Welcome!

For animals who live in an unpredictable world, the ability to process and remember their sensory environment accurately is crucial for survival. Our lab focuses broadly on how such sensory representations form (learning) and persist (memory).

Our group is dedicated to undergraduate-driven neuroscience research. We pair behavioural studies with psychopharmacology and techniques in molecular biology to study the molecular pathways involved in olfactory memory.

The TONG RESEARCH GROUP  is at Earlham College in Richmond, IN, USA.

News/Updates:

Setting up our shiny, new Vetflo device. We use this to deliver anesthesia to mice during surgeries. In the Tong Research Group, we’re interested in understanding mechanisms of memory, often by disrupting them. In most cases, we inject drugs into the brain through implanted cannula. Hence, the surgeries. We’re excited to be doing the first of such experiments this summer with a group of NSF-funded students! Welcome aboard, y’all! #STEMatSLAC #undergradresearch
Setting up our shiny, new Vetflo device. We use this to deliver anesthesia to mice during surgeries. In the Tong Research Group, we’re interested in understanding mechanisms of memory, often by disrupting them. In most cases, we inject drugs into the brain through implanted cannula. Hence, the surgeries. We’re excited to be doing the first of such experiments this summer with a group of NSF-funded students! Welcome aboard, y’all! #STEMatSLAC #undergradresearch
It’s break here at Earlham, but PI Michelle Tong is in a workshop learning how to use R, git, and shell. #Neuroscience is constantly changing and adopting new methodologies. The best researchers are the ones who find time to learn new things. #undergradresearch students should do this too. Take advantage of professional development opportunities! #lifelonglearner
It’s break here at Earlham, but PI Michelle Tong is in a workshop learning how to use R, git, and shell. #Neuroscience is constantly changing and adopting new methodologies. The best researchers are the ones who find time to learn new things. #undergradresearch students should do this too. Take advantage of professional development opportunities! #lifelonglearner
We’re at it again! This time, #undergraduateresearch student Olivia will be investigating the relationships between gut bacteria and memory! You’re seeing the cover page of our approved IACUC protocol. The IACUC is the committee that reviews all experiments with animals to ensure their safety and care. The protocol proposals encourage researchers to plan out their experiments ahead of time to be mindful of animal usage. The IACUC reads these protocols and asks us to adjust numbers, steps, etc to balance animal care and experimental goals. Congrats, Olivia on your approved protocol! #STEMatSLAC
We’re at it again! This time, #undergraduateresearch student Olivia will be investigating the relationships between gut bacteria and memory! You’re seeing the cover page of our approved IACUC protocol. The IACUC is the committee that reviews all experiments with animals to ensure their safety and care. The protocol proposals encourage researchers to plan out their experiments ahead of time to be mindful of animal usage. The IACUC reads these protocols and asks us to adjust numbers, steps, etc to balance animal care and experimental goals. Congrats, Olivia on your approved protocol! #STEMatSLAC
Maren doing an exceptional job talking about her summer research with Prof Bob Rosenberg! #STEMatSLAC #undergradresearch
Maren doing an exceptional job talking about her summer research with Prof Bob Rosenberg! #STEMatSLAC #undergradresearch
Wishing you a happy new year and a wonderful new semester of research! #newyear #letsgetit
Wishing you a happy new year and a wonderful new semester of research! #newyear #letsgetit
Research takes a break as students tackle final exams and PI Michelle Tong grades this grocery bag full of papers. Happy break, y'all!
Research takes a break as students tackle final exams and PI Michelle Tong grades this grocery bag full of papers. Happy break, y'all!
Spoiler alert: it's good news! After we collect our data, we use statistical analysis software (in this case, SPSS) to see if significant differences exist between our control and experimental groups. There's great ongoing debate amongst researchers what are best practices, but one thing is certain: a strong command of statistics is crucial to scientific research AND informed citizenship. Don't leave high school or college without taking a stats course. If you work in a lab, don't let your PI get away with not teaching you how to analyze the data YOU collected! #STEMatSLAC #undergradresearch #stats
Spoiler alert: it's good news! After we collect our data, we use statistical analysis software (in this case, SPSS) to see if significant differences exist between our control and experimental groups. There's great ongoing debate amongst researchers what are best practices, but one thing is certain: a strong command of statistics is crucial to scientific research AND informed citizenship. Don't leave high school or college without taking a stats course. If you work in a lab, don't let your PI get away with not teaching you how to analyze the data YOU collected! #STEMatSLAC #undergradresearch #stats
Hmm ... our RNA isn't showing up. Any thoughts on what could be wrong, #sciencetwitter or #scienceinsta ?
Hmm ... our RNA isn't showing up. Any thoughts on what could be wrong, #sciencetwitter or #scienceinsta ?
Published Methods sections often do not feature all the checking and testing that goes into a protocol. To measure the amount or change in mRNA levels, we first need to check how much RNA we even have (nanodrop here!) and then what the quality of it is (by running it on a gel. We'll show you when we get there), and then, and then, and then ... #testinginprogress #undergradresearch #STEMatSLAC #carefulscience
Published Methods sections often do not feature all the checking and testing that goes into a protocol. To measure the amount or change in mRNA levels, we first need to check how much RNA we even have (nanodrop here!) and then what the quality of it is (by running it on a gel. We'll show you when we get there), and then, and then, and then ... #testinginprogress #undergradresearch #STEMatSLAC #carefulscience
Happy fall break! Our intrepid #undergradresearch team is running a "perceptual learning" expt. Prolonged exposure to very similar odours (inside the teaball) can lead to discrimination of these odours. The key here is that learning occurs without an external reinforcement (like a treat). We're interested in the accompanying molecular mechanisms of this kind of learning. #STEMatSLAC
Happy fall break! Our intrepid #undergradresearch team is running a "perceptual learning" expt. Prolonged exposure to very similar odours (inside the teaball) can lead to discrimination of these odours. The key here is that learning occurs without an external reinforcement (like a treat). We're interested in the accompanying molecular mechanisms of this kind of learning. #STEMatSLAC
Two weeks ago, we received this email along with sad news from our lab tech that the back-up generator for our -80C freezer did not work during the power failure. This means that all the brain samples we collected last month are likely degraded. This was the latest of many research set backs for the students. Despite that, these champions are at again tomorrow with a new set of mice . To quote, "we want the data." These students are inspiring. #undergradresearch #STEMatSLAC
Two weeks ago, we received this email along with sad news from our lab tech that the back-up generator for our -80C freezer did not work during the power failure. This means that all the brain samples we collected last month are likely degraded. This was the latest of many research set backs for the students. Despite that, these champions are at again tomorrow with a new set of mice . To quote, "we want the data." These students are inspiring. #undergradresearch #STEMatSLAC
When you're serious about Halloween, but also serious about personal protective equipment (PPE). Many people don't know that you can actually develop allergies to rodents over time, so PPE not only keeps you safe and clean, it also keeps you allergy-free for longer. #neuroscience #STEMatSLAC
When you're serious about Halloween, but also serious about personal protective equipment (PPE). Many people don't know that you can actually develop allergies to rodents over time, so PPE not only keeps you safe and clean, it also keeps you allergy-free for longer. #neuroscience #STEMatSLAC
Our big experiment begins this Saturday. 🙌🏻 Kayla is one of our behaviour experts, she's showing Swati and Naomi how its done here. #neuroscience #undergradresearch #ThatsSoEarlham these three kept teasing me about taking "stock photos" y'all, I WISH more stock photos of "science" featured Nepalese, Filipino, and Native American femme scientists. we'd all be better off #DiversifySTEM
Our big experiment begins this Saturday. 🙌🏻 Kayla is one of our behaviour experts, she's showing Swati and Naomi how its done here. #neuroscience #undergradresearch #ThatsSoEarlham these three kept teasing me about taking "stock photos" y'all, I WISH more stock photos of "science" featured Nepalese, Filipino, and Native American femme scientists. we'd all be better off #DiversifySTEM
Ever wonder how mice get from the suppliers to your lab? Here it is! This amazingly engineered box has hydrogel (gel water) and food inside. Wire mesh against the inside of the box to prevent chewing and ... a very convenient observation window to see how the cuties are doing #neuroscience #undergradresearch
Ever wonder how mice get from the suppliers to your lab? Here it is! This amazingly engineered box has hydrogel (gel water) and food inside. Wire mesh against the inside of the box to prevent chewing and ... a very convenient observation window to see how the cuties are doing #neuroscience #undergradresearch
Y'all have no idea how under-appreciated animal care staff can feel at research institutions. So, this week's #unsunghero of #undergradresearch is Maren, our mouse care queen. Animal care staff keep animals safe and healthy, they are the true partners of researchers. Thank you, Maren! #neuroscience
Y'all have no idea how under-appreciated animal care staff can feel at research institutions. So, this week's #unsunghero of #undergradresearch is Maren, our mouse care queen. Animal care staff keep animals safe and healthy, they are the true partners of researchers. Thank you, Maren! #neuroscience
Having fun presenting their work! #neuroscience #mGLuRs2017 #undergradresearch
Having fun presenting their work! #neuroscience #mGLuRs2017 #undergradresearch
Tong Research Group past and present getting ready to present their posters! #undergradresearch #mGLuRs2017 #neuroscience
Tong Research Group past and present getting ready to present their posters! #undergradresearch #mGLuRs2017 #neuroscience
Lunch break at #mGLuRs2017 #neuroscience #undergradresearch #conferencing
Lunch break at #mGLuRs2017 #neuroscience #undergradresearch #conferencing
The #earlhamcollege group at #mGLuRs2017, undergraduate #neuroscience conference.
The #earlhamcollege group at #mGLuRs2017, undergraduate #neuroscience conference.
We're attending a neuroscience conference at Ohio Wesleyan today, and the shoe game of our students vary dramatically ... #ThatsSoEarlham
We're attending a neuroscience conference at Ohio Wesleyan today, and the shoe game of our students vary dramatically ... #ThatsSoEarlham
Setting up our shiny, new Vetflo device. We use this to deliver anesthesia to mice during surgeries. In the Tong Research Group, we’re interested in understanding mechanisms of memory, often by disrupting them. In most cases, we inject drugs into the brain through implanted cannula. Hence, the surgeries. We’re excited to be doing the first of such experiments this summer with a group of NSF-funded students! Welcome aboard, y’all! #STEMatSLAC #undergradresearch It’s break here at Earlham, but PI Michelle Tong is in a workshop learning how to use R, git, and shell. #Neuroscience is constantly changing and adopting new methodologies. The best researchers are the ones who find time to learn new things. #undergradresearch students should do this too. Take advantage of professional development opportunities! #lifelonglearner We’re at it again! This time, #undergraduateresearch student Olivia will be investigating the relationships between gut bacteria and memory! You’re seeing the cover page of our approved IACUC protocol. The IACUC is the committee that reviews all experiments with animals to ensure their safety and care. The protocol proposals encourage researchers to plan out their experiments ahead of time to be mindful of animal usage. The IACUC reads these protocols and asks us to adjust numbers, steps, etc to balance animal care and experimental goals. Congrats, Olivia on your approved protocol! #STEMatSLAC Maren doing an exceptional job talking about her summer research with Prof Bob Rosenberg! #STEMatSLAC #undergradresearch Wishing you a happy new year and a wonderful new semester of research! #newyear #letsgetit Research takes a break as students tackle final exams and PI Michelle Tong grades this grocery bag full of papers. Happy break, y'all! Spoiler alert: it's good news! After we collect our data, we use statistical analysis software (in this case, SPSS) to see if significant differences exist between our control and experimental groups. There's great ongoing debate amongst researchers what are best practices, but one thing is certain: a strong command of statistics is crucial to scientific research AND informed citizenship. Don't leave high school or college without taking a stats course. If you work in a lab, don't let your PI get away with not teaching you how to analyze the data YOU collected! #STEMatSLAC #undergradresearch #stats Hmm ... our RNA isn't showing up. Any thoughts on what could be wrong, #sciencetwitter or #scienceinsta ? Published Methods sections often do not feature all the checking and testing that goes into a protocol. To measure the amount or change in mRNA levels, we first need to check how much RNA we even have (nanodrop here!) and then what the quality of it is (by running it on a gel. We'll show you when we get there), and then, and then, and then ... #testinginprogress #undergradresearch #STEMatSLAC #carefulscience Happy fall break! Our intrepid #undergradresearch team is running a "perceptual learning" expt. Prolonged exposure to very similar odours (inside the teaball) can lead to discrimination of these odours. The key here is that learning occurs without an external reinforcement (like a treat). We're interested in the accompanying molecular mechanisms of this kind of learning. #STEMatSLAC Two weeks ago, we received this email along with sad news from our lab tech that the back-up generator for our -80C freezer did not work during the power failure. This means that all the brain samples we collected last month are likely degraded. This was the latest of many research set backs for the students. Despite that, these champions are at again tomorrow with a new set of mice . To quote, "we want the data." These students are inspiring. #undergradresearch #STEMatSLAC When you're serious about Halloween, but also serious about personal protective equipment (PPE). Many people don't know that you can actually develop allergies to rodents over time, so PPE not only keeps you safe and clean, it also keeps you allergy-free for longer. #neuroscience #STEMatSLAC Our big experiment begins this Saturday. 🙌🏻 Kayla is one of our behaviour experts, she's showing Swati and Naomi how its done here. #neuroscience #undergradresearch #ThatsSoEarlham these three kept teasing me about taking "stock photos" y'all, I WISH more stock photos of "science" featured Nepalese, Filipino, and Native American femme scientists. we'd all be better off #DiversifySTEM Ever wonder how mice get from the suppliers to your lab? Here it is! This amazingly engineered box has hydrogel (gel water) and food inside. Wire mesh against the inside of the box to prevent chewing and ... a very convenient observation window to see how the cuties are doing #neuroscience #undergradresearch Y'all have no idea how under-appreciated animal care staff can feel at research institutions. So, this week's #unsunghero of #undergradresearch is Maren, our mouse care queen. Animal care staff keep animals safe and healthy, they are the true partners of researchers. Thank you, Maren! #neuroscience Having fun presenting their work! #neuroscience #mGLuRs2017 #undergradresearch Tong Research Group past and present getting ready to present their posters! #undergradresearch #mGLuRs2017 #neuroscience Lunch break at #mGLuRs2017 #neuroscience #undergradresearch #conferencing The #earlhamcollege group at #mGLuRs2017, undergraduate #neuroscience conference. We're attending a neuroscience conference at Ohio Wesleyan today, and the shoe game of our students vary dramatically ... #ThatsSoEarlham

Feel free to explore this website for more information about what we do and how to join us!