Qihui Zhou

Dr. Qihui Zhou is a Group Leader within the Career Development Fellow Programme at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Munich and an ERC Starting Grant Awardee in 2023. Her research focuses on the role of peripheral immunity in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) associated with the C9orf72 mutation.

Her research interests center on neuro-immune interactions, specifically the function of brain-infiltrating T cells and their crosstalk with microglia and neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). Using cutting-edge techniques such as flow cytometry, cell culture models, and transgenic animal models, her lab investigates how neuroinflammation contributes to disease progression in ALS/FTD. Her work aims to uncover the neurotoxic potential of T cells and explore novel therapeutic strategies targeting immune pathways.

Dr. Zhou has been recognized with a prestigious ERC Starting Grant in 2023, highlighting the innovation and potential impact of her research. This award supports early-career scientists in launching independent research programs at the European level.

She leads an independent research group at DZNE Munich, where she mentors team members and drives forward a cutting-edge research agenda in neuroimmunology. Although no formal students are listed, her role as a group leader implies active supervision and collaboration within her team. Her work is supported by advanced research infrastructure including animal models and high-throughput immunological analysis.

Dr. Zhou's laboratory is embedded within DZNE's Fundamental Research division, focusing on the mechanistic underpinnings of neurodegenerative diseases. Her group collaborates across disciplines to integrate immunology, neuroscience, and translational medicine in the pursuit of understanding and treating ALS/FTD.