Shan is interested in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of somatosensory circuit assembly. Before joining Vanderbilt, Shan completed her postdoctoral work at the Department of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School in the lab of David Ginty. She received her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of California San Francisco, under the mentorship of Yuh Nung Jan, studying Drosophila sensory neuron development and function. She completed her undergraduate degrees in Biological Sciences and Philosophy from Peking University.

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Shan has a long-term commitment to teaching, mentoring and community outreach. She is the recipient of the HHMI Hanna H. Gray fellowship, the C.J. Herrick Award in Neuroanatomy, UCSF Chancellor’s Award for Advancement of Women, and American Association of University Women fellowship.

Education and Training

2017-2024   HHMI Hanna Gray Fellow, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School

2012-2017   Ph.D. in Neuroscience. University of California, San Francisco

2010-2011   Ph.D. program in Genetics and Development. Columbia University (transferred to UCSF)

2006-2010   B.S., Life Sciences, Magna Cum Laude. B. Phil., Philosophy, Peking University

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Fellowships and Grants

2023-2024   Leonard and Isabelle Goldenson Fellowship, Harvard Medical School

2023            William Randolph Hearst Fund Award, Harvard Medical School

2019-2028   HHMI Hanna H. Gray Fellowship

2018-2019   NIH NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship: F32NS108507

2016-2017   Dissertation Fellowship, American Association of University Women

2013-2016   National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

2012-2013   NIH NRSA Institutional Research Training Grant (T32)

2008-2009   Chun-Tsung Fellowship, Peking University

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Selected Awards

2025   C.J. Herrick Award in Neuroanatomy, American Association for Anatomy

2023   MIT Biology Catalyst Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2022   Grass Trustees Recognition Award, The Grass Foundation

2022   Future of Science Fund Scholarship, Keystone Symposia

2021   Women in Science Travel Fund, WIST Fund

2020   NINDS Scholarship, Keystone Symposia on "Somatosensation: From Detection to Perception"

2019   Harvard Brain Science Initiative Young Scientist Travel Award

2016   Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Students Abroad

2016   Chancellor’s Diversity Award for the Advancement of Women, UCSF

2016   1st Place, UCSF Chalk Art Contest

2015   ASGD Conference Travel Award, UCSF

2014   Earle C. Anthony Travel Award, UCSF

2014   Graduate Student Research Award, UCSF
2013   Poster Award, UCSF Neuroscience Retreat

2010   Graduated magna cum laude, Peking University

2008, 2009  National Scholarship, Chinese Ministry of Education (most competitive scholarship in China)

2009   Chun-Tsung Scholar, Peking University

2007, 2008, 2009    Triple-A student, Peking University