![\"\"](\"\/ombs\/files\/2019\/04\/IMG_9906-636x424.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The graininess of a film camera may seem old-fashioned in today\u2019s world. With the digital 4k resolution cameras we have now, why would someone continue to use this much more outdated version? Wouldn\u2019t they want to modernize and take much clearer photos? Dr. Jen-Wei — one of Boston University\u2019s most innovative neurophysiologists — will turn down the digital cameras, as he prefers the originality and freedom of the film camera. <\/span><\/p>\n From Taiwan, Dr. Lin\u2019s journey to BU is quite an amazing story. At National Taiwan University, Dr. Lin earned his Bachelor\u2019s degree in Zoology in 1978. After this, Lin served in the Taiwan military service for three years. Following his service, he made the journey to SUNY – Buffalo, where he would complete his Ph.D. in physiology.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAt the time,\u201d Lin said, \u201cNeuroscience was mainly neurophysiology and neuroanatomy. When I began [my studies] in neurophysiology, I burned quite a few things,\u201d Lin chuckles. This was fascinating for Lin as he describes the minute details of studying the traces of neurological processes and channels. Dr. Lin explains that neurophysiology allowed him to make the connections between these processes, which was much more interesting to him than other biological phenomena. <\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Lin first entered research in a lab studying a three synapse reflex in goldfish. Specifically, Lin focused on the synaptic transmissions among the multi-neurons along the spine. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis was very interesting because this was one of the cells in the central nervous system that had multiple synapses,\u201d Lin described. Very uniquely, Lin points out the inhibitory synapses that occur within these cells. <\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Lin then transitioned to New York University where he would complete his Ph.D. fellowship at the medical center. Here, Lin studied the giant synapse of both crabs and squids. Lin focused specifically on the depolarization of the neuron of the crab when its muscle would extend or contract for the majority of the year, but waited until summer when \u201csquid season\u201d would begin to work on his squid experiments.<\/span><\/p>\n It was after this when Dr. Lin then came to Boston University to begin as a professor. Currently, Dr. Lin teaches BI445: Cellular and Molecular Neurophysiology. This course focuses on the cellular and molecular basis of neural excitability and synaptic transmission. In the course, students work to extrapolate molecular understandings of ion channels to higher brain functions including learning, memory, and sleep. In the course, he incorporates these ideas into studying crayfish to understand the effects of pesticides and antiepileptic drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n For Dr. Lin, getting involved in research means being proactive. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTalk to different professors and other students about what they\u2019re doing. Figure out what you\u2019re interested in, and ask yourself, \u2018Is this really what I want to do?\u2019\u201d He advises. Lin says that having \u201cthick skin\u201d is advantageous, as it\u2019s important to \u201cnot get lost in the little things you do.\u201d However, Lin explains, that reaching out and making yourself accessible to others is the way to find what you\u2019re passionate about. To put it in his own words, \u201clisten by not being overwhelmed by noise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n All of this is easy to do at Boston University. Lin calls Boston \u201ca great city,\u201d attracting a large herd of amazing people. Lin suggests taking full advantage of the city, integrating yourself within the communities of not only BU but also the other universities and institutions that surround the city. To become more acquainted with the city, you may follow Dr. Lin\u2019s suggestion and go for runs throughout Boston and Cambridge. Exploring the city and becoming more familiar with what is around you opens you up to Boston\u2019s full potential.<\/span><\/p>\n In my conversations with Dr. Lin, his appreciation for the vastness of life was incredibly evident. It was fascinating to hear from this man who works with the most innovative neurophysiology techniques and the most cutting-edge microscopes, but also prefers the use of a grainy film camera in capturing photos of his life. But why?<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cLike an artist choosing color between oil or pastel in their paintings, the film camera produces this unique visual of grains,\u201d Lin explains. Lin describes the use of a film camera as \u201ca choice,\u201d that — like neurophysiology — gives him the freedom to put things together himself. <\/span><\/p>\n This form of art, both in his photos and his research, possesses an individuality that can be only Dr. Lin\u2019s: a truly fascinating man.<\/span><\/p>\n Writer: Trey Moore<\/p>\n Editor:\u00a0Stephanie Gonzalez<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The graininess of a film camera may seem old-fashioned in today\u2019s world. With the digital 4k resolution cameras we have now, why would someone continue to use this much more outdated version? Wouldn\u2019t they want to modernize and take much clearer photos? Dr. Jen-Wei — one of Boston University\u2019s most innovative neurophysiologists — will turn […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14401,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1366],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/ombs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7896"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/ombs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/ombs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/ombs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14401"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/ombs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7896"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/ombs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7896\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7898,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/ombs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7896\/revisions\/7898"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/ombs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7896"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/ombs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7896"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/ombs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7896"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}