Qian Lin, University of Toronto

Research

Read how they describe their research on their University of Toronto profile.

Cerebellum Computational Neuroscience Goal-Directed Behaviors Neural Encoding Neuronal Population Dynamics Operant Conditioning Two-Photon Calcium Imaging Virtual Reality

Latest papers

Overlapping expression and co-operative function of the zebrafish pcdh15 paralogs.
Communications biology · 2026
Altered locomotion and anxiety after exposure to SiO2 nanoparticles in larval zebrafish.
Scientific reports · 2025 · senior author

All 2 publications

Latest funding

Dissecting cerebellar mechanism for information coordination during goal-directed behaviors
CIHR · 2025 · Nominated PI
$734,400
Study the neural mechanisms of reward-based decision making by whole-brain single-neuron recordings in behaving zebrafish
NSERC · 2023 · Principal investigator
$12,500
Study the neural mechanisms of reward-based decision making by whole-brain single-neuron recordings in behaving zebrafish
NSERC · 2023 · Principal investigator
$66,000

All 3 grants and awards

2 publications.

01

Overlapping expression and co-operative function of the zebrafish pcdh15 paralogs.

Chrystal PW, Kuzmanova L, Liu J, Izvorean A, Majeed I, Tjoenardi JF, Lin Q, Tropepe V

Communications biology2026

DOI: 10.1038/s42003-026-10289-7 PMID: 42151386

02

Altered locomotion and anxiety after exposure to SiO2 nanoparticles in larval zebrafish.

Shen PY, Wu J, Pu G, Huang K, Lin Q

Scientific reports2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-02599-3 PMID: 40414979

Dissecting cerebellar mechanism for information coordination during goal-directed behaviors

Nominated PICIHR2025Project Grant

Principal investigators: Lin, Qian

Keywords: Cerebellum; Computational Neuroscience; Goal-Directed Behaviors; Neural Encoding; Neuronal Population Dynamics; Operant Conditioning; Two-Photon Calcium Imaging; Virtual Reality; Zebrafish

$734,400

Study the neural mechanisms of reward-based decision making by whole-brain single-neuron recordings in behaving zebrafish

Principal investigatorNSERC2023Discovery Launch Supplement

Principal investigators: Lin, Qian

$12,500

Study the neural mechanisms of reward-based decision making by whole-brain single-neuron recordings in behaving zebrafish

Principal investigatorNSERC2023Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Lin, Qian

Keywords: goal-directed behaviors; zebrafish; reward; computational neuroscience; decision making; motor planning; calcium imaging; cognitive behavior; two-photon microscopy; multi-sensory

$66,000

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

Frequent collaborators

Vincent Tropepe

Department of Cell & Systems Biology

1 shared papers, latest 2026

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: Cerebellum Dear Professor Lin, 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 "Overlapping expression and co-operative function of the zebrafish pcdh15 paralogs." (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 "Dissecting cerebellar mechanism for information coordination during goal-directed behaviors" (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]