Zhiqun Tan

Zhiqun Tan
Department of Neurology
University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, USA

Biography

Zhiqun Tan, M.D., Ph.D., is now an Associate Research Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of California Irvine School of Medicine. Dr. Tan received his M.D. from Tongji Medical University, B.Sc. in Biochemistry and Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from Wuhan University in China. He moved to the United States and started his studies in the field of neuroscience at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine in 1996. In 2002 he joined UCI faculty where he has been studying neuronal degeneration with an emphasis on Alzheimer’s disease (AD). He has authored in 35 research articles and has received several research awards related to Alzheimer’s studies.

Research Interest

His research is focused on using state-of-the-art imaging and molecular biology techniques to characterize pathological changes in the eye in AD as well as other brain disorders including neurovascular abnormalities. Establishment of a link between specific ocular changes and a brain disorder could identify a novel biomarker for diagnosis of the disease and assessment of response to treatment. He is also investigating the potential benefits of natural compounds derived from known herbal medicines as potential therapies for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.