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Ben Zhang

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Ben Zhang

Research Consultant

Ben Zhang is a researcher interested in structural neuroimaging methodologies and their application to the study of consciousness, meditation, psychedelics, and cognitive decline. He enjoys working with tools like MRI, DTI, and EEG to investigate how changes in brain structure and activity relate to subjective experience and long-term brain health. In his free time, he enjoys going to the gym, reading philosophy, and playing video games.

Undergraduate

UCLA: BA in Cognitive Science & BS in Economics

Publications
  • Zhang B, Schnakers C, Wang K, Wang J, Lee S, Millan H, Howard M, Rosario E, Zheng ZS. (2025). Infratentorial white matter integrity as a potential biomarker for post-stroke aphasia. Brain Communications, fcaf174 https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcaf174
  • Schoeller F, Zhang B, Garcia T, & Reggente N. (2025). There is no such thing as interoception. Frontiers in Psychology, 16 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1488415
  • Zheng ZS, Wang J, Lee S, Wang K, Zhang B, Howard M, Rosario E, Schnakers C. (2025). Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation improves quality of life in individuals with chronic poststroke aphasia. Sci Rep 15, 6898 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90927-y
  • Schoeller F, Horowitz AH, Jain A, … Zhang B, … Friston K. (2024). Interoceptive technologies for psychiatric interventions: From diagnosis to clinical applications. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 156, Article 105478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105478
Skills
DTI 85%
EEG 60%
MRI Operator 80%
Statistics 75%
Your ideal research study

My ideal research study would be investigating longitudinal changes in white matter microstructure following sustained meditation practice in previously non-meditating individuals.

What drew you to consciousness

I used to read a lot of Stoic/Buddhist philosophy to try and keep a level head while playing League of Legends- that plus the psychedelic experience was what brought me in this direction.

Hobbies

Gym, reading about philosophy (currently Camus), exploring nature, video games, also I have 3 cats

Contact Via Email

info@xyz.com

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