Zizheng Xian

I am an early-career researcher with a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Queensland, specializing in biomedical imaging, neuroimmunology, and neurodegeneration. I have expertise in fluorescence and confocal microscopy, imaging analysis, and computational data processing using Python and R. My research integrates imaging with biological datasets to investigate neuroinflammatory mechanisms in Parkinson's disease. With experience in machine learning applications, multidisciplinary collaborations, and project management, I am eager to contribute my skills to this exciting opportunity.

• Mentorship Project – University of Queensland Neurology Society, 05/01/24, Project Manager, Led a 3-week mentorship program supporting 30 undergraduate students in planning their research careers., Provided guidance on individual research projects.
• Article Club – University of Queensland Neurology Society, Coordinator & Presenter, Organized 3 educational sessions on reading and critically analyzing scientific literature., Delivered 1.5-hour presentations to a total of 50 participants.
• Bridging the Clinic to Research: MND Conference, 09/01/24, Project Manager, Collaborated with SPAM-QBI to organize a conference on motor neuron disease research., Raised $1,000 in funding and gathered 50+ participants.

• In Progress, Xian, Z. et al. (2025). Alpha-Synuclein Interplay in the Pre-Disease Phase of Parkinson’s Disease. Journal of Neurology.
• In Progress, Xian, Z. et al. (2025). The Killing Mechanisms of Oritavancin Against Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (VRSA). Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.
• In Progress, Parkison, R., Xian, Z. et al. (2024)Alpha-Synuclein Induced Immune Response Triggers Parkinson’s Disease-Like Symptoms. BioRxiv.

• 6th Visegrad Symposium on Structural Systems Biology, 06/01/16, Warsaw, Poland, Poster Presentation, Mathematical Representation of Side Chain Orientation in Serine Diamide.
• Australasian Neuroscience Society (ANS) 40th Scientific Meeting, 12/01/22, Melbourne, Australia, Poster Presentation, Functional Metagenomics Profiling of Gut Dysbiosis in Parkinson’s Disease.
• Australasian Human Microbiome Research Network, 12/01/22, Melbourne, Australia, Oral Presentation (3-min lightning talk), Better Sooner than Later, Second Best Presentation
• 6th World Parkinson Congress, 07/01/23, Barcelona, Spain, Poster Presentation, Elevated Trimethylamine (TMA) from Gut Microbiota Drives Synuclein Pathology and Immune Activation in Parkinson’s Disease.

Immune T Cell-Alpha-Synuclein Interactions in Parkinson’s Disease Ontogenesis, 05/01/23

• University of Queensland, Dr. Nathalie Dehorter
• Investigating the autoimmune mechanisms underlying Parkinson’s disease (PD) using an immunologically activated C57BL/6 mouse model injected with α-synuclein peptides., Studying α-synuclein-specific CD4+ T-cell migration and activation in the central nervous system (CNS) to understand neuronal death mechanisms., Aim: Identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets for early intervention in PD.

Gut Microbiota Metabolism and Parkinson’s Disease Progression, 01/01/22 - 05/31/23

• University of Queensland, A/Prof. Richard Gordon, A/Prof. John O'Sullivan
• Investigated the role of gut-derived trimethylamine (TMA) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) progression, focusing on its potential neurotoxic effects. Examined the expression and activation of trace amine-associated receptor 5 (TAAR5) in response to TMA, exploring its hypothesized contribution to neuroinflammation, synuclein pathology, and disease progression. This study aimed to elucidate the gut-brain axis mechanisms in PD and identify potential therapeutic targets for early intervention.

The Killing Mechanism of Oritavancin Against MRSA: A Metabolomics Study, 04/01/19 - 05/31/21

• University of Melbourne & Monash University, Prof. Tony Velkov, Prof. Jian Li
• Utilized untargeted metabolomics to investigate Oritavancin’s antibacterial effects against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), analyzing metabolic alterations induced by the antibiotic. Explored bacterial killing mechanisms, focusing on disruptions in cell wall synthesis, energy metabolism, and stress response pathways. Additionally, examined MRSA resistance mechanisms to lipoglycopeptide antibiotics, identifying potential adaptive responses and molecular targets for improving antibiotic efficacy.

Influence of Polymer Properties on Drug Dissolution Profiles, 09/01/17-03/31/18

• University of Toronto, Prof. Ping Lee
• Conducted kinetic dissolution studies using a rotating disk platform to examine the effects of polymer molecular weight on drug-release mechanisms in supersaturating solid dispersion formulations. Evaluated the influence of fast and slow crystallizers on dissolution rates, stability, and bioavailability. Investigated in vitro absorption kinetics to understand drug-polymer interactions and optimize controlled-release formulations for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

Mathematical Representation of Side Chain Orientation in Serine Diamide, 05/01/16-07/31/16

• University of Toronto, Prof. Imre G. Csizmadia
• Developed a MatLab-based computational model to analyze serine’s free energy changes by simulating side chain dihedral angle rotations. Constructed a four-dimensional energy surface for serine in the gas phase to examine its conformational dynamics and potential influence on protein folding mechanisms. This study provided key insights into the stability, transition states, and energy landscapes of serine, contributing to a deeper understanding of protein structure, folding behavior, and molecular interactions.

• Victoria College Scholarship 2014
• Award: $2000 CAD
• Australasian Human Microbiome Research Network 2022 Oral Presentation:
• Award: Second Best Presentation
• 3-min thesis QBI 2023 Oral Presentation
• Award: People's choice
• Shake it Up Australia Foundation Foundation travel award - World Parkinson's congress 2023
• Award: $3000 travel award
• QBI travel award - AD/PD™ 2025 Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Diseases Conference 2025
• Award: $3500 Travel award