Yuchin Albert Pan

Yuchin Albert Pan, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at Virginia Tech, jointly appointed in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in the School of Medicine. He is also the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund Eminent Research Scholar in Developmental Neuroscience at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, where he leads an active research laboratory focused on neural development using zebrafish models.

Dr. Pan's research interests lie at the intersection of developmental neuroscience and neuropsychiatric disorders. His lab investigates how neural circuits form during development, particularly focusing on synaptic connectivity, intercellular signaling, and the genetic underpinnings of conditions such as epilepsy, anxiety, and depression. By leveraging the optical transparency and genetic tractability of zebrafish, his team studies conserved vertebrate brain mechanisms that inform human neurological health.

The recent publications from the Pan lab reflect a strong trend in using advanced imaging and genetic tools to map neural circuits and model human diseases. Key themes include retinal patterning, craniofacial development, and viral-based connectivity mapping, demonstrating a multidisciplinary approach that bridges molecular biology, neuroscience, and disease modeling.

His scientific achievements have been recognized through several prestigious awards:

• First Place, Marine Biological Laboratory Photomicrography Contest (2010)
• Image of Distinction, Nikon Small World Competition (2009)
• Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (Postdoctoral and Predoctoral)
• Finalist, Upstate Young Cell Signaler Award (2005)

Dr. Pan has previously held faculty and leadership roles at the Medical College of Georgia, where he was Assistant Professor and Co-Director of core facilities in microscopy and transgenic zebrafish. His training includes postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard University in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science. He has secured competitive research funding and continues to mentor graduate students and researchers in his lab. His work has significant implications for understanding and treating stress-related mental health disorders.

The Pan Lab at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute is a hub for innovative neuroscience research, utilizing zebrafish to decode fundamental principles of brain development and connectivity. The lab integrates molecular genetics, high-resolution imaging, and behavioral analysis to uncover mechanisms underlying neural circuit assembly and dysfunction.