Li Zhang, PhD

As systems neuroscientists, our overarching goal is to decipher the brain’s circuitry in order to understand how perception and behavior are generated and regulated, how brain adapts to dynamic changes in the external environment, and how specific alterations of brain function contribute to neurological and psychiatric disorders. To tackle these complex questions, we focus on resolving the architecture of neural circuits—uncovering how neurons are wired together to form the structural basis of brain function.

Technical innovation is central to our efforts in navigating the complexity of brain circuits. Over the past decade, we have dedicated significant efforts to developing molecular, genetic, electrophysiological, and imaging techniques aimed at elucidating neural circuits that underlie both local neuronal computation and behavioral control. We now employ a comprehensive suite of state-of-the-art methodologies—including in vivo and in vitro electrophysiology, two-photon calcium imaging, neural modeling, anatomical tracing, and optogenetics—to build an integrative understanding of neural circuits composed of diverse cell types.

• White House: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, 2008
• David and Lucile Packard Foundation: Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering, 2006
• Searle Scholar Program, Kinship Foundation: Searle Scholar Award, 2005
• The Esther A. & and Joseph Klingenstein Fund: Klingenstein Fellowship Award in Neuroscience, 2005

• Neural circuits for social modulation of a persistent negative emotional state
  NIH · RF1NS132912 · Sep 1, 2023 – Aug 31, 2026 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• Cell-type basis for auditory processing in the inferior colliculus
  NIH · R01DC020887 · Dec 9, 2022 – Nov 30, 2027 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Cell atlas of mouse brain-spinal cord connectome
  NIH · U01MH116990 · Sep 1, 2018 – May 31, 2024 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Novel fluorescent sensors based on GPCRs for imaging neuromodulation
  NIH · U01NS103558 · Sep 30, 2017 – Jun 30, 2020 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• Integrative approach to classifying neuronal cell types of the mouse hippocampus
  NIH · RF1MH114112 · Sep 1, 2017 – Aug 31, 2021 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• Contribution of striatum to central auditory processing
  NIH · R01DC008983 · Aug 1, 2007 – Aug 31, 2029 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Synaptic Receptive Field of Auditory Cortical Inhibitory Neuron
  NIH · R21DC008588 · Dec 1, 2006 – Nov 30, 2009 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Synaptic basis for cortical tonal receptive field
  NIH · R03DC006814 · Jan 1, 2005 – Dec 31, 2007 · Role: Principal Investigator

• Reviving-like prosocial behavior in response to unconscious or dead conspecifics in rodents. Science. 2025 02 21; 387(6736):eadq2677.. View in PubMed
• The medial preoptic area mediates depressive-like behaviors induced by ovarian hormone withdrawal through distinct GABAergic projections. Nat Neurosci. 2023 09; 26(9):1529-1540.. View in PubMed
• Glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in pontine central gray mediate opposing valence-specific behaviors through a global network. Neuron. 2023 05 03; 111(9):1486-1503.e7.. View in PubMed
• Medial preoptic area antagonistically mediates stress-induced anxiety and parental behavior. Nat Neurosci. 2021 04; 24(4):516-528.. View in PubMed
• AAV-Mediated Anterograde Transsynaptic Tagging: Mapping Corticocollicular Input-Defined Neural Pathways for Defense Behaviors. Neuron. 2017 Jan 04; 93(1):33-47.. View in PubMed
• Fine-tuning of pre-balanced excitation and inhibition during auditory cortical development. Nature. 2010 Jun 17; 465(7300):927-31.. View in PubMed

• Tao, Huizhong