Zhongmin (John) Lu

Associate Professor

04 Cox Science Center, Dept. of Biology
1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33124

(305)284-6813
Fax (305)284-3039

email
Laboratory Website

Education and Professional Experience

  • 1985, B.S. Biology, Capital Normal University, Beijing, PRC
  • 1988, M.S. Neurophysiology, Yunnan University, Kunming, The People’s Republic of China (PRC)
  • 1993, M.A. Experimental Psychology, Loyola University Chicago
  • 1995, Ph.D. Experimental Psychology, Loyola University Chicago
  • Postdoctoral work in Neuroscience, University of Maryland, College Park, 1995 - 1999
  • 1997 - 1998, Assistant Research Scientist, Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park
  • 1998 - 1999, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park
  • 1999 - 2005, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, University of Miami
  • 2000 - present, Investigator, NIEHS Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center (MFBSC), Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science (RSMAS), University of Miami
  • 2002 - pesent, Faculty, The Neuroscience Program, University of Miami School of Medicine
  • 2005 - present Associate Professor, Department of Biology, University of Miami
  • 2006, Neural Development and Genetics in Zebrafish course with Certificate, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole

Awards

  • 2004, College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Excellence Award
  • 2002 , Marquis Who’s Who in America
  • 2001 - 2002, Pilot Project Award, NIEHS MFBSC, RSMAS, University of Miami, $10,000
  • 2000, General Research Support Award, University of Miami, $4,000
  • 1999, Knight Junior Faculty Fellowship, University of Miami, $60,000
  • 1994, Ph.D. Fellowship, Loyola University Chicago
  • 1994-1997, Postdoctoral fellowship, Office of Naval Research
  • 1989 - 1994 Graduate Assistantship, Loyola University Chicago
  • 1985, Summa cum laude, Capital Normal University, PRC

Grants

  • NIH/NIDCD, R01 Research Grant (DC03275), Principal Investigator, "Neural mechanisms of sound localization," $1,245,055, 2003 -2007.
  • NIH/NIDCD, Research Supplements to Promote Diversity 2006 - 2007.
  • NIH/NIEHS, Core Center (P30ES05705), Co-Investigator (PI: Patrick J. Walsh), "Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center," $2,340,000, 2002 -2007.
  • NIH/NINDS, T32 (NS07492) Predoctoral Training Grant, Co-PI (PI: John L. Bixby), "Broadly-based Training Program in the Neuroscience," $1,125,000, 2006 - 2011

Areas of Focus

Developmental Biology and Neuroscience

Research Interests

My lab is interested in sensory neurobiology with a primary focus on comparative studies of the auditory systems of vertebrates. Research in the Auditory Neurobiology Laboratory involves study of the fish auditory system from the ear to the CNS at cellular, systems, and organismal levels using anatomical, neurophysiological, and behavioral approaches. We have been using the sleeper goby, Dormitator latifrons, a hearing generalist, and the goldfish, Carassius auratus, a hearing specialist, as model systems for hearing research. We have four major research directions: 1) Peripheral mechanisms of directional hearing in fish, 2) Neural mechanisms of sound localization by fish, 3) Florida red tides and hearing, 4) Roles of fish otolithic organs in hearing.

Publications

  • Xiang, P., Lin, Y. M., Lin, P., Xiang, C., Yang, Z. W., Lu, Z. (2006) Cationization reagents affect results of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectra of hydrolysable tannins. J. Appl. Polymer Sci. (submitted)
  • Tomchik, S. M. and Lu, Z. (2006) Modulation of auditory signal-to-noise ratio by efferent stimulation. J. Neurophysiol. 95: 3562-3570.
  • Tomchik, S. M. and Lu, Z. (2006) Anatomy and physiology of octavolateral efferent neurons in a teleost fish. J. Comp. Physiol. A 192: 51-67.
  • Tomchik, S. M. and Lu, Z. (2005) Central octavolateral projections and convergence in the medulla of a teleost fish, the sleeper goby (Dormitator latifrons). J. Comp. Neurol. 481: 96-117.
  • Lu, Z., Xu, Z., and Buchser, W. J. (2004) Coding of acoustic particle motion by utricular fibers of the sleeper goby, Dormitator latifrons. J. Comp. Physiol. A 190: 923-938.
  • Lu, Z., Xu, Z., and Buchser, W. J. (2003) Acoustic response properties of lagenar nerve fibers in the sleeper goby, Dormitator latifrons. J. Comp. Physiol. A 189: 889-905.
  • Lu, Z. and Tomchik, S. M. (2002) Effects of a red-tide toxin on fish hearing. J. Comp. Physiol. A 188: 807-813.
  • Lu, Z. and Xu, Z. (2002) Effects of saccular otolith removal on hearing sensitivity of the sleeper goby (Dormitator latifron). J. Comp. Physiol. A 188: 595-602.
  • Lu, Z., Xu, Z., and Stadler, J. H. (2002) Roles of the saccule in directional hearing. Bioacoustics 12: 205-207.
  • Lu, Z. and Popper, A. N. (2001) Neural response directionality correlates of hair cell orientation in a teleost fish. J. Comp. Physiol. A 187: 453-465.
  • Popper, A. N. and Lu, Z. (2000) Structure-function relationships in fish otolith organs. Fisheries Res. 46:15-25.
  • Lu, Z. and Popper, A. N. (1998) Morphological polarizations of sensory hair cells in the three otolithic organs of a teleost fish: fluorescent labeling of ciliary bundles. Hearing Res. 126: 47-57.
  • Lu, Z., Song, J., and Popper, A. N. (1998) Encoding of acoustic directional information by saccular afferents of the sleeper goby, Dormitator latifrons. J. Comp. Physiol. A 182: 805-815.
  • Mann, D. M., Lu, Z. Hastings, M., and Popper, A. N. (1998) Detection of ultrasonic tones and simulated dolphin echolocation clicks by a teleost fish, the American shad (Alosa sapidissima). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 104:562-568.
  • Mann, D. M., Lu, Z., and Popper, A. N. (1997) A clupeid fish can detect ultrasound. Nature 389: 341.
  • Lu, Z., Popper, A. N., and Fay, R. R. (1996) Behavioral detection of acoustic particle motion by a teleost fish (Astronotus ocellatus): sensitivity and directionality. J. Comp. Physiol. A 179: 227-233.
  • Lu, Z. and Fay, R. R. (1996) Two-tone interaction in primary afferents and midbrain neurons of the goldfish, Carassius auratus. Aud. Neurosci. 2: 257-273.
  • Lu, Z. and Fay, R. R. (1995) Acoustic response properties of single neurons in the central posterior nucleus of the thalamus of the goldfish, Carassius auratus. J. Comp. Physiol. A 176: 747-760.
  • Lu, Z. and Fay, R. R. (1993) Acoustic response properties of single units in the torus semicircularis of the goldfish, Carassius auratus. J. Comp. Physiol. A 173: 33-48.
  • Lu, Z. (1989) Auditory sensitivity of a snake-headed fish (Ophicephalus argus): saccular microphonic potentials. J. Capital Normal Univ. 10: 55-60.

    • Press Releases:

  • Cyber Diver News Network: "Red tides affect marine life sensory systems," Dec. 9, 2001.
  • Daily University Science News: "Red Tides Affect Some Functions Of Sensory System," Dec. 8, 2001.
  • Daily University of Miami News: "Red Tides Can Cause Hearing Loss in Fish," Dec. 8, 2001.
  • Acoustical Society of America 142nd Meeting Press Release: "RED TIDES DAMAGE GOLDFISH HEARING," Melville, New York, Nov. 6, 2001.
  • The Diamondback, the University of Maryland, College Park: "Campus Zoology ResearchersDiscover Shad Have Super Hearing," Oct. 2, 1997.
  • Outlook, the University of Maryland, College Park: "A Shad Tale of High Frequency Herring Hearing," Sept. 30, 1997.
  • University of Maryland Communication Newsdesk: "University of Maryland Researchers Find That Fish Can Hear Ultrasonic Noises," Sept. 23, 1997.
Dept. of Biology, Cox Science Ctr.
1301 Memorial Dr., University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida 33124-0421 		College of Arts and Sciences homepage
University of Miami homepage 		telephone. 305-284-3973
fax. 305-284-3039
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