Scientific Research Areas

Neuromuscular diseases, Striated muscle physiology, Ca²⁺ signaling and mitochondrial function in health and disease.

Research Information

Dr. Zhou has a broad range of experience in striated muscle physiology and neuromuscular diseases, particularly in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). She has made important discoveries related to skeletal muscle EC-coupling, Ca²⁺ signaling and mitochondrial function in neuromuscular health and disease. Her publications include PNAS, Nat Cell Bio, Nat Communications, Cell report, Science Translational Medicine, AJP, JGP, J Physiol, Skeletal Muscle, Bone, JBC and Cir Res, etc. Dr. Zhou’ research team has developed various genetic mouse models and molecular probes to examine the intracellular regulation of Ca²⁺ and ROS signaling, and the functional interplay between intracellular organelles (i.e., mitochondria, sarcoplasmic reticulum, and autophagy/lysosome), and has a long term goal to explore mechanisms underlying the contribution of multi-organ crosstalk in ALS pathogenesis and progression, and further develop translation research in ALS.  Dr. Zhou’s research has received support from NIH, Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), the Department of Defense (DOD) and ALS Association, etc. Dr. Zhou is currently serving as a standing member of the NIH study section of SMEP (Skeletal Muscle and Exercise Physiology).

Education

Postdoctoral Fellow in Pharmacology
Vanderbilt University College of Medicine, 2001
Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics and Physiology
Rush University School of Medicine, 1997
Diploma in Medicine
Hunan Medical University (Xiangya Medical School), 1986