CURRENT LAB MEMBERS

Michelle T. Tong, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurobiology
Macalester College, St Paul, MN, USA

I am a behavioural neurobiologist broadly interested in the role that the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays in learning and memory. We use olfactory behavioural paradigms and the highly tractable olfactory circuits to investigate how ECM structures contribute to the encoding and maintenance of the complex olfactory environment.

My research is informed by 3 theoretical frameworks. First, in contrast to trauma-related memories, we want to understand how animals learn from and remember rewarding and mundane experiences. Second, we assume that the brain is set up to perform a set of domain-general functions rather than a collection of innate/specialised functions. Finally, I am interested in exploring how neuroscientific knowledge can be used to challenge, rather than reinforce, harmful normative social frameworks. In my teaching, I try to cultivate an environment where students are agents in their own learning.

I received my PhD in Psychology (behavioural and evolutionary neuroscience) from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and my BSc in psychology from Queen's University in Kingston, ON. I enjoy reading books, staying active, doing aikido, spending time with friends, and rotating through a variety of highly-specific hobbies (currently: kintsugi).

📚 Favourite book: The Sellout by Paul Beatty.

Featured

Edgar Orellana Reyes

Neuroscience & Stats minor, 2026

Project: Simulations of the effects of perineuronal nets on mitral cell intrinsic properties and network behaviour

📚 Favourite book: The Glass Castle by John Jeannette Walls

Abby Deeths

Neuroscience, 2026

Project: Perineuronal nets in the olfactory bulb are needed for fine, but not coarse-scale, discrimination

🎥 Favourite movie: Spirited Away

Lyndsey Willis

Neuroscience & Biology/Chemistry/Psychology minor, 2027

Project: Sex differences in adolescent diazepam exposure on reward-related memory and perineuronal nets

🎥 Favourite movie: The Shining

James Xu

Biology and Chemistry, 2028

Project: Sex differences in adolescent diazepam exposure on reward-related memory and perineuronal nets

🎥 Favourite movie: Sherlock Holmes

Elena Ortiz-Fishman

Neuroscience & Stats/Spanish minor, 2027

Project: Sex differences in adolescent diazepam exposure on reward-related memory and perineuronal nets

📚 Favourite book: Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

Natalie Martinez

Biology/Biochemistry & Chemistry, Neuroscience minor, 2027

Project: Microglia-Mediated Loss of Hippocampal Perineuronal Nets in Mild Respiratory COVID

🎥 Favourite movie: Into the Spiderverse

Aly Farrer

Neuroscience & Political Science, 2026

Project: Extracellular Matrix and Plasticity: Perineuronal Nets are Necessary for the Persistence of Olfactory Perceptual Learning

🎥 Favourite movie: The Princess Bride

LAB GUARDIAN BEASTS

Little Moon

Currently teaching us about the goodness of self-possessed companionship.

Favourite book 📚: *Pippi Longstocking* by Astrid Lindgren

Icy

Lab emotional support staff. Teaches us that it is perfectly ok to ask for care.
Favourite book 📚: *The Rabbit Listened* by Cori Doerrfeld

Max

Our gentle philosopher king. Teaches us that “love is an act of will - namely, both an intention and action.”

Max left this world on June 17, 2022 <3

Appa

Lab community builder and good friend. Teaches us to bring our curious joy to science.
Appa left this world on March 5, 2020 <3

INSPIRING LAB ALUMNI

Featured

Chris Lohmeier

Neuroscience & Data Science, 2025

Project: Novel adeno-associated virus mediated selective degradation of perineuronal nets in the olfactory bulb

📚 Favourite book:A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

Currently: Research technician at the University of Minnesota (Umpierre Lab)

Ram Guruprasad

Neuroscience, 2025

Project: Extracellular Matrix and Plasticity: Perineuronal Nets are Necessary for the Persistence of Olfactory Perceptual Learning

🎥 Favourite Movie: Knives Out (2019)

Currently: medical technician at Abbott Northwestern

Caroline Chapon

Biology & Neuroscience, 2025

Project: Investigating Microglia-Mediated Loss of Hippocampal Perineuronal Nets in Mild Respiratory COVID

📚 Favourite book:Normal People by Sally Rooney

Currently: Master of Science in Reproductive Science, Northwestern Medical

Sonya Baman

Neuroscience & Biology, 2025

Project: Novel adeno-associated virus-mediated selective degradation of perineuronal nets in the olfactory bulb

🎥 Favourite movie: Mamma Mia

Yuelia Chang

Biology & Biochemistry, 2025

Project: Novel adeno-associated virus mediated selective degradation of perineuronal nets in the olfactory bulb

🎥 Favourite movie: What Happened to Monday

Juan Pineda

Neuroscience, 2024

Project: Perineuronal net expression around spinal V1 neuron in ALS model

🎥 Favourite movie: All the Marvel movies

Currently: Research tech at Harvard/MIT Broad Institute

Carly Steifman

Biology (M) & Anthropology (m), 2024

Project: Investigating Microglia-Mediated Loss of Hippocampal Perineuronal Nets in Mild Respiratory COVID

📺 Favourite show: Grey’s Anatomy

Currently: Research technician with Yonker Lab at Harvard/MGH

Clara Lo

Neuroscience, 2024

Project: Olfactory perceptual learning requires olfactory bulb extracellular matrix

🎥 Favourite movie: The Harry Potter series

Currently: Research technician at NIH

Morgan Houlihan

Neuroscience, 2024

Project: Extracellular Matrix and Plasticity: Perineuronal Nets are Necessary for the Persistence of Olfactory Perceptual Learning

Sylvia Choi

Biology, 2024

Project: Extracellular Matrix and Plasticity: Perineuronal Nets are Necessary for the Persistence of Olfactory Perceptual Learning

Oliver Lagasse

Biology, 2024

Project: Investigating Microglia-Mediated Loss of Hippocampal Perineuronal Nets in Mild Respiratory COVID

Ryland Sanganoo

Neuroscience, 2023

Project: Age-related differences in perineuronal nets in the olfactory bulb and piriform cortex

📚 Favourite book: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Cameron Schultz

Neuroscience, 2022

Project: Age-related differences in perineuronal nets in the olfactory bulb and piriform cortex

📚 Favourite book: The Brain Under Siege by Howard Weiner.

Ryan Avenido

Biology & Music, 2021

Project: Odour-induced perineuronal net expression in the dentate gyrus

Tynan Gacy

Neuroscience, 2020

Project: “Perineuronal nets are selectively expressed around learning-related neurons”

Joshua Maclin

Neuroscience, 2021

Project: “Perineuronal nets are selectively expressed around learning-related neurons”

Currently: PhD student Biology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Tyrique Richardson

Biochemistry & Psychology, 2021

Project: “Perineuronal nets are selectively expressed around learning-related neurons”

Currently: PhD student Neuroscience at New York University

Starsha Davis

Neuroscience, 2021

Project: “Perineuronal nets are selectively expressed around learning-related neurons”

Arish Mudra Rakshasa-Loots

Neuroscience & Biochemistry, 2019

Project: "The Effect of Social Interaction on Chronic Stress-Induced Aberrant Decision-Making in Mice" (Supported by a Psi Chi Undergraduate Research grant)

Currently: PhD in Translational Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh (Wellcome Trust fellow)