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Xue-Rui Peng
Name:
Xue-Rui Peng
Job Title:
PhD Student / Research Assistant
Place of work / study:
Southwest University and TU Dresden
Area of Research:
Cognitive neuroscience of aging
How is your work funded:
German Research Foundation (DFG, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am a research assistant at Southwest University in China while also a PhD candidate and IMPRS CoNI fellow at TU Dresden and Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Germany. My research interests lie in the cognitive neuroscience of aging. I am experienced in working with neuroimaging techniques including MEG, fMRI, and fNIRS. My doctoral project focuses on how aging affects information processing under uncertainty. I’m also particularly interested in identifying neuropsychological markers of preclinical dementia and hope to focus more on this area in my future research.
I am also an ISTAART Ambassador for 2025/2026
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I used to be a 10-meter air rifle shooter – so I’m pretty good at staying incredibly still and focused, which comes in handy when I’m sitting through long neuroimaging sessions!
Why did you choose to work in dementia:
My grandmother developed Alzheimer’s disease 8 years ago. In retrospect, I noticed that early signs had been present for years before her diagnosis, but we didn’t recognize them at the time. This personal experience drives my motivation for identifying neuropsychological markers of preclinical dementia.
What single piece of of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
Don’t underestimate yourself. Your ideas and contributions matter more than you think, even early in your career.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
I’m currently reading ‘The Answer is No‘. And yes, I absolutely recommend it
Favourite film of all time?
Not technically a film, but I’m obsessed with the musical ‘Elisabeth’! Saw it live last month and have been listening to the soundtrack almost daily since.
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
1. Spending time with my two beautiful British Longhair cats, Unii and Pupu. 2. Finding a nice hotel by the sea where I can just relax and watch the waves.
What’s the best decision you ever made?
I have to say, choosing Prof. Shu-Chen Li as my PhD supervisor was hands down the best decision I’ve ever made.
What’s the best vacation spot?
Ibiza in the off-season! And you absolutely MUST go to Formentera.
Do you collect anything?
This is probably the most stereotypical tourist thing ever, but I collect fridge magnets from everywhere I travel – been doing it for the past 3 years.
