Penghao Qian

Projects

My study of neuroscience was a gradual deepening process. I started with the implementation of brain-computer interfaces to understand neural mechanisms. Then I started inter-individual analysis from physiological signals (e.g. EEG, sEMG, PPG). At the master's level, I started to study the structural and functional networks of the brain at the single cell level of neurons and developed novel morphology-based classification tools. After that I hope to carry out some research on more abstract models at the whole brain scale.

Game based on BCI and VR

National College Student Training Program 2017.9 - 2019.5

Supervisor: A.P. Xiang Li

Project Page

Here is a project that tries to combine BCI and VR (Both EEG-BCI and VR require a headset. It is natural to hope that the two can be combined).
For BCI interaction, we think that active BCI, which requires external stimuli to induce interaction, is not natural enough, and passive BCI has been lacking typical interaction scenes, which cannot be replaced by other interaction methods, such as the measurement of "personal state" and "emotion". Therefore, we tried to design a game that combines various BCI interaction ways with personal state as an operation method.

Study of EEG signal correlation between students

R.A. at Tsinghua University 2018.10 - 2020.6

Supervisor: A.P. Dan Zhang

Paper | Code

This study examined the relationship between correlation of EEG signals and academic performance of students in the classroom. My work in it focused on the analysis and processing of the data.
In this study, a portable headband with two electrodes was used to collect real data from the classroom for up to four months. Therefore the data was large and there were also a large number of artifacts. For this I provided a process that involves slicing the data into 30s epochs and evaluating the data quality. Then, the slow drifts were removed using NoiseTool under Matlab and the ocular artifacts were attenuated with the MSDL (multi-scale dictionary learning) toolbox. At the end, calculation of total interdependence were also provided.

Tools for neuron classification based on manifold patterns

Postgraduate in Peng's lab 2022.05 - now

Supervisor: Prof. Hanchuan Peng & A.P. Lijuan Liu.

Paper | Morphological feature space toolkit | Preprint | Neuron type classification toolkit

As morphological feature spaces are often too complicated to classify neurons, we introduce a method to detect the optimal subspace of features so that neurons can be well clustered. We have applied this method to one of the largest curated databases of morphological reconstructions that contains more than 9,400 mouse neurons of 19 cell types. Our method is able to detect the distinctive feature subspaces for each cell type. Our approach also outperforms prevailing cell typing approaches in terms of its ability to identify key morphological indicators for each neuron type and separate super-classes of these neuron types. Subclasses of neuronal types could supply information for brain connectivity and modeling, also promote other analysis including feature spaces.

Analysis of structural and functional brain networks at the single-cell level

Postgraduate in Peng's lab 2020.10 - now

Supervisor: Prof. Hanchuan Peng & Dr. Linus Manubens-Gil

In this project we divided into two parts. In the first part we studied the impart of neuronal morphology details on the network structure, especially the bouton distribution. In the second part, we studied the correlation between single-cell connectivity and function by simulations.

From single neuron to structure

Paper | Project Page

We examined the distribution of pre-synaptic contacts in axons of mouse neurons and constructed whole-brain single-cell neuronal networks using an extensive dataset of 1891 fully reconstructed neurons. We found that bouton locations were not homogeneous throughout the axon and also among brain regions. As our algorithm was able to generate whole-brain single-cell connectivity matrices from full morphology reconstruction datasets, we further found that non-homogeneous bouton locations have a significant impact on network wiring, including degree distribution, triad census and community structure. By perturbing neuronal morphology, we further explored the link between anatomical details and network topology. In our in silico exploration, we found that dendritic and axonal tree span would have the greatest impact on network wiring, followed by synaptic contact deletion. Our results suggest that neuroanatomical details must be carefully addressed in studies of whole brain networks at the single cell level.

From single neuron to function

Paper

We simulated the whole mouse brain's resting state using an extensive dataset of 1876 fully reconstructed neurons, revealing stronger and more varied connections than previous tracer injection-based brain connectivity measurements indicated. After optimizing global coupling and background noise parameters, we tested the simulation's alignment with experimental data, finding that simulations using single-cell connectivity have increased predictive power compared to tracer-based connectomes. Our findings underscore the importance of incorporating detailed single-cell information to accurately model brain dynamics, offering insights into the mouse brain's functional architecture.

Research

I focus on studying brain structure and function from a network perspective at different scales (inter-individual, single-cell level), while developing new tools for classifying neuronal morphological categories.

Journal Papers:

Main works

1. Non-homogenous axonal bouton distribution in whole-brain single cell neuronal networks
   Penghao Qian, Linus Manubens-Gil*, Shengdian Jiang, Hanchuan Peng*
   Cell Reports | 2024 | Paper | Code

2. Cell Typing and Sub-typing Based on Detecting Characteristic Subspaces of Morphological Features Derived from Neuron Images
   Sujun Zhao, Penghao Qian, Lijuan Liu*
   Preprint | 2023 | under review | Preprint | Code

3. Inter-brain Coupling Reflects Disciplinary Differences in Real-world Classroom Learning
   Jingjing Chen, Penghao Qian, Xinqiao Gao, Baosong Li, Yu Zhang*, Dan Zhang*
   npj Science of Learning | 2023 | Paper | Code

4. Manifold-Classification of Neuron Types from Microscopic Images
   Lijuan Liu*, Penghao Qian
   Bioinformatics | 2022 | Paper | Code

Participation

1. Full-Spectrum Neuronal Diversity and Stereotypy through Whole Brain Morphometry
   Yufeng Liu, Shengdian Jiang, Yingxin Li, ... , Penghao Qian, ... , Hanchuan Peng*
   Preprint | under review | Preprint | Project

Conference:

1. CCN2024: The 7th annual conference on Cognitive Computational Neuroscience
   Title: Single-cell morphological data provide refined simulations of resting-state | Paper
   Penghao Qian, Linus Manubens-Gil, Hanchuan Peng

2. BioImage Informatics Conference | Bioimaging and microscopy applications | Poster
   Poster Section | Institut Pasteur Online 2021
   Title: Single neuron morphological details imply a shift from a Small-World to a Scale-Free topology in the mouse brain network
   Penghao Qian*, Linus Manubens-Gil

3. 3rd Annual Conference on Engineering Psychology of C.P.S. | News
   Assist with Oral Presentation | East China Normal University 2019
   Our analysis of EEG data collected by portable devices were presented by A.P. Dan Zhang
   

Summur School:

1. The Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience (CCN) summer school
   Trainees | Cold Spring Arbor Asia 2024
   

2. BioBit Program Summer School for Computational Biology | Poster
   Best Poster and Best Student Award | Zhejiang lab 2023
   

3. IEEE 4th International Summer School for Neural Engineering | News
   Trainees (40 selected from 400+ applicants) | Tsinghua University 2018

Competition:

1. Modeling of deep brain electrical stimulation (DBS) therapy for Parkinson's disease | Project
   Won the National 2nd Prize | China Postgraduate Mathematical Contest in Modeling | 2021
   

   - Construct neuron firing basic model based on the H-H model and the structure of basal ganglion network.
   - Compare the firing of ganglion circuits in Parkinson's disease with normal conditions.
   - Operate DBS in two different target (STN and GPi) and select the optimal stimulation target.
   - Change the intensity, frequency and stimulation mode of DBS to get the optimal parameters combination.
   - Also find other optimal stimulation targets.
   

2. Design of Dynamic Scheduling Strategy of Smart Rail Guided Vehicle (RGV)
   Won the National 2nd Prize | Contemporary Undergraduate Mathematical Contest in Modeling | 2018
   

   - Simulated the RGV operation process with different algorithm (Sequences, Elevator Scheduling, Greedy).
   - Prune the feature search space to find the optimal solution.
   - Discuss all cases of initialization and the influence on the subsequent processes.
   - Estimate process arrangement and failure risk to prove the system's good robustness.
   

Honors

Honorable Title

2024, the Best Outstanding Young Students at the Southeast University | 10 students pre year among all undergraduate and graduate at the Southeast University

2024, the Honored Graduates at the Southeast University | 11 students among all graduates at the college (about 160+ students)

2023, the Honor Students at the Southeast University| Only 15 students per year at the college (about 500+ students)

Awards

2024, Brains for Brains Young Researcher Award | Awarded by The Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience (one student each two year)

2021, National Second Prize, The 18th China Post-Graduate Mathematical Modeling Contest | Project Code

2018, National Second Prize, Contemporary Undergraduate Mathematical Contest in Modeling (CUMCM)

2018, Third prize in The Physical Competition in parts of China

2017, Third prize in The Chinese Mathematics Competitions (Beijing Division)

2017, Third prize in Province Blue Bridge Cup Programming Competition

2017, Second prize in Preliminary Competition of FLTRP Cup English Debate

Scholarship

2023, National Scholarship | Highest scholarship in China | 11 students per year at the whole college (about 500+ students)

2022, The First Prize Scholarship of Graduate in the second year of Master

2021, The First Prize Scholarship of Graduate in the first year of Master

2019, Third Price of Scholarship for Academic Excellence

2018, Third Price of Scholarship for Academic Excellence

2017, Scholarship for Outstanding Students

2017, Second Price of Scholarship for Academic Excellence