Faculty

Introduction
I received my PhD degree from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2019, mainly engaged in molecular and cellular neuroscience, involving biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and neuroscience. My mainly focus is the molecular mechanisms of nervous system development and abnormality, including: (1) the effect of neuron-secreted proteins on glial cells; (2) the effect of neuroligin on autism; (3) The regulation of neuroligin and the effect of neuronal activity on synaptic development. During the university and postgraduate period, I have won many national scholarships, first-class scholarships and Hong Kong postgraduate scholarships. Now, I am a research associate in South University of Science and Technology.
Education
09/2016-09/2019: Doctor of Philosophy (full time)
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Division of Life
Science, Neuroscience, Clear Water Bay, HK
09/2014-08/2016: Master of Philosophy (full time)
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Division of Life
Science, Neuroscience, Clear Water Bay, HK
09/2010-06/2014: Bachelor’s Degree
SiChuan University, School of Life Science, Biology, ChenDu, China
Work Experience
2021.1-present: Research associate in South University of Science and Technology;
2019.11-2021.1: Postdoctor in HongKong University of Science and Technology
Honors and Awards
Postdoctoral fellowship at HKUST (2019-Present)
Postgraduate Scholarship at HKUST (2014-2019)
Outstanding Graduate Scholarship at Sichuan University (2014)
National Scholarship at Sichuan University (2011 & 2012)
The first Prized Scholarship at Sichuan University (2011-2013)
Research Interests
Molecular mechanism of neuron development
Representative publications
1, Li Z, Tian H, Xia J* Ubiquitination State of NL2 Regulates Inhibitory Synapse
Density. (In preparation for submit).
2, Li Z, Xia J*, Neuroligin2 undergoes activity-dependent cleavage. 2021 ( In
preparation for submit).
3, Li Z, Xia J*, PKA phosphorylation neuroligin2 regulates inhibitory synapses. 2021
( In preparation for submit).
4, He J, Xia M, Yeung PKK, Li J, Li Z, Chung KK, Chung SK, Xia J*(2018) PICK1
inhibits the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of Parkin and reduces its neuronal protective
effects. PNAS 115(30): E7193-E7201.