Gao Research Lab Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog English English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Translation is unavailable for Internet Explorer Cedars-Sinai Home 1-800-CEDARS-1 1-800-CEDARS-1 Close Find a Doctor Locations Programs & Services Health Library Patient & Visitors Community My CS-Link RESEARCH clear Go Close Navigation Links Academics Faculty Development Community Engagement Calendar Research Research Areas Research Labs Departments & Institutes Find Clinical Trials Research Cores Research Administration Basic Science Research Clinical & Translational Research Center (CTRC) Technology & Innovations News & Breakthroughs Education Graduate Medical Education Continuing Medical Education Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Professional Training Programs Medical Students Campus Life Office of the Dean Simulation Center Medical Library Program in the History of Medicine About Us All Education Programs Departments & Institutes Faculty Directory Gao Lab The Gao Laboratory focuses on better understanding the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying normal/abnormal human brain development and adult brain functioning. We use advanced neuroimaging technologies (MR, PET, etc.) combined with biological, behavioral and neuropsychological testing to probe the central question of how our brain develops and functions under both normal and abnormal conditions. The ultimate goal of the Gao Laboratory is to foster better brain development and help cure brain disorders using imaging guidance. The Gao Laboratory is affiliated with the Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences and the Department of Academic Imaging. Personal Statement I was trained at the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. I was on the faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill before I came to Cedars-Sinai. My research is in the area of early brain development and adult brain functioning using advanced imaging techniques. In infant studies, we are currently interested in functional connectivity investigation of normal and abnormal brain growth trajectories for early identification of risks and intervention. In adult studies, we are interested in delineating the task-related dynamic reorganization of the brain under both normal and pathological conditions. Our research is supported by multiple NIH-funded projects and the Foundation of Hope for Research and Treatment of Mental Illness. Wei Gao, PhD Breakthrough Research Areas Normal Brain Development Study Abnormal Brain Development due to Genetic and/or Environmental Risks Adult Brain Functioning and Brain Disorders/Diseases Collaborations Internal Charles Simmons, MD Kimberly D. Gregory, MD, MPH Suzanne Devkota, PhD Debiao Li, PhD Andre Rogatko, PhD Marcio Diniz PhD Franklin G. Moser , MD, MMM, FACR Nancy L. Sicotte, MD, FAAN External Karen M. Grewen, PhD John H. Gilmore, MD Kristen Lindquist, PhD Scott Johnson, PhD Jennifer Silvers, PhD Lisa A. Nicholas, MD Ken Bachrach, PhD Lynne Smith, MD Hai-Lang Duong, MD Jennifer A. McNulty, MD Jed Elison, PhD Pilyoung Kim, PhD Xiawei Ou, PhD Chen, Gang Meet Our Team Learn more about the scientists, faculty members, investigators and other healthcare professionals of the Gao Laboratory, whose dedicated efforts lead to groundbreaking discoveries. View Our Team Awards & Activities The Gao Laboratory was awarded an NIH R34 grant (R34 DA050255) Planning Phase for the Healthy Brain and Child Development Study (HEALthy BCD) in Los Angeles County Area, awarded in September 2019. Publications The subgrouping structure of newborns with heterogenous brain-behavior relationships. Chen Y, Liu S, Salzwedel A, Stephens R, Cornea E, Goldman B, Gilmore JH, and Gao W. Cereb Cortex. Volume 31, Issue 1, Pages 301–311. 2021. Neonatal brain connectivity outliers identify over forty percent of IQ outliers at 4 years of age. Gao W, Chen Y, Cornea E, Goldman B, and Gilmore JH. Brain Behav. 2021. 10(12):e01846. doi: 10.1002. Hippocampal functional connectivity development during the first two years indexes 4-year working memory performance. Liu J, Chen Y, Stephens R, Cornea E, Goldman B, Gilmore JH, and Gao W. Cortex. In press. SEE FEATURED NEWS Contact the Gao Lab 8700 Beverly Blvd. Biomedical Imaging Research Institute Los Angeles, CA 90048 310-423-6699 Send a Message Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility