Peng Cao Supervisor of Doctorate CandidatesSupervisor of Master's Candidates

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Degree:Doctoral Degree in Science

Discipline: Biology

Recommended Ph.D.Supervisor Recommended MA Supervisor

Basic Information
Scientific Research

Profile

曹鹏，博士，中国科学技术大学生命科学与医学部特任教授。国家优青（2025）、安徽省青年拔尖人才（2024）、安徽省神经科学学会青年创新工作委员会秘书长、中国研究型医院学会神经再生与修复专业委员会委员。研究方向为感知觉与情绪的神经机制及调控，相关研究工作以第一或通讯作者（含共同）发表于Neuron（2021）、Nature Communications（2024, 2025, 2026）、Science Advances（2025）、Cell Reports（2023, 2024a, 2024b）等期刊，成果被Science期刊Perspective、Neuron期刊Previews和Spotlight等评述文章引用报道，入选Cell出版社年度中国最佳论文和中国神经科学重大进展，ESI高被引论文3篇，单篇最高被引超300余次。曾获中科院院长特别奖、长三角神经科学青年科学家奖、CNS-FENS Travel Award等荣誉。主持国家自然科学基金青年项目（B类、C类）、博士后创新人才支持计划、省自然青年、博后面上、中科大青创重点等项目，参与科技创新2030、国自然专项、国自然区域联合创新重点（项目骨干）等项目。

Educational Experience

[1] 2017.9~2022.7，中国科学技术大学，神经生物学，研究生，Dr

[2] 2013.9~2017.6，东北林业大学，生物技术，本科，bachelor's degree

Work Experience

[1] 2024.8~2025.12，中国科学技术大学，生命科学与医学部，特任副研究员

[2] 2022.8~2024.8，中国科学技术大学，生命科学与医学部，博士后

Research Focus

[1] 感知觉与情绪的神经机制及调控

Papers

[1] Mingjun Zhang, Ziyun Ni, Jun Ma, An Liu,Ying Liu, Qianqian Lou, Wan-Ying Dong.Zhi Zhang, Juan Li, Peng Cao.A neural circuit for sex-dependent conditioned pain hypersensitivity in mice.Nature Communications,2025,16(1):3639.

[2] Peng Cao, Changmao Chen, An Liu,Qinghong Shan, Xia Zhu, Chunhui Jia, Xiaoqi Peng, Mingjun Zhang, Zahra Farzinpour, Wenjie Zhou, Haitao Wang, Jiang-Ning Zhou, Xiaoyuan Song, Liecheng Wang, Wenjuan Tao, Changjian Zheng, Yan Zhang, Yu-Qiang Ding.Yan Jin, Lin Xu, Zhi Zhang.Early-life inflammation promotes depressive symptoms in adolescence via microglial engulfment of dendritic spines.Neuron,2021,109(16):2573-2589.

[3] Peng Cao, Ying Liu, Ziyun Ni, Mingjun Zhang,Hong-Rui Wei, An Liu, Jin-Rong Guo, Yumeng Yang, Zheng Xu, Yuyu Guo.Zhi Zhang, Wenjuan Tao, Likui Wang.Rescue-like behavior in a bystander mouse toward anesthetized conspecifics promotes arousal via a tongue-brain connection.Science Advances,2025,11(4):eadq3874.

[4] Peng Cao, Mingjun Zhang, Ziyun Ni,Xiang-Jie Song, Chen-Ling Yang, Yu Mao, Wenjie Zhou, Wan-Ying Dong, Xiaoqi Peng, Changjian Zheng.Zhi Zhang, Yan Jin, Wenjuan Tao.Green light induces antinociception via visualsomatosensory circuits.Cell Reports,2023,42(4):112290.

[5] Danyang Chen, Qianqian Lou, Xiang-Jie Song,Fang Kang, An Liu, Changjian Zheng, Yanhua Li, Di Wang, Sen Qun.Zhi Zhang, Peng Cao, Yan Jin.Microglia govern the extinction of acute stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors in male mice.Nature Communications,2024,15(1):449.

[6] Hong-Rui Wei, Lan Tang, Xin-Lu Yang,Chang-Mao Chen, Le-Xian Li, Yu Mao, Di Wang, Fang Kang, Sen Qun.Zhi Zhang, Peng Cao, Yan Jin.A microglial activation cascade across cortical regions underlies secondary mechanical hypersensitivity to amputation.Cell Reports,2024,43(2):113804.

[7] Yumeng Yang, Hao Huang, Meng-Yu Zhu,Hong-Rui Wei, Mingjun Zhang, Lan Tang, Wei Gao, Xinlu Yang.Zhi Zhang, Peng Cao, Wenjuan Tao.A neural circuit for lavender-essential-oil-induced antinociception.Cell Reports,2024,43(10):114800.

Honors and Titles

[1] 安徽省青年人才项目,2024-10-01

[2] 长三角神经科学青年科学家奖,2024-10-01

[3] 中国科学院院长特别奖,2022-07-01

[4] 中国神经科学重大进展,2021-09-01

[5] CNS-FENS Travel Award，中国神经科学学会,2024-09-01

[6] Olympus Award for Excellent Poster，中国神经科学学会,2021-11-01

[7] 长三角神经科学卓越博士后奖,2023-10-01

[8] 研究生学术年会优秀口头汇报一等奖（博士后组）,2023-06-01

[9] 中国科学技术大学优秀毕业生,2022-07-01