Anna Phan, University of Alberta

Research

Expansion Microscopy In Vivo Imaging Locomotor Activity Memory Single Cell Rna-Sequencing Sleep Social Isolation Synapses

Latest papers

Physical activity stimulates neurogenesis via sensory neuron activity in postembryonic zebrafish.
iScience · 2026 · senior author
Dopamine neuron specific RNA-sequencing reveals Neprilysin 1 acts downstream of the cohesin complex to suppress learning.
Communications biology · 2026 · senior author
Diverse memory paradigms in Drosophila reveal diverse neural mechanisms.
Learning & memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.) · 2024 · senior author

All 5 publications

Latest funding

How Social Isolation Alters the Brain and Behaviour
CIHR · 2025 · Nominated PI
$757,350
How Social Isolation Alters the Brain and Behaviour
CIHR · 2023 · Nominated PI
$100,000
Confocal Microscope Upgrade for Development, Physiology & Evo-Devo Studies
NSERC · 2022 · Co-investigator
$150,000

All 5 grants and awards

5 publications.

01

Physical activity stimulates neurogenesis via sensory neuron activity in postembryonic zebrafish.

Sherlock S, Appel L, Hall Z, Phan A

iScience2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.117207 PMID: 42643272

02

Dopamine neuron specific RNA-sequencing reveals Neprilysin 1 acts downstream of the cohesin complex to suppress learning.

Pimenov I, MacMullen CM, Ezeh C, Sai Dwijesha A, David J, Eswaran A, Davis RL, Phan A

Communications biology2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1038/s42003-026-09690-z PMID: 41699135

03

Diverse memory paradigms in Drosophila reveal diverse neural mechanisms.

Dwijesha AS, Eswaran A, Berry JA, Phan A

Learning & memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.)2024Senior author

DOI: 10.1101/lm.053810.123 PMID: 38862165

04

Higher-order unimodal olfactory sensory preconditioning in Drosophila.

Martinez-Cervantes J, Shah P, Phan A, Cervantes-Sandoval I

eLife2022

DOI: 10.7554/elife.79107 PMID: 36129180

05

Memory suppressor genes: Modulating acquisition, consolidation, and forgetting.

Noyes NC, Phan A, Davis RL

Neuron2021

DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.08.001 PMID: 34450024

How Social Isolation Alters the Brain and Behaviour

Nominated PICIHR2025Project Grant

Principal investigators: Phan, Anna

Keywords: Doapmine; Expansion Microscopy; In Vivo Imaging; Locomotor Activity; Memory; Single Cell Rna-Sequencing; Sleep; Social Behaviour; Social Isolation; Synapses

$757,350

How Social Isolation Alters the Brain and Behaviour

Nominated PICIHR2023Project Grant - PA: Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies Research

Principal investigators: Phan, Anna

Keywords: Dopamine; Expansion Microscopy; In Vivo Imaging; Locomotor Activity; Memory; Single Cell Rna-Sequencing; Sleep; Social Interaction; Social Isolation; Synapses

$100,000

Confocal Microscope Upgrade for Development, Physiology & Evo-Devo Studies

Co-investigatorNSERC2022Research Tools and Instruments

Principal investigators: Leys, Sally

$150,000

Learning and Memory Suppressors

Principal investigatorNSERC2020Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Phan, Anna

$185,000

Learning and Memory Suppressors

Principal investigatorNSERC2020Discovery Launch Supplement

Principal investigators: Phan, Anna

$12,500

From CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998, including their latest published competition results.

Write to this professor

A short, specific email works best. This draft uses one of their recent papers; replace the parts in brackets with your own details before sending.

Applying for

Paper to mentionMention their CIHR grant from 2025

Subject: Prospective PhD student: Expansion Microscopy Dear Professor Phan, My name is [your name], and I am a [your current degree or role] at [your institution]. I am applying for a PhD position starting in [term and year]. I read your paper "Physical activity stimulates neurogenesis via sensory neuron activity in postembryonic zebrafish." (2026), and it connects closely to my own work on [your research topic]. [One or two sentences on what you did and what you learned.] I also saw your CIHR-funded project "How Social Isolation Alters the Brain and Behaviour" (2025), and I would be glad to contribute to work in that direction. Are you accepting new PhD students for [term and year]? I have attached my CV and transcripts, and I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [your name]