Wei Zheng

Professor, School of Health Sciences

Fellow, U.S. Academy of Toxicological Sciences
Former President, Int'l Society for Trace Element Research in Humans (2015-2021)
Former Head, School of Health Sciences (2008-2017)

Areas of Expertise

To explore mechanisms by which lead (Pb) exposure alters beta-amyloid transport by brain barrier systems and affects the homeostasis of beta-amyloid in the central milieu, leading to cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) in Alzheimer’s disease.
To explore mechanisms, biomarkers and chelation therapy of manganese (Mn)-induced Parkinsonian disorder, by using laboratory animal models, human cohorts and noninvasive technical assessment of cumulative Mn in human bones.
To explore the role of copper (Cu) in adult neurogenesis in subventricular zone (SVZ) and to understand how the choroid plexus in brain ventricles contributes to the regulation of adult neurogenesis in adjacent SVZ.
Transport of substances (metals, polypeptides, and drug molecules) by the blood-brain barrier and blood-CSF barrier.

HHS Signature Research Area(s)

Healthy Lifestyles and Vital Longevity

School of Health Sciences Research Area(s)

Toxicology

Biography

Dr. Wei Zheng started his academic career in New York City initially as an Assistant Professor (1993-2000) and later Associate Professor (2000-2003) in School of Public Health and College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University. He joined Purdue University in 2003 and became a Full Professor in 2006. Having served a decade as the former head of the School of Health Sciences (2008-2017), Dr. Zheng returned to his research on metal-induced neurodegenerative diseases and his passion to train students for their successes.

Dr. Zheng’s research focuses on contributions of the brain barrier systems, especially the blood-CSF barrier in the choroid plexus, in metal-induced neurodegenerative disorders. His major scientific contributions include: (1) his original research leading to the establishment of a new research field widely recognized as “Toxicology of Brain Barrier Systems”; (2) his translational research from the lab to human cohorts for biomarker discovery and clinical treatment of Mn-induced Parkinsonian disorder; (3) his original discovery of a distinct function of Pb in the formation of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Zheng’s research has been supported by continuous NIH R01 grants (since 1994), U.S. Department of Defense contracts, and other awards from pharmaceutical companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Eli Lilly.

Education

PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology, 1991, University of Arizona
MS in Pharmacology, 1984, Zhejiang University
BS in Pharmacy, 1981, Zhejiang University

Websites

Google Scholar

Current Courses

HSCI 101 - Introduction to Health Sciences Professions
HSCI 360 - Everyday Toxicology: Poisonings from Clinics to Courtrooms
HSCI 290 - Teaching Experience in Heath Sciences Professions

Selected Honors/Awards

Fellow, the U.S. Academy of Toxicological Sciences - 2016
Education Award, Society of Toxicology - 2021
Career Achievement Award, the Society of Toxicology Metals Specialty Section - 2015
Career Research Achievement Award, Purdue University/HHS - 2020
Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor Award, Purdue University/HHS - 2017

Selected Grants

Principal Investigator; Lead Exposure and Beta-Amyloid Transport by Brain Barriers. National Institute of Environmental Health (R01 ES027078). Period: 07/01/2017-06/30/2022. Total: $1,919,925.
Co-Investigator, Imaging Biomarkers of Neurotoxicity in Welders. National Institute on Aging (R01 AG021488). Brad Racette (PI). Period: 07/01/2021 - 06/30/2026. Total: $2,120,096.
Co-Investigator, The Pathogenic Role of Lead in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy and AD. National Institute on Aging (R21 AG067923). Yansheng Du and Paul Territo (MPI). Period: 02/01/2020 - 11/30/2022. Total: 446,443.
Principal Investigator; Development of a High Through-Put System for Study of Transport of Drugs across Brain Barriers. Johnson & Johnson Corp. (2003111191). Period: unlimited. Total: $255,000

Professional Affiliations

Member of Society of Toxicology since 1994. President of the Metals Specialty Section (2009-2010); Chair of the Board of Publication (2016-2019)
Member of International Society for Trace Elements Research in Humans (ISTERH). Vice President-Elect (2015), Vice President (2017), President (2019), Acting President (2021-2022). Chairman of the Int’l Scientific Committee for the 14th Conference in Aachen, GE (2022).
Founding member of American Association for Chinese in Toxicology (AACT), President (1991-1992)