Zhi Yi Ong

Dr. Zhi Yi Ong is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where she conducts cutting-edge research on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying food intake control and addiction. With a PhD in Biomedical Science from the University of South Australia and undergraduate training from the University of Adelaide, she has established herself as a leading researcher in neural circuits, neuropeptide function, and gut-brain interactions.

Her research employs multi-level approaches in rodent models to investigate how neural circuits, neuropeptides, and gut-brain communication regulate feeding behaviors and addictive processes. Dr. Ong has made significant contributions to understanding the role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor signaling, oxytocin pathways, and various neuropeptides in reward processing and food motivation.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on the paraventricular thalamus, nucleus tractus solitarius, and ventral tegmental area as critical neural substrates for food intake regulation and reward processing. Her work bridges basic neuroscience with translational applications for obesity and addiction treatment, with particular emphasis on neural circuitry, intracellular signaling mechanisms, and gut-brain communication pathways.

Scientific Awards:

• Trainee Professional Development Award, Society for Neuroscience (2016)
• Harry R Kissileff Award for Best Oral Presentation, Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (2015)
• New Investigator Travel Award, Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (2015)
• Multiple Ross Wishart Memorial Award Finalist positions at Australian Society for Medical Research
• Various travel grants and bursaries supporting international conference participation

Dr. Ong has successfully secured substantial research funding including an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (2023-2026) investigating gut-brain control of cue-induced feeding behaviors, multiple ARC Discovery Projects, and NHMRC funding. She currently supervises PhD candidate Dana Kim and maintains an active research laboratory investigating the neural basis of feeding behavior and addiction.