Xi Zhu, an associate professor of bioengineering and director of the Biomedical Research in AI and Neuroimaging Lab at The University of Texas at Arlington, has received more than $4.5 million in grant funding from the National Institutes of Health.
Her work uses neuroimaging and artificial intelligence to study brain disorders and brain development. Dr. Zhu is the lead investigator on a $3.45 million grant examining Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder and anxiety. She is also participating in three additional research projects exploring obsessive-compulsive disorder, the impact of maternal diabetes on early brain development and another PTSD study.
Most clinical research on brain disorders relies on qualitative data, such as patient questionnaires and self-reports. But these disorders often involve multiple co-occurring conditions, and having quantitative biomarkers could improve diagnosis, treatment and understanding of the underlying brain mechanisms.
"If we treat brain disorders based on symptoms, there can be differences because the mechanisms within the brain are different," Zhu said. "My research will allow clinicians to see how each patient deviates from normal based on objective biomarker data gleaned from large international datasets. Instead of just looking at symptoms that might be similar, we could view patients' potentially very different biomarkers for each subtype and use that information for better treatments tailored to each individual."
Across her four grants, Zhu combines large global brain imaging datasets with detailed local studies at UTA's advanced MRI facility. This approach lets her study everything from prenatal brain development to shared brain patterns across psychiatric conditions, all within a flexible research infrastructure.
Her $3.45 million grant focuses on understanding the differences in brain patterns among PTSD, depression, and anxiety. By analyzing brain imaging data with AI, the project seeks to identify unique neural markers and subtypes of these disorders, ultimately guiding more personalized treatments.
Related: Brain mapping unlocks key Alzheimer's insights
Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, Zhu can find consistent brain patterns linked to disease worldwide and then test their usefulness in local clinical trials. This strategy ensures that discoveries are both scientifically robust and meaningful for patients.
Zhu is also studying how maternal diabetes affects early brain development in collaboration with Shan Luo of the University of Southern California. UTA's portion of this project uses MRI to track brain growth in the first 1,000 days of life and assess how prenatal exposure to maternal diabetes may influence brain development and obesity risk in children.
In another project, Zhu is contributing to the largest global neuroimaging study of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), spanning 43 sites in 18 countries. The study aims to identify consistent brain markers of OCD and develop precision tools for diagnosis and treatment.
Finally, Zhu is working with Benjamin Suarez-Jimenez of the University of Rochester to study PTSD using virtual reality. By pairing immersive VR tasks with MRI scans, the project examines how people with PTSD distinguish safe from threatening situations, with the goal of improving diagnosis and therapy. UTA's share of this project is $77,428.
Laying the groundwork toward a Center for Precision Brain Health
Zhu's research aligns with the upcoming Texas Dementia, Prevention and Research Institute initiative established by the Texas Legislature. With UTA's strengths in big-data analysis, AI, and locally validated studies, the University is well-positioned to become a leader in brain health research with both local and global impact.
Zhu was among the first hires in a planned faculty cluster focused on brain health. Combined with existing UTA faculty in computer science, mathematics, nursing, health innovation, and engineering, this growing team is expanding opportunities for large-scale, collaborative research.
"We are at the forefront of neuroimaging and AI research in mental disorders, and these NIH-funded projects deepen our expertise in crucial areas of brain research," said Michael Cho, chair of the Bioengineering Department. "Ultimately, we aim to establish a Center for Precision Brain Health—a multidisciplinary hub spanning bioengineering, psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience and computational sciences. By combining global collaboration with local innovation, we are laying the foundation for next-generation tools to prevent, diagnose and treat brain disorders."
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation's top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.
— Jeremy Agor, College of Engineering
