Sign in

Lin Tian, PhD

@lintianphd.bsky.social
3.1K followers 168 following 82 posts

Scientific Director at MPFI | Developing optical & molecular tools for 🧠 research & 💊 discovery | Baseball mom, swim mom & dog mom

PostsRepliesMedia
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
To our amazing postdocs, happy #NationalPostdocAppreciationWeek! 💜 Being a postdoc is a challenging balance. You are expected to do ambitious and independent science while also racing against the clock to publish, write grants, establish your scientific identity, and position your next career step.
160
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I had a lovely time at the MMiN 2026 meeting in Amsterdam, where I spoke about our work developing genetically engineered sensors 🧠 The field needs to integrate multimodal detection to go beyond the capabilities of current technologies to identify treatment targets for neuropsychiatric diseases.
150
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Meet the team! Today’s spotlight: @akashpal.bsky.social ✨ Akash is a postdoctoral researcher building genetically encoded sensors that enable real-time observation of neuropeptide signaling in the living brain 🧠
154
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Looking forward to speaking at the 2026 Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience (MMiN) Meeting in September! I’ll be presenting recent work on developing & using genetically engineered sensors to monitor brain activity in living, behaving animals 🧠 Register by 9/7: monitoringmolecules.org/mmin-2026/
0113
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
It was a joy to attend this year's BRAIN Initiative Conference. Tian Lab member Alessio Andreoni presented our work developing & optimizing genetically encoded indicators and high-resolution microscopy tools to better understand brain circuit functioning 🧠 Thank you to the conference organizers!
051
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Meet the team! Today’s spotlight: Erin Scott ✨ Erin is a PhD student working to characterize a family of dopamine sensors for the dLight 3.0 series. She is also developing a sensor for alpha-synuclein, a toxic protein heavily implicated in Parkinson’s disease.
182
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Meet the team! Today’s spotlight: @yu-shun.bsky.social ✨ Yu-Shun is a PhD student developing novel red-shifted norepinephrine and GABA sensors, as well as a green GABA sensor, to study how neuromodulators orchestrate the neural circuit between neurons and glia.
130
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Meet the team! Today’s spotlight: Ji-You Min ✨ Ji-You is a PhD student investigating how dynamic serotonin release patterns shape fear, learning, and extinction in the brain. She leverages fiber photometry as well as projection-specific manipulations to explore circuit-level mechanisms 🧠
130
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Brain Exploration Day was a great chance for us to open up the doors at MPFI and share our science with the South Florida community! Thank you so much to everyone who came to explore brain research with us 🧠 🧪
061
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Like the conductor of an orchestra, the neurotransmitter GABA avoids disruptive ‘noise’ by balancing excitation with inhibition ✨ Tian Lab members Nikki Tjahjono, @yu-shun.bsky.social & I wrote about the latest tool to measure this balance in @elife.bsky.social: elifesciences.org/articles/111...
1151
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
I recently had the pleasure of visiting @upenn.edu & the University of Illinois Chicago to present our latest results developing glutamate sensors that can image multiple neurochemicals 🔬✨ This work helps us understand collective neurotransmitter release during synaptic transmission.
193
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
New work from @mattbanghart.bsky.social’s team identifies the brain circuitry responsible for placebo pain relief 🧠 These findings can lead to better pain management strategies in humans, including alternatives to addictive painkillers. Read more: today.ucsd.edu/story/neurob...
Screenshot of the top of the article, showing the article title, subtitle, and header image.
161
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Join us this summer for discussions about how neural circuits operate under normal conditions & disease states, with specialized workshops & hands-on experience ✨ Registration & abstract submissions open through May 1. All career stages welcome! Learn more: cncm.medschool.uci.edu/2026-cncm-co...
165
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Taking my chance to highlight my amazing lab members for Graduate Student Appreciation week ✨ The lab depends on your curiosity, persistence, and resilience to solve tough questions & drive our research forward. Your hard work is noticed. I'm grateful for all you do! #GradStudentAppreciationWeek
An image on a purple background with six circles, each showing one of a diverse range of faces of graduate students, each one looking into the camera. On the bottom right a logo shows a small purple and blue brain and the words "Tian Lab"
040
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Nikki Tjahjono’s PhD work is out as a @cellpress.bsky.social preview in @ssrn.bsky.social! With @isacofflab.bsky.social, we introduce iHaloGluSnFR, the first red-shifted chemigenetic glutamate sensors, optimized for simultaneous imaging with neuromodulators. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
193
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Looking back on 2025, I’m proud of all we accomplished as a team. But more than that, I'm proud of the growth, the laughter, and the support we gave one another along the way. Grateful for this team and a year of shared moments big and small. Happy holidays from the Tian Lab 💜✨
141
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
We had such a great time celebrating Tian Lab student Nikki Tjahjono’s successful PhD defense last week! Over the past six years, it has been a privilege to work with Nikki and watch her grow into an exceptional scientist, mentor, and community builder. Congratulations, Dr. Tjahjono! 🎓🎉
192
Reposted by Lin Tian, PhD
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
In @thetransmitter.bsky.social's 2025 State of Neuroscience Report, @lintianphd.bsky.social shares her perspective on 3 three topics: - Multidisciplinary research - The future of training - Impacts of funding cuts on neuroscience education Explore her insights: bit.ly/4pPi3s9
bit.ly
The state of neuroscience in 2025: An overview
The Transmitter presents a portrait of the field through four lenses: its focus, its output, its people and its funding.
023
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
@thetransmitter.bsky.social's portrait of the state of neuroscience presents a great opportunity to look back & reflect as we come toward the end of 2025. I'm quoted alongside leaders in the field as we reflect on the current challenges & hopes for the future: www.thetransmitter.org/state-of-neu...
thetransmitter.org
The State of Neuroscience 2025
The Transmitter presents a portrait of the field through four lenses: its focus, its output, its people and its funding.
0114
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Thanks to @nature.com for featuring our work in this piece on genetically-encoded sensors. The article does a great job highlighting their importance for both basic research and translational impact, such as in our lab's research on serotonin. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
How genetically encoded sensors have lit up neuroscience
Tools that track specific molecules in neurons have enabled researchers to probe previously unexplored aspects of neurobiology — although important caveats remain.
23615
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
The Tian Lab is headed to San Diego for @sfn.org #Sfn25! Proud to have Postbac Fellow, Landon Lee representing us this year––if you’re attending, be sure to stop by his poster to hear more about the science we've been developing this year! ☀️🧠
0102
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
How has the way we study neural coding and dynamics changed? At the recent @lakeconferences.bsky.social hosted by @alleninstitute.org I was able to share ideas and research with others working toward new experimental & computational methods for studying these dynamic systems over time.
1100
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
This week is the 16th Annual National Postdoc Appreciation Week, and we couldn't be prouder of our postdocs in the Tian Lab! ✨ Our postdocs drive forward research, plan and lead projects, mentor students, present and publish work, and much more. I am grateful for you every day! #NPAW2025
083
Reposted by Lin Tian, PhD
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
Thinking about attending Sunposium 2026? The early bird registration deadline is September 19th. Curious what makes this conference so special? Our video will give you a glimpse: buff.ly/2FuGjgO Join us March 9–11, 2026, in sunny South Florida. Find more information at buff.ly/zn5aS2b
buff.ly
Sunposium 2026
This is "Sunposium 2026" by Max Planck Florida on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
043
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
The brain has complex dynamics that give rise to a range of states & behaviors. 🤔 How do we study this complex system? In my lab’s work, we design and optimize biosensors to measure brain activity at the molecular level.
1238
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
I attended the first ever Neurobiology of Psychedelics GRC last month. I was impressed by how interdisciplinary the field is, from molecules to humans. We are just starting to understand the mechanisms of these drugs and how they can unlock future treatments. #GRCPsychedelics
0164
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
Congratulations to our three wonderful interns who joined us in the Tian Lab this summer, working on optimizing our PsychLight methodology to screen for potentially therapeutic compounds with similar mechanisms to psychedelics. www.mpfi.org/high-school-...
Photo of the summer interns and lab mentors in the Tian Lab.Photo of the summer interns at their poster session & end of program celebration.
192
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
The Tian Lab looks forward to welcoming high school students each year as a part of @mpfneuro.bsky.social's summer internship program! We’re thrilled to have Olivia & Nicole join us this summer and to be part of their journey as they explore what a future in neuroscience can look like.
062
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
I recently spoke about my lab's newest sensors at @embl.org‬'s European Light Microscopy Initiative meeting 🔦 🧠 Sharing progress with the community is key to moving science forward, which is why these sensors, and all our tools, are open source ➡️ www.lintianlab.org/research#tools
0174
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
What a joy to celebrate Nikki, Yihan & Kiran at @ucdavis.bsky.social commencement 🎓 As Chancellor May said, the world needs minds like yours more than ever & I’m so excited to see the impact you’ll make in the years ahead. Congratulations on this incredible milestone!
082
Reposted by Lin Tian, PhD
Optogenetics Gordon Research Conference @optogrc.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
📆 Mark your calendars: #OptoGRC2026 is headed back to Tuscany, May 10-15, 2026! We look forward to reuniting with our amazing community for a week of great science, thoughtful discussions & shared time with colleagues. More details coming soon👇🏽 tinyurl.com/esvrabsu
05117
Reposted by Lin Tian, PhD
Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society @gt-neuro.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Our next #InterfaceNeuroGT session highlighted cutting-edge techniques for measuring and manipulating sensorimotor and cognitive behavior — across species and across scales. Sponsored by McCamish Parkinson's Disease Innovation Program and chaired by @drannabellesinger.bsky.social.
142
Reposted by Lin Tian, PhD
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Know an exceptional early-career independent scientist? Nominate them for the Peter Gruss Young Investigator Award, honoring outstanding contributions to the scientific community through collaboration, creativity, and curiosity-driven research. Please share! mpfi.org/pgyia
012
Reposted by Lin Tian, PhD
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
It's #MentalHealthAwareness Month. At MPFI, Dr. Lin Tian's team is uncovering changes in brain signaling in conditions like depression by developing tools to visualize neurotransmitters in real-time. This work brings us closer to improved treatment of mental health challenges. buff.ly/LguhgQU
053
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
The new @maxplanck.de Postdoc Program platform is now open for its first ever round of applications! If you're looking for a new research opportunity, check out the full list of open positions👇🏽 postdocprogram.mpg.de/node/3
095
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Last week was #GradStudentAppreciationWeek – a chance to celebrate and thank the incredible Tian Lab students who move our science forward 🧑🏽‍🔬👩🏻‍🔬 Your creativity, focus & determination in the face of big questions inspire me every day, and I am so grateful to learn alongside you.
072
Reposted by Lin Tian, PhD
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
A warm welcome to all of the students, faculty and sponsors who have traveled from around the world to join us at the 2025 Advanced Neurotechniques Course! We couldn't imagine a more exciting way to kick off the course than with a fantastic keynote lecture from Nobel laureate Stefan Hell!
081
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
On Monday, @patrick-cramer.maxplanck.de, President of @maxplanck.de, shared a powerful message at @germanyinusa.bsky.social about the importance of partnership between the USA and Germany — built on our shared core values of excellence, integrity, openness, and freedom 🇺🇸🇩🇪
173
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
Proud to have had our Senior Research Scientist, Kwun Nok Mimi Man, represent the Tian Lab at #CSNeuroMet2025 in Shenzhen! She presented our new FLIM sensor—compatible with both fluorescence and lifetime imaging, enabling deeper, more versatile measurements of dopamine dynamics in vivo 💡 🧠
080
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
Since we began tracking in 2023, we've shipped over 170 biosensor samples to research teams across 4 continents! #OpenScience is a core value of the Tian Lab & we're proud to contribute by making our tools globally accessible 🌎🔬 🔗 Requests: lintianlab.org/research#tools
0227
Reposted by Lin Tian, PhD
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
If you are at @cellpress.bsky.social “Neurometabolism in health and disease”, don’t miss hearing about a new red-shifted dopamine sensor compatible with both fluorescence and lifetime measurements developed by Kwun Nok Mimi Man from @lintianphd.bsky.social lab! Poster P.38, 1:30 – 3:30 Tuesday.
031
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Thank you to @thetransmitter.bsky.social for highlighting some of the latest breakthroughs in photometry! As these systems continue to improve, the technology becomes more efficient, affordable & accessible, and unlocks the potential for new discoveries about the human brain 🧠
0164
Reposted by Lin Tian, PhD
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Did you catch our CEO and Scientific Director, Dr. David Fitzpatrick, on South Florida PBS's (@southfloridapbs.bsky.social ) "On the Town in the Palm Beaches" with Frank Licari? Check out the interview to learn more about MPFI's work! ➡️ to.pbs.org/4leYRm1 (Dr. Fitzpatrick's segment starts at 11:00)
to.pbs.org
On the Town in The Palm Beaches with Frank Licari | Working in the Palm Beaches | Season 8 | Episode 3
Visit the booming workforce of the Palm Beaches.
021
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Excited to join this incredible lineup on April 2 to discuss how the Brain Coast Alliance is working to advance brain health right here in South Florida 🧠🌴 Looking forward to sharing our progress & discussing @mpfneuro.bsky.social's role in driving innovation! Register: tinyurl.com/24jfa3wf
050
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
The Tian Lab had the honor of bringing Dr. Stefan Hell to thebenjaminschool.org last week as part of @mpfneuro.bsky.social's #AskMax program! We had a blast engaging with 80+ fourth-graders, answering their big questions & showing them that anyone can be a scientist 🔬✨ 🔗 bit.ly/3XS96T5
081
Reposted by Lin Tian, PhD
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Local 4th graders got a big STEM surprise as Nobel Prize-winning researcher @stefanhelllabs.bsky.social joined their class, along with MPFI Scientific Director @lintianphd.bsky.social Thank you to all the future scientists as well as the Benjamin School for hosting our Ask Max team! buff.ly/g58OfWD
031
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Investing in science is investing in the future. We’re driving discoveries that will transform our approach to brain health and these breakthroughs rely on continued support. #StandUpfForScience2025
092
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Last weekend, @mpfneuro.bsky.social hosted our annual Max Brain Challenge—a day for local students to visit & get a first-hand look at how exciting neuroscience can be 🧠✨ Special thanks to the J&S Pew Family Fund for making this event possible! See the full recap: bit.ly/4b2XH8l
052
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Grateful to have had the opportunity to kick off 2025 with talks at UCLA & @salkinstitute.bsky.social! Returning to California can be bittersweet, but it's always a treat to share our latest work with the amazing science community there—and take in the beautiful West Coast views ☀️🧠
060
Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
Registration for the 2025 @mpfneuro.bsky.social Neurotechniques Course closes this Wednesday! Co-directed by Ryohei Yasuda & @denisejcai.bsky.social and led by an amazing team of experts, this hands-on course is a great opportunity to learn cutting-edge methods in neuroscience 🔬🧠
23717