All Lab News
Chen Lab Hosted Dr. Alex Kolodkin from Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Alex Kolodkin from Johns Hopkins University held a fantastic talk and conversation for our departmental seminar!
David presented at the Janelia Conference
PI Dr. David Chen gave a talk at the Janelia Conference!
Welcome Yen!
Welcome, Yen, to the Chen Lab as a part-time Adjunct Research Assistant Professor! Yen will bring expertise in neurogenetics and developmental biology to our team. Welcome, Yen!
Welcome Ashley!
The Chen Lab welcomes Ashley Medina as our newest lab technician! Ashley joins us with hands-on Drosophila experience and plans to pursue a neuroscience PhD in the future. We're excited to have her on the team.
New Collaborative Paper in PLoS Biology: Decoding Olfactory Circuit Wiring in Drosophila
Our collaborative work on cell-surface recognition molecules in Drosophila olfactory circuits is out in PLoS Biology. Beat- and Side-family proteins are expressed combinatorially in partner neurons — a key piece of the circuit assembly puzzle.
New Collaborative Paper in PNAS: Regulatory Logic of Neuronal Differentiation in the Drosophila Visual System
Our collaborative study dissecting the transcriptional regulatory logic underlying neuronal differentiation in the Drosophila visual system is out in PNAS.
A New Eye for the Lab: SP8 Confocal Is Here
The Chen Lab welcomes our Leica SP8 White Light Laser confocal microscope to the lab! A major addition to our imaging capabilities.
Chen Lab Received NIH R00 Grant
The Chen lab has received the Notice of Award for David’s NIH R00 grant from NEI!
Former Mentee, Maisha Jacy, Accepted to Albany Medical College
Previously mentored by David during his time at NYU, Maisha has committed to Albany Medical College and will be starting her MD program this summer.
Ariel Kuan to Attend the Bioimage Analysis Bootcamp
At this week-long training, Ariel will develop hands-on expertise in open-source image analysis tools and decision-making strategies for light microscopy data.
Chen Lab Awarded Temple University Blue Sky Initiative Grant
This one-year, $100,000 award supports bold and transformative research, and will fund the development of our RNA-based split-GAL4 tool in Drosophila.
Undergrad Student, Katelyn Porrecca, Graduates Temple University
Katelyn has accepted a position as a Patient Coordinator at Jefferson Health and will pursue a Master of Healthcare Administration at Thomas Jefferson University.
Chen Lab Hosted Dr. Yun Ding from the University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Yun Ding from the University of Pennsylvania held a dynamic talk and conversation for our departmental seminar!
Anastacia Orekhova Awarded the Temple Creative Arts, Research, and Scholarship (CARAS) Project Grant!
The competitive CARAS grant will allow Anastacia to research neuronal development of the visual system this summer. Congrats!
Riya Varghese Accepted into the 2026 CST Summer Undergraduate Research Experience!
This research support will allow Riya to explore the generation of split GAL-4 lines in the Chen Lab. Looking forward to it!
Katelyn Porrecca and Anastacia Orekhova Presented at the 2026 Spring Undergraduate Research and Leadership Symposium and the Biology Research Showcase!
Chen Lab was well represented at the 2026 Spring Undergraduate Research and Leadership Symposium and the Biology Research Showcase by Katelyn Porrecca and Anastacia Orekhova!
Nathalie Shoji Accepted into the MD-PhD Program at Mount Sinai!
PI Dr. David Chen’s former NYU mentee, Nathalie Shoji, has been accepted into the MD-PhD program at Mount Sinai! Congrats Nathalie!
Chen Lab Led the Neuroscience Section at the Biology Open Lab Event!
Lab tours and scientist introductions were had in the Chen Lab as PI Dr. David Chen led the neuroscience section at the Biology Open Lab event!
Chen Lab Hosted Dr. Tim Mosca from Thomas Jefferson University!
Dr. Tim Mosca presented a lively talk and conversation for a departmental seminar! Thank you Dr. Mosca!