Yassine, Hussein
We study how APOE4 increases the risk of AD through cell, animal and imaging models and in human clinical trials.
Zhang, Li
Professor of Physiology and Neuroscience
As systems neuroscientists, we aim to decipher brain circuits to understand how perception and behavior arise, how the brain adapts to a dynamic environment, and how circuit dysfunction contributes to neurological and psychiatric disorders. We focus on resolving neural architecture—the wiring of neurons that underlies brain function. Technical innovation is central to our approach. We have developed molecular, genetic, electrophysiological, and imaging tools to study circuits supporting both local computation and behavior. Our research integrates in vivo and in vitro electrophysiology, two-photon calcium imaging, neural modeling, anatomical tracing, and optogenetics to build a comprehensive understanding of cell-type-specific circuit mechanisms.
Zhao, Zhen
Assistant Professor of Physiology & Neuroscience
I received my Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Southern California (USC) in 2009, continued my journey at USC as a postdoctoral fellow in 2010, and was promoted to tenure-track assistant professor at in 2017. My scientific training and research expertise covers neurosciences and immunology, as I was mentored by several renowned mentors in these fields, particularly Dr Berislav Zlokovic on blood-brain barrier and neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, my main research objective is to explore the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, understand the crosstalk between the cell types of the brain and explore new approaches to restore the functional crosstalk for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
