Neuroscience
Academy Denmark

All NAD Fellows

NAD Fellow 2026 · China

Wuxian Xu

MSc in Neurobiology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Aarhus University

Profile on NAD Network

With a master’s degree in Neurobiology from the Sino-Danish Center, Wuxian Xu is excited to start her academic career in Denmark.

Wuxian Xu wants to identify therapeutic targets and understand disease mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases:

“My interest in neurodegenerative diseases started in high school when a close family member became ill. Since then, I have hoped to contribute to earlier diagnosis and more precise treatments. During my master’s studies, I studied secretion of pathogenic proteins in Parkinson’s disease and explored potential salivary biomarkers in patients, which strengthened my wish to do research that can bring a true difference for patients,” Wuxian explains.

She will do her first rotation in the Sørensen lab at the University of Copenhagen, where she will study GABA-A receptor variants expressed in human or mouse neurons that are linked to neurodevelopmental and epileptic encephalopathy.

Wuxian is excited to start the pre-PhD year and her research career in Denmark:

“This programme […] gives me the space to explore different projects and find one I am truly passionate about while also trying new fields and techniques. The focus on translational neuroscience and interdisciplinary training fits my interests and background. Through the Sino-Danish programme I have come to appreciate the Danish academic culture, and I would like to continue my research in this supportive and collaborative environment,” Wuxian says.

Outside of the lab, Wuxian enjoys long distance running and playing the piano as well as deep conversations and quality time with friends.

Lab rotations - pre-PhD year

  1. Rotation 1

    Sørensen Lab, Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen w/PI Professor Jakob Balslev Sørensen

    The lab studies basic mechanisms of synaptic transmission, including neurotransmitter release machinery and postsynaptic receptors, and how de novo variants in synaptic proteins lead to neurodevelopmental and epileptic encephalopathy. The group uses mouse and human iPSC-derived neurons and in vitro drug screening to explore these mechanisms and possible treatments.

    Wuxian will study GABA-A receptor variants expressed in human or mouse neurons that are linked to neurodevelopmental and epileptic encephalopathy. This includes single-cell patch-clamp recordings and population-level activity measurements using calcium-based optical methods, and possibly immunostaining with confocal microscopy to analyse neuronal branching and synaptogenesis.

    Department of Neuroscience · KU

  2. Rotation 2

    CNS Disease Modeling Group, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University w/PI Professor Marina Romero-Ramos

    Dept of Biomedicine · AU

  3. Rotation 3

    Paludan Lab, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University w/PI Professor Søren Riis Paludan

    Host: Soren Riis Paludan

    Dept of Biomedicine · AU