Zhaoqing University | China
Author Profile
Scopus
Orcid
Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. Manqi Zhang’s academic journey reflects a steady progression through the field of psychology, beginning with undergraduate studies in applied psychology at Hunan Normal University. This early foundation established her interest in understanding human behavior and cognitive processes. Her master’s studies at The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University further deepened her expertise, particularly in clinical psychology and its applications to mental health. Building on this momentum, she pursued a doctorate in psychology at South China Normal University, where her research bridged cognitive neuroscience and sports psychology, marking the start of her interdisciplinary focus.
Professional Endeavors
Currently serving as a lecturer in the Department of Applied Psychology at Zhaoqing University, Dr. Zhang integrates teaching, research, and mentorship in her professional role. She delivers undergraduate courses in psychological measurement and sports psychology, fostering the next generation of scholars and practitioners. Beyond the classroom, she supervises student research projects on athlete mental health, aligning academic learning with real-world applications. Her career is characterized by an ability to balance teaching responsibilities with independent and collaborative research that links mental well-being and athletic performance.
Contributions and Research Focus
Dr. Zhang’s research lies at the intersection of sports psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and clinical psychology. A major thrust of her work has been uncovering the neural mechanisms that support athlete training and performance, particularly through neuroimaging techniques. Her MRI-based studies of basketball proficiency have demonstrated how brain networks differ between athletes of varying skill levels, with practical implications for training and talent identification. Complementing this line of inquiry, she has explored the neurophysiological underpinnings of psychiatric disorders, using advanced methodologies to study conditions such as schizophrenia and depression. Her work highlights both the challenges of mental illness and the neural pathways of high performance.
Academic Output and Scholarly Contributions
Dr. Zhang has built a robust academic portfolio, authoring first-author publications in international journals indexed by SCI and SSCI. Her contributions extend to multiple collaborative studies published in leading Q1 journals, advancing understanding of neural circuitries in psychiatric conditions and the cognitive processes linked to emotion and memory. Her participation in national-level projects further underscores her commitment to advancing psychological science at a societal scale. These projects, focused on social psychological services and child brain development, demonstrate her ability to engage with large-scale, impactful research that extends beyond the laboratory.
Accolades and Recognition
Dr. Zhang’s scholarly excellence has been widely recognized through honors and awards. She was a recipient of the prestigious National Scholarship, reserved for the top postgraduate students in China, reflecting her academic distinction and leadership potential. She was also recognized as an Outstanding Graduate of Hunan Province, affirming her contributions to both research and community service. More recently, her expertise in juvenile delinquency and mental health policy has been acknowledged at the national level, with her policy consulting reports being adopted by the Ministry of Education of China.
Impact and Influence
The impact of Dr. Zhang’s work extends across both scientific and societal domains. Her studies on athlete mental health and cognitive performance are shaping approaches to training and sports psychology, offering evidence-based methods to improve athlete well-being and performance. At the same time, her research on psychiatric disorders contributes to clinical psychology, offering insights into the neural mechanisms of conditions that affect millions. Her influence is also evident in education, where she bridges academic theory and practice by mentoring students and developing future professionals.
Legacy and Future Contributions
Dr. Zhang’s legacy lies in her ability to integrate diverse strands of psychology into a cohesive research agenda that addresses pressing human challenges. As she continues to advance her career, she is poised to expand her work on athlete well-being, neural mechanisms, and mental health, contributing to both academic knowledge and public policy. With her interdisciplinary expertise, she is well positioned to influence the global discourse on sports psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and clinical applications. Her future contributions are expected to build on her current trajectory, shaping healthier lives and more effective interventions across multiple fields.
Publications
Article: Neural correlates of basketball proficiency: An MRI study across skill levels
Authors: Manqi Zhang, Wenbiao Zhang, Yujie Yao, Jiabao Lin, Lei Mo
Journal: Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness
Year: 2025
Article: Neural divergence between individuals with and without minor depression during dynamic emotion processing: a movie-fMRI study
Authors: Manqi Zhang, Mengjie Deng, Xiaowen Li, Rui Zhang, Jiejie Liao, Jun Peng, Huiyan Feng, Shixiong Tang, Yujie Chen, Lei Mo
Journal: Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
Year: 2024
Article: Common and distinct functional brain network abnormalities in adolescent, early-middle adult, and late adult major depressive disorders
Authors: Yicheng Long, Xuemei Li, Hengyi Cao, Manqi Zhang, Bing Lu, Yang Huang, Mengqi Liu, Ming Xu, Zhening Liu, Chaogan Yan, et al.
Journal: Psychological Medicine
Year: 2024
Article: Cortical morphological heterogeneity of schizophrenia and its relationship with glutamatergic receptor variations
Authors: Xuan Ouyang, Yunzhi Pan, Xudong Chen, Guowei Wu, Yixin Cheng, Wenjian Tan, Manqi Zhang, Mengjie Deng, Zhening Liu, Lena Palaniyappan
Journal: European Psychiatry
Year: 2023
Article: Aberrant integrity of the cortico-limbic-striatal circuit in major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation
Authors: Jun Yang, Lena Palaniyappan, Chang Xi, Yixin Cheng, Zebin Fan, Chujun Chen, Manqi Zhang, Yunzhi Pan, Haojuan Tao, Xuan Ouyang, et al.
Journal: Journal of Psychiatric Research
Year: 2022
Conclusion
Dr. Manqi Zhang stands out as a scholar whose career blends academic rigor, innovative research, and societal relevance. From her early academic pursuits to her current role as a lecturer and researcher, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to advancing psychology in both theory and practice. Her studies in sports performance and mental health not only expand scientific understanding but also provide practical pathways to improve lives. With her growing recognition, influential contributions, and forward-looking research agenda, Dr. Zhang embodies the qualities of a scholar whose work will continue to inspire and impact psychology and allied sciences well into the future.