Rui Tao

Rui Tao is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Science at Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. He earned his D.V.M. from Anhui Agricultural College (1984), M.Sc. from Beijing Agricultural University (1987), and Ph.D. in Physiology and Neurobiology from Rutgers University/University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (2000). His academic appointments include roles at Harvard Medical School and the University of Miami, with continuous affiliation at FAU since 2004.

Dr. Tao's research explores neurotransmitter dynamics in affective disorders and addiction, with emphasis on:

• Pharmacology of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in midbrain raphe circuits
• Opioidergic system physiology and its interaction with 5-HT pathways
• GABA/glutamate roles in opioid addiction
• Exercise-induced neurochemical changes related to substance abuse

His investigations employ rodent models to map neural circuitry and therapeutic mechanisms.

His recent publications (2017–2025) demonstrate expanding focus on clinical applications, including neuroprotection strategies, oncology biomarkers, diabetic complications, and COVID-19 neuropathology. Article keywords frequently involve neuropharmacology, computational biology, and molecular diagnostics, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches to neurological and metabolic disorders.

No awards, student advisements, or grant details are documented in available sources. Laboratory affiliations remain unspecified.