Han Zhao
About me
Hi! I'm a first year PhD student, working under the supervision of Professors Yulia TimofeevaLink opens in a new window (DCS, Warwick) and Kirill VolynskiLink opens in a new window (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). As such, I also hold a visiting researcher position at UCL. Our research lies in neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity in excitatory neurons in the brain.
Before this, I did my MPhys in Physics at Warwick, and my master's research was on the cooling of white dwarf stars.
Research Interests
My research focuses on the way information is transferred between neurons in the brain. Specifically, I focus on the analysis of quantal neurotransmitter release (quantised in little sacs called 'vesicles'). Our lab in UCL uses a construct called iGluSnFRLink opens in a new window which binds glutamate (a neurotransmitter) and fluoresces when it does so. This allows us to image release with high spatio-temporal resolution, at the level of individual synapes (see below).
Teaching
I've been a TA for the following modules: