Jian Zhou received his Ph.D. in biology from Texas A&M University in the lab of Dr. Paul Hardin. He then performed his postdoctoral studies in the lab of Dr. Huda Zoghbi at Baylor College of Medicine.

Jian Zhou is a Duncan NRI Zoghbi Scholar and an NIH/NINDS K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award recipient.

Outside the lab, Jian enjoys reading, hiking, and classical music.

Weilan is the lab manager and research specialist in Dr. Zhou's lab. Before joining Zhou Lab, Weilan worked in Dr. Jinhu Wang's lab at Emory as a technician. She combines her engineering background with a passion for molecular biology. Pleasure to explore the miraculous and beautiful molecular genetics.

Outside of work, she enjoys running and spending time with her two lovely daughters.

Yongji Wu received her Ph.D. in Basic Veterinary Medicine from Northwest A&F University in the lab of Dr. Shanting Zhao. She then continued her postdoc training on autism research in the lab of Dr. Liping Wang at Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Yongji is interested in the relationship between genes and background in ASD and the convergence and divergence pathways that are critical during brain development and disease pathogenesis.

Outside the lab, Yongji enjoys reading, listening to music, and exercising.

Gaea Dominguez is a PhD student in the GMB Program at Emory University. She received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Massachusetts Boston in 2023. During her undergraduate studies, she discovered her passion for developmental biology through her time in Dr. Kellee Siegfried’s lab. Gaea’s research interests include investigating the dynamic genetic and epigenetic landscapes during organismal development, especially in the context of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.

Outside the lab, Gaea enjoys spending time with her cats (Momo and Coco), experimenting with various arts and crafts, playing video games, fishing, and hiking.

Kevin Fuentes is a PhD student in the NS Program at Emory University. He received his B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience from Lehigh University in 2022. During his undergraduate studies, he discovered his passion for neurological disorders through his time in Dr. Neal Simon’s lab. Following graduation, Kevin completed a post-bac at NIH, working alongside Dr. Diana Bianchi and Dr. Laura Baxter on establishing an in vitro model system using Neural Progenitor Cells (NPC) to identify safe and effective drugs for trisomy 21 (T21). Kevin’s research interests include investigating the molecular changes occurring in the brain, especially in neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASDs.

Outside the lab, Kevin enjoys cooking with friends, participating in soccer and tennis, and hosting movie nights with friends!

Caitlin is an Emory neuroscience graduate student currently rotating in Dr. Zhou’s lab. Prior to Emory, she received her undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech, where she studied peripheral nerve injury and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. To that end, she is interested in learning more about the genetic and cellular underpinnings of neurological disorders, such as autism.

Outside of lab, Caitlin enjoys hiking, traveling, and cooking.

Aranis is a PhD student in the Neuroscience program at Emory University. Prior to Emory, she received her B.S. In Biology at the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2022. During her undergraduate studies, she discovered her passion for research in the lab of Dr. Jenny Hsieh, where she made 3D brain organoids from ​patient derived- induced pluripotent stem cells to study SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism. Aranis' research interests include using omics approaches to better understand the epigenetic and genetic underpinnings of neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders, like autism and schizophrenia.

Outside of lab, Aranis enjoys hiking, reading, and trying out new restaurants!

Bryan is an undergraduate student at Emory, majoring in Chemistry, and joined the Zhou lab as an undergraduate research assistant. Bryan wants to learn more about biochemistry and its relationship to human diseases, perticularly the function of TCF20/PHF14 complex in brain development.

Outside the lab, Bryan enjoys playing soccer and outdoor activities.

Livia is an undergraduate student majoring in biology at Emory, and she joined the Zhou lab as an undergraduate research assistant. With a passion in medicine and healthcare, Livia is also interested in studying the genetic basis and the neurodevelopmental aspects that gives rise to various health conditions in diseases.

Outside of the lab, Livia enjoys singing, listening to music, and playing badminton.

Eskender is an undergraduate student at Emory majoring in Biology and minoring in German. He joined the Zhou lab as an undergraduate research assistant and is interested in the role of chromatin complexes in neuronal activity and their interaction with other proteins and cell factors. He wants to discover the molecular mechanisms behind ASD and what this might say about other neurodevelopmental disorders. Outside of the lab, Eskender likes learning languages, trying out new food, and watching sports.

Icey is an undergraduate student at Emory University majoring in Biology, and she joined the Zhou lab as an undergraduate research assistant. She is specifically interested in the neuron activity and brain development, including how activity dependent gene regulates brain function.

Outside the lab, Icey enjoys taking pictures, listening to music, and decorating room.

Amelia is an undergraduate student majoring in neuroscience and artificial intelligence, and she joined the Zhou lab as an undergraduate research assistant. She is interested in studying neurodevelopment disorders, neural networks, and the intersection of AI and healthcare.

Outside of the lab, Amelia enjoys playing violin, reading mystery novels, and writing.

Alena Sulaiman is currently enrolled as a freshman at Emory University, where she enjoys studying Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology. She joined the Zhou Lab as an undergraduate researcher to investigate the genotype-phenotype relationship of TCF20-associated disorder. She is passionate about research on neurodevelopmental disorders and making an influential impact.

Outside of lab, Alena can be found spending her time playing piano or walking at Lullwater park with friends.