Xin Zhao
Program Affiliations
Education
Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2018
Areas of Focus
At the Zhao Lab, we investigate a fundamental question in behavioral neuroscience: How does the social environment shape the brain, and how do these neural changes influence behavior and emotion? To address this, we use rodent models in combination with diverse behavioral paradigms and cutting-edge neuroscience techniques. Our work focuses on identifying the neural circuits and endocrine mechanisms through which altered social experiences affect behavior. Ultimately, our research aims to provide insight into the neural basis of neuropsychiatric disorders linked to disrupted social environments.
For more information, please visit my laboratory website: https://xzhao322.wixsite.com/xinzhaolab
Zhao, X., Chae, Y.†, Smith, D.†, Chen, V.†, Sadangi, A.†, DeFelipe, D.†, Sokol, J. W.†, & Tschida, K. A. (2024) Short-term social isolation acts on hypothalamic neurons to promote social behavior in a sex- and context-dependent manner. 13:RP94924
Zhao, X., Erickson, M.†, Mohammed, R.†, & Kentner, A. C. (2022). Maternal immune activation accelerates puberty initiation and alters mechanical allodynia in male and female C57BL6/J mice. Developmental Psychobiology. 64 (5), e22278
Zhao, X.*, Ziobro, P.*, Pranic, N. M.*, Chu, S., Rabinovich, S.†, Chan, W., Zhao, J., Kornbrek, C., He, Z., & Tschida, K. A. (2021). Sex- and context-dependent effects of acute isolation on vocal and non-vocal social behaviors in mice. PLoS ONE. 16(9): e0255640 (* co-first authorship)
Zhao, X., Mohammed, R.†, Tran, H.†, Erickson, M.†, & Kentner, A. C. (2021). Poly (I: C)-induced maternal immune activation modifies ventral hippocampal regulation of stress reactivity: prevention by environmental enrichment. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. 95, 203-215
Last Updated: November 03, 2025