Leadership: Dr. Zhiyi Zuo, MD, PhD

Zhiyi Zuo, MD/PhD, Anesthesiology Executive Vice Chair, Chief of the Neuroanesthesia Division, and Robert M. Epstein Professor of Anesthesiology

Zhiyi Zuo, M.D., Ph.D., is the Robert M. Epstein Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology. Currently, he is the Anesthesiology Executive Vice Chair and Chief of the Neuroanesthesia Division. He has worked for the University of Virginia for about 28 years. Zhiyi (“Z”) is a physician-scientist and has been funded continuously by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for more than 20 years. Currently, he is the Principal Investigator of three NIH R01 grants (R01HD089999, R01 NS099118 and R01 AG061047) and Co-investigator on multiple other grants. His research team focuses on two projects: mechanisms of postoperative cognitive dysfunction and delirium, and cerebral vascular remodeling and brain ischemic injury.

Zhiyi (“Z”) has been honored to receive the following major awards: the 2005 Presidential Scholar Award from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (one awardee each year from the United States), the 2007 Frontiers in Anesthesia Research Award from the International Anesthesia Research Society (one awardee every two years worldwide), and the World Outstanding Chinese Doctor – Fok Ying-Tung Award in 2018 (10 awardees every year worldwide).

In addition, he is very interested in improving perioperative outcomes in patients. He has published nearly 300 manuscripts, mostly reporting original studies. His basic science original studies have been published in journals such as Advanced Science, Molecular Psychiatry, Theranostics, Cardiovascular Diseases and Neuro-Oncology. He has published more than 20 research papers in Anesthesiology, the official journal for the American Society of Anesthesiology.

Z has a passion for mentoring. He has mentored more than 150 people. Many of his mentees are very successful academically and have become leaders in Anesthesiology. Currently, Z is a member of the Strategic Planning Committee for Research at UVA Health, a member of the Provost’s Promotion and Tenure Committee, and a Councilor for the Academy of Research Mentors in Anesthesiology at the Foundation for Anesthesiology Education and Research (FAER). Z enjoys spending time with his family, outdoor activities, hiking and running.