Dr. Chinfei Chen

Biography

Chinfei Chen is a Professor in Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School and holds a position in Neurology at the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center at Boston Children’s Hospital. He is also the Associate Director of the Harvard Program in Neuroscience. His research focuses on synapse and circuit plasticity, investigating how environmental experiences significantly impact the development of synapses and circuits in the brain. He aims to understand the physiological basis of brain plasticity to inform therapeutic approaches for neurodevelopmental disorders. His lab studies mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity in the mammalian central nervous system, particularly within the thalamus, a key region regulating consciousness, sleep, alertness, and sensory integration. Chen's work has provided insights into the refinement of retinogeniculate synapses and the influence of experience on synaptic wiring during critical periods of development. His interests extend to how specific visual features are integrated in the mature thalamus, affecting adult behaviors. His findings have important implications for understanding various neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and epilepsy.

Research Interests

Experience