Dr Yanfeng Zhang

Understanding how the brain learns to predict sensory inputs and respond rapidly to rewards or avoid punishment is a fundamental challenge in neuroscience. My research focuses on uncovering the cellular mechanisms underlying these learning processes, with a particular emphasis on dopamine, acetylcholine, and serotonin. These neurotransmitters play critical roles in reward-related learning and motor control, and their dysfunction is implicated in a range of disorders, including Parkinson’s disease.

I have made significant contributions to understanding the interactions between dopamine and acetylcholine systems and their impact on striatal function. My research demonstrated that pauses in cholinergic interneurons are driven by withdrawal of excitatory input and modulated by dopamine signalling (Zhang et al., Neuron, 2018). Furthermore, I revealed how top-down and bottom-up inputs are integrated into the firing patterns of cholinergic interneurons (Zhang† and Reynolds, Current Neuropharmacology, 2024). Additionally, I uncovered how cortical and thalamic inputs can trigger dopamine release ex vivo via cholinergic interneurons (Kosillo, Zhang et al., Cerebral Cortex, 2016). Critically, my work showed that pauses in striatal cholinergic interneurons define the time window for phasic dopamine to induce synaptic plasticity, while spiny projection neuron (SPN) depolarisation constrains plasticity to specific synapses (Reynolds, ..., Zhang†, Nature Communications, 2022).

More recently, I identified a novel mechanism by which cholinergic interneurons regulate dopamine release. By preventing depolarisation of dopamine axons, cholinergic interneurons dynamically dissociate dopamine release from dopaminergic somatic activity, profoundly and consistently depressing dopamine release  (Zhang† et al., Nature Neuroscience, 2025). This discovery challenges traditional models of dopamine function based primarily on dopamine somatic spike activity. Additionally, I am exploring the critical role of tonic dopamine activity in shaping phasic dopamine release in health and disease (Zhang et al., in prep).

In parallel, my work has shown how the superior colliculus regulates rapid phasic dopamine responses during visual classical conditioning (Zhang et al., BioRxiv, 2025). This research revealed the superior colliculus as a key structure for identifying the salience of visual cues, driving short-latency dopamine responses essential for learning.

I have also contributed to sensory neuroscience by collaborating with ENT surgeons to map sensory input from the vestibular and auditory systems across hippocampal subregions (Hitier*, Zhang* et al., Hearing Research, 2020; Hitier*, Zhang* et al., Hearing Research, 2021, cover story). These studies highlighted how sensory systems interface with hippocampal networks to influence spatial processing.

Collectively, these contributions have advanced our understanding of how neurotransmitter systems shape learning, motor control, and sensory processing. My work also lays the foundation for innovative therapeutic strategies for Parkinson’s disease and other dopamine-related disorders.

Qualifications:

• FHEA (with Dean’s Commendation)
• PhD
• PGDipSci (Distinction)
• BSc

We welcome enthusiastic postdoctoral researchers and students eager to explore the neural mechanisms of learning and memory in health and disease.

Postdoctoral Researchers and Technicians

If you are excited about tackling innovative and challenging projects using advanced technologies in a collaborative environment, we encourage you to get in touch. Experience in ex vivo or in vivo electrophysiology, electrochemistry, neurotransmitter sensor imaging, voltage sensor imaging, calcium imaging, or computational neuroscience would be advantageous.

PhD Students

Students interested in pursuing doctoral research within my group should apply through the University of Exeter's PhD programme.

Multiple PhD opportunities are available through the CSC programme. Application deadline midday 1 December 2025.

We now have a PhD studentship that is fully funded PhD studentship from SWBio. Deadline Wednesday 3 December 2025. 

Please contact me for further information about these opportunities.