Zhen Zhao, PhD
Professor, Division of Biomedical Informatics and Genomics
Education & Affiliations
Biography
Dr. Zhen Zhao most recently was an Assistant Professor of Physiology & Neuroscience at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC). He also served as the Associate Director of the Neuromedicine Ph.D. Program and Director of the Cell Engineering & Regeneration Core at the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute. His research focused on the genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, particularly the blood-brain barrier (BBB), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and CNS infections. He has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles with more than 13,800 citations and an h-index of 46.
- Ph.D. in Neuroscience, University of Southern California, 2009
- B.S. in Biological Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 2001
- Postdoctoral training in neurodegenerative diseases and immunology at USC
- Faculty member at USC since 2014; Assistant Professor since 2017
- Associate Director, Neuromedicine Ph.D. Program
- Director, Cell Engineering & Regeneration Core, ZNI
Memberships: • Society for Neuroscience • Alzheimer’s Association ISTAART • American Physiological Society • American Cancer Society (past)
Research
Dr. Zhao’s research integrates genetics, cellular biology, and bioengineering to explore: • BBB specialization and dysfunction using transgenic models and single-cell transcriptomics • AD pathogenesis, focusing on genes like PICALM and APOE, and the cGAS-STING immune pathway • TBI and aging, identifying TMEM252 as a key driver of microvascular injury • CNS infections, including Zika and HSV-1, and their links to neurodegeneration • Stroke and ischemia, exploring therapeutic roles of activated protein C and stem cell therapies
He has secured over $20 million in NIH funding and additional support from private foundations.
Contributions
NCBI Profile: Dr. Zhao's NCBI Bibliography
Google Scholar: Dr. Zhao's Google Scholar Citations
Dr. Zhao has published extensively in leading scientific journals, including Nature Neuroscience, Cell Stem Cell, Nature Aging, and the Journal of Neuroscience. His research has made significant contributions to the understanding of blood-brain barrier (BBB) biology, neuroimmune interactions, and the vascular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases.
Interests
- Neurovascular unit and blood-brain barrier biology
- Genetic risk factors in Alzheimer’s disease
- Vascular cognitive impairment and dementia
- Innate immunity in CNS diseases
- Infectious etiology of neurodegeneration
- Traumatic brain injury and neuroinflammation
Awards & Accomplishments
• Top 1% Highly Cited Researcher (Clarivate Analytics, 2020–2023) • Faculty Leadership Fellow, USC Center for Excellence in Teaching (2023) • Investigator Awards from IDSA Foundation, BrightFocus Foundation, Whittier Foundation, and Alzheimer’s Association • Numerous invited lectures and symposia at institutions including Tulane, University of Michigan, and Baylor College of Medicine
