She studies the challenges involved with global aging and has carried out research into the well-being of the elderly and intergenerational transfers. Zuo is the author of twelve peer-reviewed journals or book chapters and has been the principal investigator on the projects "Study on the Mechanism of Intergenerational Exchange in Elderly Extended Family and Health Consequences" and "Age Pattern of Intergenerational Transfers among Older Persons in Rural China: A Life Course Perspective," sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and "Study on situation of Aging population and Old-age security in Shaanxi Province" funded by Shaanxi bureau of statistics. She is co-investigator on the project "Longitudinal Study of the Well-being of the Elderly in Anhui Province, China," supported by the Fogarty International Center, NIH.