(Amy) Zhong Sheng Zheng, Ph.D.
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(Amy) Zhong Sheng Zheng, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
Amy Zheng is an integrative neuroscientist specializing in brain injury rehabilitation and precision medicine. Her research recognizes the interconnection between brain and body systems, employing multimodal approaches including neuroimaging, neuromodulation, wearable technologies, genetic profiling, blood biomarkers, and neuropsychological assessments to develop comprehensive biomarkers that enhance clinical diagnosis and personalized rehabilitation strategies. With expertise spanning both academic and industry settings, she has investigated diverse neurological conditions including Parkinson’s disease, disorders of consciousness, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and long COVID. As co-founder of a precision medicine startup leveraging consumer genetics for personalized health insights, Amy brings practical industry experience to translational neuroscience, focusing on bridging laboratory discoveries with real-world clinical applications to optimize recovery outcomes.
Undergraduate
Indiana University: B.S. in Psychology/Neuroscience; Minors: Biology, Latin
Graduate
UCLA: Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience
Representative Publications
Zheng, Z., Shemmassian, S., Wijekoon, C., Kim, W., Bookheimer, S. Y., & Pouratian, N. (2014). DTI correlates of distinct cognitive impairments in Parkinson’s disease. Human Brain Mapping, 35(4), 1325–1333. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.22256
Zheng, Z. S., Reggente, N., Lutkenhoff, E., Owen, A. M., & Monti, M. M. (2017b). Disentangling disorders of consciousness: Insights from diffusion tensor imaging and machine learning. Human Brain Mapping, 38(1), 431–443. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.23370
Zheng, Z. S., Reggente, N., & Monti, M. M. (2023). Arousal Regulation by the External Globus Pallidus: A New Node for the Mesocircuit Hypothesis. Brain Sciences, 13(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13010146
Zheng, Z. S., Simonian, N., Wang, J., & Rosario, E. R. (2024). Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation improves Long COVID symptoms in a female cohort: A pilot study. Frontiers in Neurology, 15, 1393371. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1393371
Your ideal research study
Exploring neurobiological signatures of non-ordinary states to bridge contemplative traditions with neuroscience and expand human potential
What drew you to consciousness
I grew up in a mystical household where my mother is a medium/channeler and my father is a fortune teller, with unusual perceptual experiences woven into everyday life. This upbringing drew me to neuroscience as a way to understand the mechanisms of consciousness and altered states.
Hobbies
Learning (wish I could learn everything), studying astrology and metaphysics, drawing, singing (opera), drumming, camping, arcade gaming, and wonder-seekin