His lab uses an integrative approach to study neuronal RNA-binding proteins and how they regulate the transcriptomic diversity in the nervous system through alternative splicing in both normal and disease contexts. A current focus of the lab is to elucidate mechanisms underlying the precise timing of dynamic transcript isoform switches and the functional consequences during neural development. These works are done in model systems including in vitro neural differentiation from embryonic stem cells and mice. Dr. Zhang’s work has contributed to mapping protein-RNA interactions at single nucleotide resolution, to constructing neuronal RNA regulatory networks with high sensitivity and specificity, and to dissecting their function in neurodevelopment.