From Trinity to Fudan: A Neuroscientist’s Transcontinental Journey
Urban and Global Studies have formed the dual wings of CUGS since its founding at Trinity. As Urban Studies has taken off as a major for the past decade, we have forged varied global connections and curricular threads through CUGS that have benefited Trinity students and faculty. A score of Trinity students including those in the sciences have pursued Daivs Peace projects around the world. Over a dozen international visiting scholars including several from Fudan University in Shanghai have spent time at CUGS to carry out their research. Below we feature the global journey of a Trinity graduate in neuroscience currently working at Fudan University and living in Shanghai, in his own words.
Xiangming Chen
Director, Urban Studies
From Trinity to Fudan: A Neuroscientist’s Transcontinental Journey
Embarking from the tranquil setting “neath the elms of our old Trinity,” my academic journey has spanned continents over the past fourteen years. Trinity served as the foundation for my venture into neuroscience, igniting a flame that guided me across the globe, first to Imperial College London where I happened to room with two Trinity students who had attended Trinity’s urban China summer program in Shanghai, and then to Cambridge leading to Shanghai. It was amidst the corridors of the University of Cambridge, during my doctoral pursuit, that the intricacies of human cognition captured my imagination. The enigmatic “default mode brain network” emerged as a central focus, enthralling me with its intricate dance between our inner thoughts and the demands of our external worlds.
Now, as a principal investigator at Fudan University in Shanghai, my days are filled with the hustle and bustle of a cutting-edge laboratory. Yet amidst the constant hum of fMRI scanners, our work transcends mere data collection. We are conductors of collaboration, blending insights from psychology, data science, engineering, and clinical practice to unlock the mysteries of human cognition, even with a potential research extension to how the urban environment affects the human brain.
Life in Shanghai mirrors the vibrant nature of my scientific endeavors. Amidst the pulsating rhythm of the city, I decode not only neural pathways but also the intricate tapestry of cultural nuances. In this bustling metropolis, where tradition merges seamlessly with innovation, each skyscraper stands as a testament to the fusion of human achievement and scientific exploration. As I navigate the labyrinth of neural circuits, I’m reminded of my journey—from my home country of Turkey to the lecture halls of Trinity and then to the bustling corridors of Fudan. It’s a narrative that transcends academia, bridging the realms of neurons and city lights. Here, in the heart of Shanghai, ancient wisdom harmonizes with modern exploration, illuminating the path forward.
Deniz Vatansever ‘10
