Our Team

Principal Investigator

Guang-Wei Zhang

Guang-Wei Zhang, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Assistant Professor
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
Virginia Commonwealth University

Dr. Zhang's research focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying social behavior and how these mechanisms are disrupted in neuropsychiatric disorders. The laboratory uses cutting-edge techniques including optogenetics, chemogenetics, in vivo imaging, and sophisticated behavioral analysis to investigate neural circuits controlling social impairment, with the ultimate goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets for conditions such as autism, depression, and anxiety disorders.

Research Interests

  • Neural circuits controlling social behavior and emotional processing
  • Prosocial behaviors and empathy in animal models
  • Stress-induced anxiety and depression mechanisms
  • Excitation-inhibition balance in neuropsychiatric disorders
  • Therapeutic target identification for social impairments
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Current Members

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Postdoctoral Fellow

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Graduate Student

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Research Technician

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Join Our Team

We are actively recruiting motivated researchers at all levels who are passionate about understanding the neural basis of social behavior and developing new approaches to treat neuropsychiatric disorders. Our lab provides a collaborative and supportive environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities and techniques for scientific discovery.

Postdoctoral Fellows

We seek PhD holders with expertise in neuroscience, behavioral analysis, electrophysiology, or related fields. Experience with in vivo techniques is preferred.

Graduate Students

Prospective PhD students interested in neural circuits, social behavior, and translational neuroscience are encouraged to apply through VCU's graduate programs.

Research Technicians

Recent graduates seeking research experience in systems neuroscience. Ideal candidates have strong organizational skills and interest in animal behavior.

To Apply: Please send your CV, a cover letter describing your research interests and career goals, and contact information for three references to Dr. Zhang.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse research environment. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

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Alumni

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