Dr. Shen's research interests center on neural signal processing, ion channel and receptor physiology, and neural and vascular system rearrangement in physiology and pathology. Her laboratory investigates synaptic connection, network modulation, and neuroplasticity in the brain and retina, which share cell types, vasculatures, and immune responses. The eye-brain relationship provides opportunities for noninvasive diagnosis of retina and brain diseases including Alzheimer's, stroke, and age-related vision decline.

Analysis of Dr. Shen's recent publications reveals a strong focus on retinal neuroscience, with particular emphasis on ion channels, neurotransmitter systems (especially GABAergic and glycinergic transmission), and the role of taurine in retinal function. Her work spans from basic cellular mechanisms to potential therapeutic applications for retinal degenerative diseases. The research demonstrates a consistent trajectory exploring how neural circuits function in both healthy and diseased states.

Grants and Funding:

• National Institute of Health
• National Science Foundation
• Fight for Sight, Prevent Blindness America

Dr. Shen's laboratory employs multifaceted experimental approaches including genetic engineering, electrophysiological recording, and optical imaging techniques. Her research has important implications for understanding and treating neurodegenerative conditions affecting both the retina and the brain, leveraging the retina as an accessible window to brain pathology.