Now Enrolling · 2026

UCSD Advanced
Neurosciences Research Program

A rigorous 1:1 mentorship program led by Dr. Chengbiao Wu — a faculty member at UC San Diego — guiding high school students from foundational neurobiology to an original, publishable research paper.

8-Week Lectures + 10-Month Mentorship
2 hrs/week · Online
HS Students & Gap Year
Biology Background Required
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About the Program

From the Brain's Cells to the Frontiers of AI-Driven Medicine

Haddee Education, in collaboration with Dr. Chengbiao Wu — a distinguished faculty member at UC San Diego and Co-Director of the Biophotonics Technology Center — presents an immersive exploration into the complexities of the human nervous system.

Students navigate a comprehensive journey from foundational neurobiology — cellular signaling and synaptic plasticity — to the frontiers of translational medicine. The curriculum highlights Dr. Wu's pioneering research in neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's) and the innovative use of AlphaFold in predicting genetic pathogenicity.

Through rigorous lectures and extended one-on-one email mentorship, each student produces an original research paper — a premier launchpad for aspiring medical and research professionals.

Program Director
Dr. Chengbiao Wu
Dr. Chengbiao Wu
Faculty · UC San Diego
Co-Director, Biophotonics Technology Center

Dr. Wu completed postdoctoral fellowships at the NIH, UT Southwestern, and Stanford University, before joining UCSD's Department of Neurosciences. His lab leads high-impact translational research bridging bench science to clinical treatments for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases.

130+
Publications
21.8K+
Citations
h=41
H-Index
Published in Neuron · Nature Genetics · Nature Communications · PNAS · JCI
Why This Program

4 Reasons Students Choose This Program

🔬
Elite Mentorship from a World-Class Neuroscientist

Learn under the direct guidance of Dr. Chengbiao Wu, with over 130 publications in top-tier journals and 21,800+ citations. Decades of high-level research and university teaching, brought directly to you.

🤖
Cutting-Edge Research: AI & Neurodegeneration

Go beyond textbooks. Explore the use of AlphaFold-based platforms to predict genetic mutations in Alzheimer's Disease — a rare look at how Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing brain research.

📝
10-Month Personalized 1-on-1 Research Mentorship

Beyond the lectures, each student embarks on a 10-month independent research journey with personalized one-on-one guidance — expert feedback on hypotheses, data interpretation, and scientific writing that mirrors authentic university lab mentorship.

🎓
Roadmap to Medical & Graduate Success

Designed as a premier launchpad for aspiring doctors and researchers. Develop the rigorous scientific mindset required for top medical schools and elite PhD programs. Dr. Wu's former mentees have matriculated into top-tier programs worldwide.

Curriculum

What You'll Study

8 weeks of structured lectures (2 hrs/week), followed by 10 months of 1-on-1 research mentorship

🧠
Week 1–2
Introduction to Neuroscience
Neuroanatomy: The Nervous Systems
⚡
Week 3–4
Cellular Neuroscience
Neurons and Glia · Action Potentials & Synapses
🔗
Week 5
Neural Circuits & Signaling
How networks of neurons process information
💡
Week 6
Learning & Memory
Neurodevelopment and Plasticity
🏥
Week 7–8
Neurological & Psychiatric Disorders
Frontiers in Neuroscience Research
📄
Months 2–12
1-on-1 Research Mentorship
Original paper toward peer-reviewed publication
Research Lab Components
Brain Dissection Neuronal & Astrocyte Culture Genetic Manipulation Live Cell Imaging Systems Neurosciences AlphaFold Analysis
Your Mentor

About Dr. Chengbiao Wu

Academic Background
  • →
    PhD & MSc
    Molecular Plant Biology, Queen's University, Canada
  • →
    Postdoctoral Fellowship — NIH
    National Institutes of Health, Advanced Neurosciences
  • →
    Postdoctoral Fellowship — UT Southwestern
    UT Southwestern Medical Center
  • →
    Postdoctoral Fellowship — Stanford University
    Stanford School of Medicine
Research Focus
  • →
    Neurodegenerative Disease: Investigating cellular mechanisms and axonopathy in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases
  • →
    Computational Platforms: Developing AlphaFold-based diagnostic tools to predict pathogenicity of APP, PS1, and TREM2 genetic mutations
  • →
    Sensory Neuropathy: Exploring treatments for rare disorders including Charcot-Marie-Tooth 2B and HSANV
Teaching at UCSD
Teaches "Neurobiology of Diseases" at UCSD. Mentor for STARS, ISRP, and MADURA programs. Former mentees have matriculated into top medical schools and elite PhD programs worldwide.
Prerequisites

Who Should Apply

🧬
Introductory Biology
Comfort with cellular biology, genetics, and basic life science fundamentals.
⚗️
Basic Chemistry
Familiarity with molecular interactions, reaction basics, and chemical structures.
🔍
Curiosity & Commitment
This is a 10-month commitment requiring dedication, independent thinking, and scientific writing.
📚
Recommended Textbook
"Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain" by Mark F. Bear, Barry W. Connors, and Michael A. Paradiso (5th Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2020 or later)
Resources
YouTube: Program Info Session
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