Zu Zhai
Assistant Professor of Neuroscience
- Office
- McCardell Bicen Hall 314
- Tel
- (802) 443-5842
- zuweiz@middlebury.edu
- Office Hours
- Fall 2026:MW at 11am-12pm, and W at 4:30-5:30pm.
Zu Wei Zhai is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Middlebury College. He joined the Middlebury faculty in 2017 after completing his NIDA T32 post-doctoral training in the Department of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine. He received his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh in 2015 and his BA in Neuroscience from Middlebury College in 2007.
The Zhai lab focuses on the relationships between childhood adversity, neurocognitive development of self-regulation abilities, and the risk for substance and behavioral addictions. The interdisciplinary research combines methods in statistical modeling, epidemiology, and neuroimaging to understand addiction liability and underlying neural correlates of self-regulation. The Zhai lab also uses longitudinal and cross-sectional data from at-risk youth and their families to identify psycho-social factors that may be used to improve prevention.
Courses Taught
NSCI 0210
Neuroeconomics
Course Description
Neuroeconomics
Neuroscience, when combined with economics and psychology, creates new models that help us understand how we make decisions. Our goal is to begin exploring the biological factors that lead to behavioral economic phenomena and answer important questions like: What makes us cooperate even with strangers? Why do we buy lottery tickets knowing we almost certainly will lose our money? In this course, we will examine the neural basis of strategic choice, trust and competition, motivations, neurorepresentations of reward and value, and evolution of irrational economic behavior. Major concepts will be presented with examples from human brain-imaging studies (fMRI, EEG) and animal behavioral models. (BIOL0145 or PSYC0105 or CHEM0103 or equivalent) (open to seniors by approval only)
Terms Taught
Requirements
NSCI 0252
Behavioral Neuroscience
Course Description
Fundamentals of Behavioral Neuroscience
Behavioral neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field that combines approaches and knowledge from psychology, biology, and chemistry to further our understanding of human and non-human animal behavior. In this course, you will study the interrelationships among elements of the nervous systems, co-functioning bodily systems, and behavioral output such as emotions, sex, memory, consciousness, sleep, and language. You will be given an opportunity to apply your knowledge from NSCI 0251 of the nervous system at the micro and macro levels and will revisit the basic concepts of behavioral genetics and psychopharmacology. This cumulative knowledge base will serve as your foundation for advanced study of neural systems and their relative roles in progressively more complex behaviors such as basic reflexes, motivation, rational thought, neural disorders, and therapeutic efficacy. (PSYC 0105 and NSCI 0251; open to NSCI majors only, others by approval) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. lab.
Terms Taught
Requirements
NSCI 0317
Current
Biobehavioral Addiction
Course Description
Biobehavioral Addiction
Addiction is a pervasive disorder affecting society on a global scale. To understand this complex disorder, addictions are studied from the basic neural mechanisms, such as how neurons respond to addictive substances, to psychological factors and how they protect or increase risk. In this course we will examine the principles of substance addictions, emerging behavioral addictions (internet/gaming, problem-gambling), and underlying mechanisms that drive addiction. Topics include neural pathways of addictive substances, brain functional and structural changes, theories of motivation, neuropsychological risk factors, and modern prevention and treatment. Psychology and neuroscience students will bring their relative expertise to the class for thoughtful review of the literature.(PSYC 0226 or BIOL 0145; not open to first year students; open to psychology and neuroscience majors; others by waiver) 3 hrs. lect.
Terms Taught
Requirements
NSCI 0320
Clinical Neuroscience
Course Description
Clinical Neuroscience
In this course we will examine human and animal models of clinical problems of the nervous system to understand their underlying causes and emerging treatments. Readings and discussions will include foundational writings and primary literature on cutting-edge medical research in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinsonism, dementias, mood disorders, and epilepsy, as well as regenerative medicine and deep brain stimulation. Students will lead in-depth class discussions, design their own research synthesis projects, and present on their conclusions on recent ground-breaking findings in the field. (NSCI 0251; open to neuroscience majors; others by waiver).
Terms Taught
Requirements
NSCI 0500
Current
Upcoming
Independent Research
Course Description
Independent Research
Students enrolled in NSCI 0500 complete individual research projects involving laboratory or extensive library study on a topic chosen by the student and approved in advance by a NSCI faculty advisor. This course is not open to seniors; seniors should enroll in NSCI 0700. (Approval required)
Terms Taught
NSCI 0700
Current
Upcoming
Senior Research
Course Description
Senior Research
This course is for senior NSCI majors who plan to conduct one or more semesters of independent research, or who plan to complete preparatory work toward a senior thesis, such as researching and writing a thesis proposal as well as, if appropriate, collecting data that will form the basis for a senior thesis. Senior NSCI majors who plan to complete a senior thesis should register initially for NSCI 0700. Additional requirements may include participation in weekly meetings with advisors and/or lab groups and attending neuroscience seminars. (Approval required, open to seniors only)
Terms Taught
NSCI 0701
Current
Upcoming
Senior Thesis
Course Description
Senior Thesis
Senior NSCI majors who have completed one or more terms of NSCI 0700, who have a GPA of 3.3 in their major courses, and who plan to complete a senior thesis should register for NSCI 0701 for the final semester of the senior thesis process. Students enrolled in NSCI 0701 write a thesis, give a public presentation of their research, and present an oral defense of the thesis before a committee of at least three faculty members, two of which must be affiliates of the Neuroscience Program. Faculty may recommend High honors in Neuroscience after considering the quality of these components of a student’s thesis and the student’s GPA in major courses. Additional requirements may include participation in weekly meetings with advisors and/or lab groups and attending neuroscience seminars. (NSCI 0700, Approval required)
Terms Taught
PSYC 0317
Biobehavioral Addiction
Course Description
Biobehavioral Addiction
Addiction is a pervasive disorder affecting society on a global scale. To understand this complex disorder, addictions are studied from the basic neural mechanisms, such as how neurons respond to addictive substances, to psychological factors and how they protect or increase risk. In this course we will examine the principles of substance addictions, emerging behavioral addictions (internet/gaming, problem-gambling), and underlying mechanisms that drive addiction. Topics include neural pathways of addictive substances, brain functional and structural changes, theories of motivation, neuropsychological risk factors, and modern prevention and treatment. Psychology and neuroscience students will bring their relative expertise to the class for thoughtful review of the literature. (PSYC 0105 or BIOL 0145; not open to first year students; open to psychology and neuroscience majors; others by waiver) 3 hrs. lect.
Terms Taught
Requirements
PSYC 0350
Upcoming
Directed Research
Course Description
Directed Research in Psychology
Directed research provides opportunities for advanced students to become familiar with and participate in ongoing research projects under the direction of a faculty member. The student will first read background literature on the content area to be investigated and experimental methodologies to be used. Procedures involved in conducting psychological research will then be learned through firsthand experience. Potential activities include the design of research and the defining of conceptual variables and the gathering, analyzing, and interpretation of data. Finally, students will learn how to write technical articles in psychology by preparing a paper describing the project, using APA style. (Approval required; not open to first-year students) 3 hrs. lect.
Terms Taught
PSYC 0500
Current
Upcoming
Advanced Research
Course Description
Advanced Research
A program of research arranged to meet the needs of advanced students majoring in psychology. (Approval required)
Terms Taught
PSYC 0700
Current
Upcoming
Senior Research
Course Description
Senior Research
A program of research arranged to meet the needs of advanced senior majors in psychology. (PSYC 0201 and PSYC 0202; Approval required)
Terms Taught
PSYC 0701
Current
Upcoming
Senior Thesis Proposal
Course Description
Senior Thesis Proposal
Students hoping to be considered as candidates for departmental honors must enroll in PSYC 0701 under the sponsorship of a department faculty member. Their semester’s work will culminate in the submission of a formal, written research proposal by the due date as specified by the department. If the proposal is approved, the student will enroll in PSYC 0702 during the winter term and PSYC 0703 during the spring term of their senior year. (Feb graduates should consult with their advisors about the appropriate semester in which to begin a thesis.) (PSYC 0201 and PSYC 0202; Approval required)
Terms Taught
PSYC 0702
Current
Upcoming
Senior Thesis Second Semester
Course Description
Senior Thesis Second Semester
Students whose honors thesis proposal (PSYC 0701) has been approved will collect, analyze, and interpret their data. This is the second semester of the 3-semester senior thesis. (PSYC 0201, PSYC 0202, and PSYC 0701; Approval required)
Terms Taught
PSYC 0703
Current
Upcoming
Senior Thesis
Course Description
Senior Thesis*
This is the third and final semester of the senior thesis. Students will finish analyzing and interpreting their data. This process culminates in a written thesis to be submitted by the due date as specified by the department, a presentation, and an oral defense. The decision about awarding departmental honors will be made after the student submits the thesis. (PSYC 0201, PSYC 0202, and PSYC 0702; Approval required)
Terms Taught
Publications
*Smith, C. E, *Luster, C. B., *Kimmel, S. Reynolds, M., & Zhai, Z. W. (Accepted). Substance use involvement moderates the effect of cortisol response on white-matter microstructure longitudinally. Dialogues Clin Neurosci.
*Luster, C. B., Morie, K. P., *Legido, J., Mayes L. C., Potenza, M. N., Zhai, Z. W. (2026). Alexithymia mediates white-matter microstructure and substance use escalation in trauma-exposed individuals. J Affect Disord, 413, 122185.
*Sirek, G., Stefanovics, E. A., *Iyer, R., Potenza, M. N., Zhai, Z. W. (2025). The relationship of early use of marijuana with substance use and violence in adolescent gamblers and non-gamblers. J Korean Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 36, 89-105.
Stefanovics, E. A., Zhai, Z. W., Potenza, M. N. (2025). Gambling in Connecticut adolescents: Prevalence, socio-demographic characteristics, trauma exposure, suicidality, and other risk behaviors. PLOSOne, 20, e0290589.
McCurdy, L. Y., De Vito, E. E., Loya, J. M., Nich, C., Zhai, Z. W., Kiluk, B. D., Potenza, M. N. (2024). Structural brain changes associated with cocaine use and digital cognitive behavioral therapy in cocaine use disorder treatment. Drug Alcohol Depend Rep, 11, 100246.
Rostam-Abadi, Y., Stefanovics, E. A., Zhai, Z. W., Potenza, M. N. (2024). An exploratory study of the prevalence and adverse associations of in-school traditional bulling and cyberbullying among adolescents in Connecticut. J Psychiatr Res, 173, 372-380.
Jalilian-Khave, L., Stefanovics, E. A., Zhai, Z. W., Potenza, M. N. (2024). An exploratory study of prescription pain medication misuse with and without heroin use among adolescents: Associations with mental health and substance use measures. SUCHT, 70, 87-96.
McCurdy, L. Y., Yip, S. W., Worhunsky, P. D., Zhai, Z. W., Kim, S., Strathearn, L., Potenza, M. N., Mayes, L. C., Rutherford, H. J., V. (2024). Neural correlates of altered emotional responsivity to infant stimuli in mothers who use substances. J Psychiatr Res, 171, 126-133.
Morie, K. P., Zhai, Z. W., Crowley, M. J., Potenza, M. N., Mayes, L. C. (2023). Relationships between prenatal cocaine exposure, cannabis-use onset and emotional and related characteristics in young/emerging adults. Subst Use and Misuse, 59, 388-397.
Stefanovics, E. A., Gueorguieva, R. Zhai, Z.W., Potenza, M.N. (2003) Gambling participation among Connecticut adolescents from 2007 to 2019: Potential risk and protective factors. J Behav Addict, 12, 490-499.
Reynolds, M., Kirisci, L., Zhai, Z. W., Tarter, R., (2023). Substance use disorder is the outcome of deviant socialization: A prospective investigation spanning childhood to adulthood. Pharmacol Biochem Behav, 227-228.
Debnath, P. R., Islam, M. S., Karmakar, P. K., Sarker, R., Zhai, Z. W., & Potenza, M. N. (2023). Mental Health concerns, insomnia and loneliness among intern doctors amidst the COIVD-19 pandemic: Evidence from a large tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. Int J Ment Health Addict, 21, 1799-1819.
Greenberg, N.R., Zhai, Z. W., Hoff, R. A., Krishnan-Sarin, S., & Potenza, M. N. (2022). Difficulties in impulse control in adolescents with problematic use of the internet and self-injurious behaviors. Psychiatry Res, 317, 114919.
Banik, R., Islam, M. S., Ahmed, M., Mubarak, M., Rahman, M., Zhai, Z. W., Sikder, M. T., & Potenza, M. N. (2022). General psychiatric symptoms among Bangladeshi people approximately one year after the onset of the COIVD-19 pandemic. BMC Psychiatry, 22(1), 615.
Greenberg, N.R., Zhai, Z. W., Hoff, R. A., Krishnan-Sarin, S., & Potenza, M. N. (2022). An exploratory study of problematic shopping and problematic video gaming in adolescents. PLOSOne, 17, e0272228.
Farhat, L. C., Zhai, Z. W., Hoff, R. A., Krishnan-Sarin, S., Potenza, M. N. (2022). An exploratory study of shopping to relieve tension or anxiety in adolescents: Health correlates and gambling-related perceptions and behavior. Int. J Environ Res Public Health, 19, 6169.
*Cardwell, E., Hoff, R. A., Garakani, A., Krishnan-Sarin, S., Potenza, M.N., & Zhai, Z. W. (2022). An exploratory study of anxiety-motivated gambling in adolescents: Associations with minority status and gambling, health and functioning measures. J Psychiatr Res, 151, 445-453.
Sartor, C. E., Ye, F. Simon, P. Zhai, Z. W., Hipwell, A. E., & Chung, T. (2022). Cross-substance patterns of alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use initiation in black and white adolescent girls. Prev Med, 156, 106979.
Zhai, Z. W., Hoff, R. A., *Howell, J. C., Wampler, J., Krishnan-Sarin, S., & Potenza, M. N. (2021). Lottery-purchasing adolescents: Gambling perceptions, problems, and characteristics. J Gambl Stud, 37, 1177-1195.
Garakani, A., Zhai, Z. W., Hoff, R. A., Krishnan-Sarin, S., & Potenza, M. N. (2021). Gaming to relieve tension or anxiety and associations with health functioning, substance use and physical violence in high school students. J Psychiatr Res, 140, 461-467.
Worhunsky, P. D., Angarita, G. A., Zhai, Z. W., Matuskey, D., Gallezot, J. D., Malison R. T., Carson, R. E., & Potenza, M. N. (2021). Multimodal investigation of dopamine D2/D3 receptors, default model network suppresion, and cognitive control in cocaine use disorder. Neuropscyhopharmacology, 46, 316-324.
Greenberg, N. R., Zhai, Z. W., Hoff, R. A., Krishnan-Sarin, S., & Potenza, M. N. (2020). Problematic shopping and self-injurious behaviors in adolescents. J Behav Addict, 9, 1068-1078.
Zhai, Z. W., *Duenas, G. L., Wampler, J., & Potenza, M. N. (2020). Gambling, substance use and violence in male and female adolescents. J Gambl Stud, 36, 1301-1324
Sartor, C. E., Ye, F. Simon, P., Zhai, Z. W., Hipwell, A. E., Chung, T. (2020). Youth perceptions of parental involvement and monitoring, discrepancies with parental perceptions, and their associations with first cigarette use in black and white girls. J Stud on Alcohol Drugs, 81, 180-189.
Morie, K. P., Zhai, Z. W., Potenza, M. N., & Mayes, L. C. (2020). Alexithymia, emotion regulation strategies, and traumatic experiences in prenatally cocaine-exposed young adults, Am. J. Addict, 29, 492-499.
Flayelle, M., Castro-Calvo, J., Vogele, C., Astur R., Ballester-Arnal, R., Challet-Bouju, G., Brand, M., Cardena, G., Devos, G., Elkholy, H., Grall-Bronnec, M., James, R.J.E., Jimenéz-Martinez, M., Valizadeh-Haghi, S., King, D., Liu, Y., Lochner, C., Steins-Loeber, S., Long, J., Potenza, M.N., Rahmatizadeh, S., Schimmenti, A., Stein, D.J., Tóth-Király, I., Tunney, R., Zhai, Z. W., Maurage, P., Billieux, J. (2020). Towards a cross-cultural assessment of binge-watching: Psychometric evaluation of the “Watching TV Series Motives” and “Binge-Watching Engagement and Symptoms” questionnaires across nine languages. Computers in Human Behavior, 111.
Zhai, Z. W., Hoff, R. A., *Howell, J. C., Wampler, J., Krishnan-Sarin, S., & Potenza, M. N. (2020). Differences in associations between problematic video-gaming, video-gaming duration, and weapon-related and physically violent behaviors in adolescents. J Psychiatr Res, 121, 47-55.
Zhai, Z. W., Hoff, R. A., *Magruder, C. F., Steinberg, M. A., Wampler, J., Krishnan-Sarin, S., & Potenza, M. N. (2019). Weapon-carrying is associated with more permissive gambling attitudes and perceptions and at-risk/problem gambling in adolescents. J Behav Addict, 8, 508-521.
Morie, K. P., Jackson, S., Zhai, Z. W., Potenza, M. N., & Dritschel, B. (2019). Mood disorders in high-functioning autism: The importance of alexithymia and emotion regulation. J Autism and Dev Disord, 49, 2935-2945.
Zhai, Z. W., Yip, S. W., Lacadie, C. M., Sinha, R., Mayes, L. C., & Potenza, M. N., (2019). Childhood trauma moderates inhibitory control and anterior cingulate cortex activation during stress. Neuroimage, 185, 111-118.
Zhai, Z. W., Yip, S. W., Morie, K. P., Mayes, L. C. Sinha, R., & Potenza, M. N. (2018). Substance-use initiation moderates the effect of stress on white-matter microstructure in adolescents. Am J Addiction, 27, 217-224.
Zhai, Z. W., Yip, S. W., Steinberg, M. A., Wampler, J., Hoff, R. A., Krishnan-Sarin, S., & Potenza, M. N. (2017). Relationship between perceived excessive family and peer gambling in adolescent problem gambling and binge-drinking. J Gambl Stud, 33, 1169-1185.
Canan, F., Karaca, S., Duzgun, M., Erdem, A. M., Karacayli E., Topan N. B., Lee, S. K., Zhai, Z. W., Kuoglu M., & Potenza, M. N. (2017). The relationship between second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratios and problematic and pathological internet use among Turkish university students. J Behav Addict, 6, 30-41.
Morie K. P., Yip, S. W, Zhai. Z. W., Sinha, R., Xu, J. Mayes, L. C., & Potenza, M. N. (2017). White-matter crossing-fiber microstructure in adolescents prenatally exposed to cocaine. Drug Alcohol Depend, 174, 23-29
Zhai, Z. W., Pajteck, S., Luna, B., Geier, C. F., Ridenour, T. A., & Clark, D. B. (2015). Reward modulated response inhibition, cognitive shifting and the orbital frontal cortex in early adolescence. J Res Adolesc, 25, 753-764
Tarter, R. E., Kirisci, L., Reynolds, M. D., Horner, M., Zhai, Z. W., Gathuru, I., & Vanyukov, M. M. (2015). Chasing the dragon: Association between transmissible risk, affect during drug use and development of substance use disorder. J Addict Med, 9, 464-469.
Ridenour, T. A., Willis, D., Bogen, D., Novak, S., Scherer, J., Reynolds, M. D., Zhai, Z. W., & Tarter, R. E. (2015). Detecting initiation or risk for initiating substance use before high school during pediatric well-child check-ups. Drug Alcohol Depend, 150, 54-62.
Zhai, Z. W., Kirisci, L., Tarter, R. E, & Ridenour, T. A. (2014). Psychological dysregulation mediates the association between quality of parent-child attachment and development of substance use disorder. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse, 40, 67-74.
Riggs, N. R., Tate, E. B., Ridenour, T. A, Reynolds, M. D., Zhai Z. W., Vanyukov, M. M., & Tarter, R. E. (2013). Longitudinal associations from neurobehavioral disinhibition to adolescent risky sexual behavior in boys: Direct and mediated effects through moderate alcohol consumption. J Adoles Health, 53, 465-70.
Clark, D. B, Chung, T., Pajteck, S., Zhai, Z., Long, E., & Hasler, B. (2013). Neuroimaging methods for adolescent substance use disorder prevention science. Prev Sci, 14, 300-309.
Ridenour, T. A., Reynolds, M. D., Ahlqvist, O., Zhai, Z. W., Kirisci, L., Vanyukov, M. M., & Tarter, R. E. (2013). High and low neurobehavior disinhibition clusters within locales: Implications for community efforts to prevent substance use disorder. Am J Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 39, 194-203
Kirisci, L., Tarter, R. E., Ridenour, T. A., Zhai, Z. W., Fishbein, D., Reynolds, M. D., & Vanyukov, M. M. (2013). Age of alcohol and cannabis use onset mediates the association of transmissible risk in childhood and development of alcohol and cannabis disorders: Evidence for common liability. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol, 21, 38-45.
Wang, X. B., Bozdagi, O., Nikitczuk, J., Zhai, Z. W., Zhou, Q., & Huntley, G. W. (2008). Extracellular proteolysis by matrix metalloproteinase-9 drives dendritic spine enlargement and long-term potentiation coordinately. PNAS, 105, 19520-19525.
Invited Book Chapters
Yip, S. W., Zhai, Z. W., Balodis, I. M., & Potenza, M. N. (2019). Positive valence disturbances in gambling disorder. In J. Gruber (Ed.), Oxford Handbook of Positive Emotion and Psychopathology (pp.367-379). New York: Oxford University Press.
Invited Presentations
Zhai, Z. W. (October, 2024). Brain white-matter, childhood trauma and substance use. Vermont State University-Johnson Science Colloquium, Johnson, VT.
Zhai, Z. W. (May, 2024). Weapons carrying and problem gambling in adolescents. Massachusetts Gambling Commission Conference, Worcester, MA.
Zhai, Z. W. (October, 2023). Lottery-purchasing adolescents: Gambling perceptions, problems, and characteristics. International Center for Responsible Gaming 24th Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV.
Select Refereed Presentations
*Vaghmare, V., Reynolds, M. D., & Zhai, Z. W. (May, 2026). Substance use moderates the effects of mothers’ potential abuse of children on white-matter. American Psychiatric Association 2026 Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA.
*Larocque, S., Potenza, M. N., & Zhai, Z. W. (October, 2025). Violence victimization, alcohol use, and gambling among adolescents stratified by depression/dysphoria before vs. during the Covid-19 pandemic. International Center for Responsible Gaming 26th Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV.
*Martin O. R., *Legido, J., *Smith C. E., & Zhai, Z. W. (April, 2025). Maternal attachment moderates effects of substance use on white-matter microstructure. American Society of Addiction Medicine 56th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO.
*Smith, C. E., *Luster, C. B., *Kimmel, S., & Zhai, Z. W. (May, 2023). Substance-use severity moderates the effect of cortisol response on white-matter microstructure longitudinally. Society for Prevention Research 31st Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.
Zhai, Z. W., Hoff, R. A., *Magruder, C. F., Steinberg, M. A., Wampler, J., Krishnan-Sarin, S., & Potenza. (June, 2019). Weapon-carrying is associated with more permissive gambling attitudes and perceptions and at-risk/problem gambling in adolescents. Society for Prevention Research 27th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA.
Zhai, Z. W. (June, 2018). The moderating role of childhood trauma on anterior cingulate reactivity. Society for Prevention Research 26th Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
*Denotes Middlebury College Student