Maozhen Qin (qinm AT ohsu.edu)
Bachelor in Nursing
Maozhen obtained a bachelor's degree in nursing in China and has been working as a research assistant since 2008. She joined the Mao and Zhong labs in 2011 where she quickly became the "go-to" person for genotyping, culturing slices, performing animal surgeries, and maintaining the inventory of lab supplies. She became lab manager in 2014. Outside of work, Maozhen enjoys camping and hiking.
Takaki Yahiro (yahiro AT oshu.edu) M.D., Ph.D., Nagoya University
Takaki joined the Zhong lab in October 2023 as a postdoctoral fellow. He received
his M.D., Ph.D. from Nagoya University in Japan, where his graduate study focused
on the afferent neural pathway for behavioral thermoregulation. He will investigate
the PKC-mediated neural modulation in the cortex with a newly improved PKC
sensor and in vivo 2-photon lifetime imaging. Outside the lab, Takaki often explores
restaurants and tries new cuisines in Portland.
Helen/Lanboling Guo (guol AT ohsu.edu) Ph.D., Nanyang Technological University
Helen joined the Zhong lab in April 2024 as a postdoctoral fellow. She earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the School of Biological Science, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, where she studied how interneurons in the cerebellum are involved in non-motor functions. She then went to the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at the same University, studied cerebellar-related motor control, and tested behaviors and vasculature changes in several disease models. In the Zhong lab, Helen plans to explore the role of PKA in neuronal activities during locomotion with two-photon imaging. Outside the lab, Helen likes cooking and hiking.
Jiaman Dai (daij AT ohsu.edu) Ph.D., Chongqing University
Jiaman joined the Zhong Lab in December 2024 as a Senior Research Associate. He earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Chongqing University in 2017. From 2009 to 2017, he worked at the Southwest Eye Hospital in Chongqing, China, as a clinical visual technician and research scientist, specializing in animal visual function. He then completed postdoctoral training in neuroscience at the University of Wyoming, where he studied how the somatosensory cortex processes information during learning. At the Zhong Lab, Jiaman’s research focuses on the intrinsic signaling dynamics of astrocytes and their role in neurotransmitter modulation during learning. Outside the lab, he enjoys staying active through fitness and indulging in his love for reading.
Yinghan Xiao (xiaoy AT ohsu.edu) B.S., South University of Science and Technology
Yinghan joined the Zhong Lab as a Ph.D. student in December 2024. He earned his bachelor's degree from the Southern University of Science and Technology and his master's degree from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he focused on fluorescent protein engineering. He developed an intensity-based inositol triphosphate sensor using a novel design strategy. At the lab, his focus is on developing more fluorescent sensors for Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM) and applying them in neuroscience research. Outside the lab, Yinghan enjoys hiking, camping, and esports.
Yizhou Zhuo (zhuoy AT ohsu.edu) Ph.D., Peking University
Yizhou joined Zhong lab in July 2024 as a postdoctoral fellow. She earned her Ph.D. at the School of Life Sciences, Peking University, where her graduate study mainly focus on the development of genetically-encoded dopamine sensors. Yizhou developed a suite of green and red dopamine sensors that enable sensitive dopamine detection across multiple brain areas and dual-color imaging in combined use with other optical sensors in vivo, which therefore provide a robust tool for better understanding the dopamine system. Yizhou plans to continuously work on tool development but shifting her interest from generating optical sensors for probing extracellular transmission to optical actuators that are able to manipulate intracellular signaling processes. Outside of work, Yizhou enjoys traveling and tasty foods.
Tin-Long Yiu (yiu AT ohsu.edu)
B.Sc., University College London
Tin joined the Zhong Lab in summer 2020 as a graduate student. He earned his B.Sc. in Neuroscience from University College London, where he studied the role of Purkinje cell activity in timed sensorimotor association in the laboratory of Professor Michael Häusser. For his graduate work, Tin will use two-photon imaging, Neuropixels recording and optogenetics to investigate how cerebellar computations are influenced by neuromodulation during sensorimotor learning. Outside of the lab, Tin enjoys playing basketball and Go.
Brecklyn Beighle (beighle AT ohsu.edu) B.A., Lewis & Clark College
Brecklyn joined the Zhong lab in June 2023 and plans to ultimately pursue an advanced degree. She graduated from Lewis & Clark College in May 2023 with a B.A. in Biology. Brecklyn worked for a biotech company in the summer of 2022 that developed a compact device to detect viral infections using PCR. She was captain of her college soccer team and continues to play recreationally. Away from work, you can find Brecklyn testing new recipes or running and hiking the local trails.
Lab Alumni
Lei Ma - Postdoc - Principle Investigator
Cesar Cabellos - Postdoc - Computational Neuroscience
Evan Wilson (2021 - 2023) - Research Assistant - Sales Industry
Christian Massengill (2018 - 2021) - Research Assistant - Graduate Student, Harvard University
Weihong Xiong - 2015-2020 - Staff Scientist - Data Science Industry
Joshua Melander - 2014-2017 - Research Assistant - Graduate Student, Stanford University
Dale Fortin - 2012-2016 - Postdoc - Adjunct Faculty, Washington State University at Vancouver
Sheng Miao - 2013-2015 - Postdoc - Postdoc, Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Shane Tillo - 2010-2013 - NGP Ph.D. Student - Principle Investigator, Montana Molecular, LLC
Brian Long - 2010-2013 - Postdoc - Scientist II, Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle
Guang Yang - 2011-2012 - Postdoc - Postdoc, Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland
Geng-Lin Li - 2011 - Research Associate - Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts Amherst