Curriculum Vitae

Education

• PhD in Gerontology
  USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
  Aug 2024 – May 2029
• BS in Psychology (Hons)
  Experimental Class of Psychometrics Brilliant Talents, Jiangxi Normal University
  Sep 2017 – Jun 2021

Work Experience

• Research Assistant
  Emotion & Cognition Lab, USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
  Jul 2024 – May 2029
• Research Assistant (Statistician)
  Tu Lab, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
  Jun 2021 – Jun 2024
• Research Assistant
  Heart & Mind Lab, Department of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University
  Jul 2020 – Jun 2021

Publications

Ad hoc Journal Reviewer

• NeuroImage (Jun 2024 – Present)
• Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (May 2025 – Present)
• Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports (Jul 2025 – Present)

Patent

• Tu, Y., Zhao, W., & Wang, F. (2022). A method and system for decreasing EEG signal noise under the transcranial direct current stimulation. CN202210074914.7.

Conference & Poster

• Shuai, Y., Zhao, W., Dahl, M. J., Yoo, H. J., Nashiro, K., Cho, C., Kim, A. J., Nasseri, P., Min, J., Choi, P., Lee, H. R. J., Alemu, K., Ng, N. F., Thayer, J. F., & Mather, M. (2025, November 19). Neural efficiency in action: Participants with the most cortical volume reduction show the largest behavioral gains after 10 weeks task switching practice. PSTR434 – Age‑Related Alterations in Learning and Memory, Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, United States. Abstract #6625.

Invited Talks & Symposia

• Zhao, W. (2025). The effect of cognitive training on brain morphology in older adults. 2025 Geroscience Los Angeles Meeting (GLAM).

Academic Membership

• American Society on Aging — Mar 2025 – Present
• American Psychological Association — Aug 2025 – Present