With the 2025 Flux Congress just around the corner, the Flux Trainee Committee is excited to spotlight some of your fellow attendees through our trainee research profiles. If you’re a trainee—whether a student, post-bacc, or postdoc—and would like to be featured, we invite you to fill out our interest form!
At Flux, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of researchers who are shaping the future of developmental cognitive neuroscience. In our new Trainee Spotlight series, we will highlight the achievements, aspirations, and contributions of outstanding trainees within our community. These young scientists are not only pushing the boundaries of research but also embodying the spirit of collaboration and innovation that drives our field forward.
Today, we are excited to introduce Dr. Sylvia Lin. Let's dive into their journey, insights, and what motivates them to make a lasting impact in developmental cognitive neuroscience.
Dr. Sylvia Lin
Postdoctoral Researcher
What is the focus of your research?
My research focuses on understanding how the interplay between social experiences and biological processes influences brain development and contributes to mental health risk and resilience. During my PhD, I have focused on understanding the causal impact of parenting on adolescent brain development using a randomised controlled trial design. I've recently started my postdoc training working on the ENIGMA Puberty Working Group, and my focus is on characterising the role of pubertal timing and tempo in brain development.
What is your most interesting research finding or inquiry so far?
A parenting intervention targeting parents' responses to teens' emotions can lead to changes in brain function in early adolescents. Interestingly, we found decreased inferior frontal gyrus activity and increased insula-precuneus and insula-supplementary motor area functional connectivity after the intervention. These findings highlight the role of interoception in supporting adaptive emotion regulation.
What do you enjoy doing when not researching (hobbies, interests, etc)?
I love nature and always feel more connected to myself after going for a hike. I also enjoy going to concerts and comedy shows with friends.
Best piece of advice you have received as a trainee?
Schedule uninterrupted time for reading, thinking, and writing. It's easy to get sidetracked by miscellaneous tasks; block out dedicated writing time in your calendar.
Do you have any advice for early-stage trainees?
It is a privilege to have the time and support to learn, so try not to limit yourself by what you think you can or cannot do. Stay open to new opportunities. Grad school is a time to build research skills, but more importantly to explore what motivates you and what kind of work feels truly meaningful to you.
Most useful resource that you would recommend to other trainees in developmental cognitive neuroscience?
Laurel has put together some great resources on her lab website!
https://www.plasticityinneurodevelopmentlab.com/resourcesforresearchers
Please list any social media accounts / personal websites that you would like us to highlight
www.linkedin.com/in/sylvia-chu-lin
Will you be presenting at the Flux meeting this year in Dublin?
Yes! I will present a poster this year.