Siqi Liu

My research interests: Neural Circuit | Brain Computer Interface | AI for science | Biotechnology | Computational Neuroscience

Hi! I am a U2 neuroscience undergraduate student at McGill University.

I quite enjoy exploring stuff on my own, whether it’s for academics or purely out of interest. I picked my bachelor's path to be neuroscience because I love its interdisciplinary nature: research (at the Poulin lab) has been a part of my undergraduate journey consistently, and I believe that viewing concepts from multiple different perspectives/subjects could give one unique inspiration. I often picture the human brain as a miniature of the real universe out there, with intertwined neural networks as galaxies; we are actively exploring both the inner and outer sides of the world to truly know who we are.

Beside studying and researching, I enjoy playing badminton and tennis, drawing (digitally and physically) as well as travelling.

education

skills

Wet Lab

Intersectional Genetics | Molecular Cloning & Plasmid Design | Confocal Imaging | Behavioural Assay | Genotyping | Mouse Handling & Injection | Immunohistochemistry (IHC) | Cell Culture | FACS

Technical Skills

Programming: Python (Matplotlib, NumPy, BrainSpace, scikit-learn, Pytorch)
Software & Tools: GitHub | Prism Graphpad | Snapgene | Microsoft Office

certificates

projects

🧠

Calbindin Stratifies Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Governing Distinct Aspects of Locomotion
Paper | Conference Abstract (P2-67) | Conference Poster (17.3)

Brain-wide mapping of dopaminergic neuron morphology at single-cell resolution via sparse labeling
Poster

Topics: Intersectional Genetics

Validated SINGLET (Single-cell INtersectional Genetic Labelling Enhanced by tTA), a novel viral labeling strategy to map distinct dopaminergic (DA) neuron subtypes at single-cell resolution. The project involved sparse labeling in transgenic mice, whole-brain tissue clearing (EZclear), and light-sheet microscopy. An AI model was trained to automatically identify and trace fluorescently labeled neurons, successfully mapping their projections from the midbrain to the striatum.

Mapping Brain Activation and Representation with fMRI
Code

Topics: fMRI | Generalized Linear Model (GLM) | Hemodynamic Response Modeling | Representational Similarity Analysis

In this project, I analyzed the Human Connectome Project motor task dataset. I first examined the condition specific activation patterns across cortical parcels, and performed statistical tests to identify significant task related modulation, and then constructed GLM to model task related BOLD activity. Next, I implemented a double-gamma Hemodynamic Response Function (HRF) to account for the delayed vascular response measured by fMRI. Finally, I used Representational Similarity Analysis to quantify similarities and differences between neural representations associated with different motor conditions. Together, these analyses illustrated core concepts in task based fMRI, including activation mapping, statistical inference, hemodynamic response modeling, and representational analysis.

⚙️

Automatic Review Analyzer
Code

Topics: Machine Learning | Supervised Classification | Linear Classifiers

A machine learning project that classified Amazon food reviews as positive or negative using linear models. I implemented and compared three types of linear classifiers: the perceptron algorithm, the average perceptron algorithm, and the Pegasos (Primal Estimated sub-GrAdient SOlver for SVM) algorithm. I also experimented with feature engineering to evaluate the performance of the models with different representation of words.

🧬

Single-cell RNA Sequencing Analysis: Clustering and Feature Selection
Code

Topics: Machine Learning | Dimensional Reduction | Clustering | Supervised Classification | Logistic Regression

This project analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing data to identify distinct cell populations and informative genes. I first used dimensional reduction and hierarchical clustering to divide cells into major classes and their subtypes. Then, I treated the cluster assignments as labels for regularized multiclass logistic regression, using the regression coefficients to select the 100 most informative genes. Finally, I evaluated these genes on an independent dataset and compare their classification performance with random and highest-variance gene selections.

💻

Digit Recognition
Code

Topics: Machine Learning | Convolutional Neural Network | Computer Vision

This project implemented digit recognition models in PyTorch for both single-digit and overlapping-digit MNIST images. Different models were implemented and their performance/accuracy on the dataset were evaluated.

experience

Research Intern at Poulin Lab
Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital | Lab Website | May 2025 – Present

Topics: Dopamine neural circuit, neurodegenerative disorder, neurodevelopmental disorder

We are researching on dopaminergic neural circuits and how they are impaired in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. The two projects I am involved in are about CALB1 Dopaminergic neurons' roles in locomotion and reconstructing neuronal morphology in 3D.

What's more, I have received training and developed strong proficiency in wet lab techniques such as genotyping, molecular cloning pipeline, flow cytometry, confocal imaging, and behavioural analysis. I am also responsible for training AI to recognize sparsely labeled neurons in lightsheet images.

Volunteer
Donald Berman Maimonides Geriatric Centre | 2025

Facilitated resident transport and participation in synagogue assemblies, providing compassionate support to elderly residents.

Mushroom Care Coordinator
MycoNurseries | 2024 – 2026

We grow blue oyster mushroom sustainably, in part from used coffee grounds. I also assist research coordinator and research lead in identifying new strategies to encourage mushroom growth, and conduct mushroom care shift weekly.

interests

Tennis

I'm an amateur tennis player. I enjoy the sweating after a long playing session, and it helps me to destress too! (Photo: my striking moment)

Painting

I do both physical & digital painting (digital more often now..). Opening a brand new canva just make me enter my own creative realm. Above is an oil painting I did a while ago, a copy of Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night, isn't it nice and calm~

Travelling

I quite enjoy exploring new places, cultures, and most importantly..food! It's always fun to see what's going on outside of the hometown, just like me now, studying aboard :)