New Faculty: Weinan Sun

Weinan Sun

Assistant Professor, Neurobiology and Behavior

Academic focus: 

Neuroscience and artificial intelligence, with an emphasis on studying cognitive map formation in animals and developing novel AI models for reasoning and planning.

Current research project: 

Investigating the process of cognitive map formation in the hippocampus of animal brains using large-scale two-photon calcium imaging, and applying these insights to develop advanced AI systems for reasoning and planning.

Previous positions:

• Research Scientist, Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 2020-2023
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 2017-2020
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, 2014-2017

Academic background:

• Ph.D., Biophysics and neuroscience, University of Montana, 2014
• B.S., Biotechnology, China Pharmaceutical University, China, 2008

Last book read: 

"A Brief History of Intelligence: Evolution, AI, and the Five Breakthroughs That Made Our Brains" by Max Bennett

In your own time/when not working: 

I enjoy spending quality time with my daughter and playing the piano.

Courses you're most looking forward to teaching: 

I'm excited to teach courses that bridge neuroscience and artificial intelligence, exploring how insights from biological systems can inform and improve AI design.

What most excites you about Cornell: 

I'm thrilled about the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary collaborations with top-notch experts across various fields. Cornell's commitment to fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue and research is particularly exciting to me.