Welcome to the Sun Lab - a systems and computational neuroscience laboratory
Our research focuses on uncovering the neural circuit mechanisms underlying learning and memory. By advancing our understanding of both adaptive and maladaptive learning and memory processes, we aim to promote the translation of research findings into treatments for related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and substance-induced cognitive impairment - with the ultimate goal of enhancing human health and well-being.
Recent News
Aug 2026
“Topographic CA1 input shapes subicular spatial coding” is published in Current Biology.
Dr. Pingping Zhao joined the lab as a Research Assistant Professor. Dr. Zhao received her Ph.D. from the Institute of Neuroscience (ION), Chinese Academy of Sciences, and completed her postdoctoral training at UCLA with Dr. Peyman Golshani. During her postdoctoral work, she conducted pioneering research on the neural circuit mechanisms underlying social behavior and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She was also a key member of the UCLA Miniscope team, contributing to the development and advancement of multiple generations of miniscopes for large-scale neural activity imaging in freely behaving animals. Welcome Pingping!
Justin Pierce joined the lab as a Research Assistant. Justin received his Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from UT Austin. His research interests focus on understanding how drugs influence the neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory. Welcome Justin!
Funding Sources
National Institute on Drug Abuse