The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology welcomed Rui Zhang, Ph.D., to the faculty as an assistant professor in February 2025.
Before joining UAB, Zhang earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Marburg and completed her Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience at the Technical University of Dresden in Germany.
She furthered her training with a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health under the guidance of Nora Volkow, M.D. As a clinical neuroscientist, her research centers on investigating how sleep impacts the brains of individuals dealing with substance use and other psychiatric disorders, employing a multimodal imaging methodology.
Zhang shares her passion for exploring how sleep and circadian rhythms influence addiction, learning, and emotional well-being.
What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
Zhang: My passion for understanding how the brain works started very early. From a young age, I was fascinated by the diversity of human thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and wondered whether we could alleviate human suffering by understanding these differences. When I discovered that these variations might be rooted in the brain—the most complex organ—I became deeply intrigued and wanted to learn more, leading me to study psychology.
My interest in sleep, admittedly, began from a personal need. Moving to a new country and learning a different language presented significant challenges, prompting me to find more efficient ways to help absorb information. This is when I first learned the role of sleep in learning and emotional well-being. I was captivated by the idea that the brain is never truly “off,” and that sleep shapes our cognitive and emotional states. Since then, I have developed a strong research interest in understanding the intricate relationship between sleep and the brain, and whether we can harness this often-overlooked time to enhance brain function and well-being.
What is your primary area of expertise within your field, and what sparked your passion for it?
Zhang: As a trained clinical neuroscientist, my research explores the role of sleep and circadian rhythms in addiction from a neurobiological perspective. Using a multimodal imaging approach (EEG, MRI, PET, and MRS), I investigate the brain mechanisms underlying the complex relationship between sleep and drug use at molecular, structural, and functional levels. Sleep disruptions are prevalent across psychiatric disorders yet remain an underexplored area. I am deeply motivated to advance this research and translate insights into therapeutic interventions.
What aspects of your new role here are you most excited about?
Zhang: I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to work in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment at UAB. Engaging with colleagues in neuroscience, sleep, and addiction research will be invaluable in advancing our understanding of how sleep disruptions contribute to brain dysfunction in addiction.
Additionally, the department has a very strong background in translational research. I find the chance to interact and collaborate with clinicians in the department very compelling. This will not only help identify research questions that are directly important to patients but also promote the translation of findings into new treatment strategies.
What are your goals for making an impact through both your teaching and research in this role?
Zhang: At UAB, I see a tremendous opportunity to contribute to both the academic development of students and the advancement of cutting-edge research. As a principal investigator, it is crucial to nurture the next generation of researchers and clinicians, equipping them with the tools to make meaningful contributions to the field. This process is both fulfilling and essential. I believe that effective teaching and mentoring should be personalized to meet the unique needs of everyone, offering guidance and support while helping students navigate their career paths and develop their own independence.
In terms of research, my goal is to develop personalized sleep interventions to prevent and treat substance use and other psychiatric disorders. To achieve this, it is essential to deepen our mechanistic understanding of sleep and brain function, as well as to move from group-level insights to individualized approaches that can inform more precise and effective treatment.