May Chan

Biography

May earned her B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of California, Riverside, where she investigated parental behavior in the biparental California mouse in the Saltzman Lab. Driven by a desire to deepen her understanding of systems neuroscience, she then joined the Tye Lab, focusing on the effects of psilocybin on valence representation in the medial prefrontal cortex. Her growing interest in imaging techniques and modeling neuronal activity led her to the Alexander Lab, where she aims to explore how the retrosplenial cortex integrates positive and negative cues in the processing of episodic memory. Outside of lab, she loves surfing (and is always looking for surf buddies), going to concerts and raves, cooking delicious meals, getting her steps in, and spending time with her partner and their three cats and dog.

Research

Using 2-photon calcium imaging in freely moving rodents, May aims to explore the neural circuits underlying predictive behaviors during pursuit with an emphasis on uncovering how the retrosplenial cortex integrates valence, value, or social influences to calculate optimal pursuit strategies.