Jin Labs

A Memorable Ending: Neuroscience, Qixi Festival and the Sea Sunset

jinlabs_admin — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 23:09:06 +0000

This last day of the conference left me truly impressed. At first, I thought this was just a national-level organisation, but it turned out to be much more than that. Many senior researchers attended, delivered inspiring talks, and shared career insights highly relevant to my own research. Their journeys and advice gave me a lot to reflect on for my own career development.

The morning started with Professor Charlie Stagg from the University of Oxford, who gave a fascinating talk on “Revolutionising precise neuromodulation for human motor control.” Her presentation showed how carefully targeted brain stimulation techniques can open up new ways to improve human motor control. It was not only scientific but also full of translational potential for rehabilitation and clinical applications.

Later, the conference also invited several industry partners, especially from the EEG neuroscience field. One highlight was Alison Buick from Cumulus Neuroscience, who presented their validation study “CNS-101: A validation study of multimodal digital biomarkers for longitudinal at-home use in dementia patients.” It was very interesting to see how a company integrates EEG with digital health tools, working to bring research closer to real-world healthcare applications. I found it particularly exciting because it connects directly to my interest in EEG-based systems.

At the end of the day, Professor Mark Cunningham from Trinity College Dublin gave the DIA Award lecture: “From neurons to networks: A journey through the dynamic brain.” His speech was very impressive — he shared the history of his research, the challenges, the progress, and the people he worked with along the way. It was not only about scientific achievements but also about building a career and community in neuroscience. I learned a lot from his talk, and I really hope to have the chance to work with him in the future. He is a great role model for me.

After the conference closed, I had to catch the train at 6 PM to return home. Coincidentally, today was also Qixi Festival (七夕节), known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day. It is a traditional festival that celebrates the legendary love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, who are allowed to meet only once a year across the Milky Way.

Before heading to the train station, I wanted to buy a small gift for my fiancée Luhan. Many doll shops in Belfast were already closed by 5 PM, but luckily, I found a nice shop near Victoria Square — Mooch Belfast (Arthur Street). Since I was born in the Year of the Dog and Luhan loves dogs very much, I picked up some dog-themed gifts for her.

On the way back, when the train passed Malahide, there was a short section of railway running almost on the sea — with water stretching out on both sides. At that moment, the sun was setting, casting golden light across the waves. It was such a breathtaking scene, and I felt both peaceful and excited, rushing to get home to see Luhan.

This trip to Belfast was a wonderful experience — full of inspiration, learning, and beautiful memories. A perfect ending to the conference, and a meaningful day both professionally and personally.

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Posters, People and Perspectives

jinlabs_admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 23:18:18 +0000

The second day of the Neuroscience Ireland Conference started with a classic British breakfast and a hot cup of coffee. Fried egg, beans, sausage, tomato, mushrooms, hash brown and toast – a perfect hearty way to fuel up for a full day of science and discussions.

After breakfast, I headed to Queen’s University Belfast Whitla Hall for registration and to prepare my poster presentation. My poster was displayed at number 22, titled “Time-Resolved Method for Spectral Analysis based on Linear Predictive Coding, with Application to EEG.” It was exciting to stand by my work, share ideas and answer questions from colleagues.

One of the highlights of the day was meeting new friendly researchers. Right next to me was Guy Sion from Israel, at poster number 23. His work was titled “Varanid Teeth Asymmetry and Correlation to Body Size.” It was interesting to see how his research connected biological structures with functional asymmetry, something quite different from neuroscience but very inspiring to hear about.

The conference sessions were equally stimulating. I attended a keynote lecture by Professor John Foxe from the University of Rochester, USA. His talk on “Oscillatory Brain Activity and the Deployment of Selective Attention” was both insightful and inspiring. One key lesson I took away was that delivering a great scientific presentation is not just about one paper or one piece of work – it is about building a coherent story across a series of studies, something that takes time and accumulation.

Another fascinating session was by Professor Daniel Smith from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. His topic, “A circadian neuroscience perspective on bipolar disorder,” reminded me of the Chinese traditional medical theory of Yin and Yang balance. While Chinese medicine approaches this from centuries of human experience and observation, modern neuroscience is now uncovering biological mechanisms that echo this balance – in this case, circadian rhythms and mental health. It was inspiring to see how ancient ideas and modern science sometimes align.

In the evening, I joined the Campus Walking Tour at 6:30 PM (see photo 7). It was a guided stroll through the historic grounds of Queen’s University Belfast, where we admired the stunning Victorian Lanyon Building, leafy quadrangles, and hidden gems across the campus. The guide shared fascinating stories about the university’s academic and cultural heritage. It was the perfect way to stretch our legs, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy one of Belfast’s most iconic landmarks.

Finally, we ended the day with the Conference Drinks Reception (6:30 – 7:30 PM). I had a wonderful time chatting with two new friends from Israel and also catching up with Arjun, a PhD student from TU Dublin.

Overall, it was a lovely and inspiring day – filled with science, new friendships and memorable experiences at Queen’s University Belfast.

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A Day of Trains, History and First Impressions in Belfast

jinlabs_admin — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 20:37:21 +0000

This morning, I took the train from Dublin to Belfast to attend the Neuroscience Ireland Conference. Although Ireland and Northern Ireland share the same island, Northern Ireland belongs to the UK, so as a foreigner I had to apply for a UK visa in advance. I’m very grateful to my school for sponsoring all the conference fees this time and it really helps my career development.

The day started with some unexpected stress: the Luas was not running for some reason, so I had to run from home to Connolly Station. I arrived just five minutes before the train departed, sweaty and overheated, but relieved to make it on time.

The first photo shows my arrival at Belfast Grand Central Station, a modern and busy hub with many people coming and going.

Since hotel check-in is usually at 3 PM and I arrived around 11 AM, my first stop was Belfast City Hall. This landmark is not only beautiful but also full of history. Inside, I learned about Belfast’s industrial achievements and its role in the political story of Ireland. The city has a strong connection with the debates around Home Rule, a recurring theme in Irish and British history.

Visiting here also reminded me of my trip in 2018 with my girlfriend. It’s hard to believe that was already seven years ago, we were both so young back then. This time, I spent more time exploring the exhibitions and was fascinated by the city’s proud industrial past.

Afterwards, I walked to Victoria Square, one of Belfast’s major shopping centers. At the top floor viewing dome, I had a panoramic view of the city. From there, I could spot landmarks like the Harland & Wolff cranes near the docks – symbols of Belfast’s shipbuilding heritage.

On the way out, I discovered the Flatiron Belfast, a striking triangular red-brick building. Its style immediately reminded me of Shanghai’s 武康大楼 (Normandie Apartments), with its narrow, wedge-shaped design that makes it stand out at a street corner.

I then headed to St George’s Market, one of Belfast’s oldest attractions. Although it wasn’t open today, I could still appreciate its historic architecture and imagine the lively atmosphere when traders and visitors fill the space.

Continuing my walk towards my hotel, I passed the BBC Northern Ireland Broadcasting House. The BBC is one of the most famous media organizations in the world, and Belfast’s branch has played an important role, especially during times of conflict. The photos show both its historical significance and ongoing renovation work.

Finally, I arrived at my hotel – Ibis Belfast Queens Quarter. From my window, I had a direct view of the Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, a beautiful and historic building with its distinctive stone towers.

After checking in, I took a short rest, as I hadn’t slept well the previous night. The hotel kindly provided me with a wine voucher, and in the evening, I enjoyed a Franciscan Well Chieftain IPA. I don’t usually drink much alcohol, so even one pint felt like a lot for me, but it was refreshing and relaxing.

That concludes my first day in Belfast. Tomorrow the official sessions of the Neuroscience Ireland Conference will begin and I’m looking forward to learning and engaging with researchers from across the country.

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Farewell to Our Dear Friend Yuan Chu — Friendship Forever

jinlabs_admin — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 11:28:23 +0000

One of our best friends, Yuan Chu, is now heading back to China. It’s a bittersweet moment, as we’re saying goodbye to someone who has been an important part of our lives for many years.

We first met Yuan Chu in 2019 in Dublin, where she became our housemate. During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, we built a deep and genuine friendship. We spent almost a year living together — cooking, eating, and facing those uncertain days side by side. Even after Luhan and I moved to a new place, our bond remained as strong as ever.

There are so many beautiful memories we’ve shared:

These are just a few of the countless moments we’ve shared. Today, Luhan and I accompanied her to the airport for the last time here. Partings are never easy, but true friendship knows no distance.

Yuan Chu will soon start her new chapter at Jining First People’s Hospital, where she will take on an important role in the research department. We are so proud of her and wish her all the success in her future career.

Friendship forever — 友谊天长地久.
Well done, Yuan. We will always be cheering for you!

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ARISE 2025 Showcase

jinlabs_admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 18:54:57 +0000

Today, I attended the Arise showcase, an event stemming from the TU Dublin Arise program. This accelerator is designed to empower TU Dublin’s emerging entrepreneurs by providing the foundational support, mentorship, and resources needed to transform innovative ideas into viable businesses and secure crucial funding.

One important piece of advice I remember today from a guest speaker was, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ Really amazing words! It made me think that when you have something you truly want to do, you should absolutely go for it and try your best. You are the best person to pursue your own goals, and waiting for others can definitely slow you down. However, when you’re working on something bigger, you need a supportive environment and should consider collaborating with and helping others. Both approaches are equally important.

Also, with enterprise funding events like today’s, it’s not easy to build connections. Really not easy. What I initially perceived as straightforward – simply engaging in conversation – has proven surprisingly difficult. I’ve found it hard to discern genuine interest from polite exchanges, particularly with cultural differences potentially at play. It’s a disheartening experience to have positive in-person interactions that don’t translate into follow-up email responses. This has left me feeling a bit self-conscious and questioning my approach to networking.

Despite these social hurdles, the event itself was beneficial, and I’m determined to learn from these experiences and continue pushing forward. I believe in my abilities!

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2025 EUT+ SAML Workshop

jinlabs_admin — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 19:30:49 +0000

Today, I had the honor of chairing a session on Human-Centred AI at the EUT+ SAML Workshop. This marked my first time organizing an academic event, and it’s a significant milestone for me.

EUT+, the European University of Technology, is an alliance of nine technological universities, including TU Dublin, focused on creating inclusive, human-centered technology. The workshop I chaired was part of the Statistical and Machine Learning (SAML) group’s third annual event, “Statistical and Machine Learning: Methods and Applications (SAML-25),” hosted at TU Dublin, Ireland, on June 5th and 6th, 2025. This event was designed to strengthen research collaborations and discussions within the EUt+ data science community.

I was genuinely happy when Tania invited me to chair this session. Even though it was a relatively small event, it was meaningful and felt like a step in my academic journey. Facilitating discussions on Human-Centred AI, a topic I’m deeply passionate about, was a fantastic experience. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity and excited to continue contributing to the field.

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From Ethnography to Generative AI

jinlabs_admin — Thu, 22 May 2025 21:50:18 +0000

A day of exploring research through Ethnography and AI-powered productivity tools.

The morning session, Ethnography and Health Services Research, was led by Dr. Miriam Galvin and Ms. Lesley Doyle. We discussed the history and practical application of ethnographic methods in health research and digital healthcare technologies. The session mapped different levels of health services research—sub-individual, individual, and population level—using real-world examples from the Academic Unit of Neurology at TCD. It highlighted the importance of ethics, governance, and data privacy in health systems research.

In the afternoon, we dove into Enhancing Research Productivity through Generative AI with Prof. Tomás Ward. This highly interactive session explored how researchers can use cutting-edge AI tools to streamline their workflows—from writing and analysis to app development and dissemination.

We were encouraged to set up free accounts on several leading platforms:

OpenAI (for ChatGPT),
Claude by Anthropic, and
Mistral for open-weight language models.

Additionally, we were advised to use a Google account to access Google Colab—a cloud-based notebook environment that enables you to write and execute Python code, including using Gemini, Google’s own large language model for code generation and data analysis.

We also explored how AI can assist in app development using platforms like Replit, where you can prototype applications quickly. One creative workflow example was using ChatGPT to generate prompts or backend logic, then applying it within Replit to build functional prototypes.

A key highlight was Prompt Engineering, where we learned detailed methods and classifications of how to craft effective prompts. This included:

Zero-shot prompting,
Role-based prompting,
Chain-of-thought prompting, and more.

We were introduced to learnprompting.org—a fantastic open-source resource that teaches prompt engineering from beginner to advanced levels, offering structured lessons and hands-on examples.

It was a fantastic and practical training session. I was especially happy to finally meet Prof. Tomás Ward in person—whom I first came to know over three years ago during my time as an occasional lecturer at Maynooth University. His guidance today not only improved my understanding of AI tools but also inspired new directions in my research and career planning.

Many thanks to all the speakers today!

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Governance of Healthcare Data

jinlabs_admin — Wed, 21 May 2025 20:51:28 +0000

A full day of learning about data governance, privacy, and ethical use of healthcare data.

Today’s workshop was held at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Mercer Building, focusing on the governance and safe use of healthcare data. It brought together researchers and experts to explore how to handle sensitive medical data responsibly and effectively.

We explored how healthcare data can be used responsibly in research while following legal and ethical standards.

Overview of major regulations: GDPR, EU AI Act, EU Data Governance Act, and the European Health Data Space (EHDS)
Introduction to FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) for managing health data
Key challenges: data standardization, cybersecurity, privacy, and legal concerns
Methods to ensure data quality: accuracy, completeness, consistency, timeliness, integrity, and relevance
Strategies for data protection: encryption, secure storage, anonymization, and controlled access
Responsible use of AI and medical chatbots, with a focus on trust, regulation, and patient safety
Ethical considerations in publishing and sharing sensitive or identifiable data

The session gave us a strong foundation in navigating health data governance and using data ethically in real-world research.

Big thanks to Clare Harney and Mike Kelliher for their insights. The session was packed with valuable content, practical guidance, and thoughtful discussions.

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Welcome to My Website!

jinlabs_admin — Mon, 12 May 2025 22:27:13 +0000

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