| Heng Wei Cheng |
|
Contact Information:
Phone: +1 765-494-8022
Email: heng-wei.cheng@usda.gov
Address: 270 S. Russell St.
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Areas of Expertise:
Neuroscience
Poultry Behavior and Well-Being
Education:
M.D. Medical School of Southeast University, CN
M.S., Harbin Medical University, CN
Ph.D. Wayne State University, Michigan
Post-doctoral Training: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Dr. Cheng's primary research interest is brain functioning in regulating stress response in farm animals, especially in poultry. His lab studies the cellular and molecular mechanisms of stress-induced neuronal plasticity and behavioral adaptation; and to develop neuroanatomical and neurophysiological quantitative indicators of animal well-being. His current research emphasis is on 1) pain in farm animals, following various management practices, such as beak trimming in poultry; 2) use of probiotics and synbiotics for improving animal well-being; 3) modification of caging environments to improve hen well-being; and 4) prenatal modification of neurotransmitter system for reducing aggression. Integrated morphological, molecular biological, pharmacological, and behavioral approaches to the goal have been designed in my laboratory.
