主要采用心理物理學方法，結合腦成像等手段了解基本視知覺加工過程。主要研究包括兩方面：（1）關于視覺系統的行為可塑性即知覺學習(Perceptual Learning)機制的研究，已在Nature Neuroscience，PLoS Biology ,Current Biology，Journal of Neuroscience等學術期刊發表論文，主要發現刺激的時間模式在知覺學習中的重要作用及其編碼原則，以及知覺學習中位置和特征特異性的全新理解，目前的興趣在于運用心理物理學和腦成像的方法對知覺學習中高級認知腦機制開展研究，包括對知覺學習網膜位置特異性與朝向特異性的進一步研究、複雜圖形的知覺學習與位置特異性的研究，以及弱視知覺學習心理物理學及腦機制的研究；（2）關于漢字識别的視覺心理物理特征及其臨床應用(Letter Recognition & Crowding)，主要考察漢字識别在中央和周邊視覺的表現，論文發表在視覺和眼科專業國際雜志Vision Research，Journal of Vision，IOVS等，目前的興趣在于了解視覺擁擠效應的機制以及漢字識别的空間頻率通道特性。

科研項目

1、 項目主持人：國家自然科學面上項目（32371097），項目名稱：周邊與中央視覺擁擠效應的心理物理學與腦機制研究及臨床應用，2024-2027

2、 項目主持人：國家自然科學面上項目（31970978），項目名稱：知覺學習的高級認知機制與臨床應用，2020-2023

3、 項目主持人：國家自然科學面上項目（31470975），項目名稱：漢字與字母識别中的視覺擁擠效應研究，2015-2018

4、 項目主持人：國家自然科學青年基金（31000459），項目名稱：正常和弱視視覺知覺學習的心理物理學機制研究，2011-2013

5、 項目主持人：2010年教育部高校博士學科點專項科研基金（新教師基金課題），項目名稱：漢字識别的心理物理學機制研究

6、 項目主要參與者：國家自然科學基金委重點項目（31230030），項目名稱：知覺學習的認知與腦機制，2013-2017

英文論著

Chen Y-R, Jiang S-Q, Liu X-Y*, Zhang J-Y.* Temporal contour integration deficits in children with amblyopia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2025;66(4):27. (*corresponding author)

Zhu, J.P., & Zhang, J.Y.* (2025). Brief memory reactivation may not improve visual perception. Vision Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2025.108543(*corresponding author)

Zhu, J.P., & Zhang, J.Y.*. (2024). Feature variability determines specificity and transfer in multiorientation feature detection learning. Journal of Vision, 24(5):2, 1–19. (*corresponding author)

Chen, Y.R., Zhang, Y.W., & Zhang, J.Y.* (2023). The impact of training on the inner–outer asymmetry in crowding. Journal of Vision, 23(8):3, 1–16. (*corresponding author)

Jiang, S.Q.#, Chen, Y.R.#, Liu, X.Y., & Zhang, J.Y.* (2023). Contour integration deficits at high spatial frequencies in children treated for anisometropic amblyopia. Frontiers in Neuroscience,17:1160853. (*corresponding author)

Liu, X.Y., Zhang, Y. W., Gao, F., Chen, F., & Zhang, J.Y.* (2021). Dichoptic perceptual training in children with amblyopia with or without patching history. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 62(6): 4. (*corresponding author)

Liu, X.Y., & Zhang, J.Y.* (2019). Dichoptic de-masking learning in adults with amblyopia and its mechanisms. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 60: 2968-2977. (*corresponding author)

Zhang, J.Y.*, & Yu, C. (2018). Vernier learning with short- and long-staircase training and its transfer to a new location with double training. Journal of Vision, 18(13): 8, 1–8. (*corresponding author)

Liu, X.Y., & Zhang, J.Y.* (2018). Dichoptic training in adults with amblyopia: additional stereoacuity gains over monocular training. Vision Research, 152: 84-90. (*corresponding author)

Xiong, Y.Z., Zhang, J.Y., & Yu, C. (2016). Bottom-up and top-down influences at untrained conditions determine perceptual learning specificity and transfer. eLife, 5:e14614.

Wang, R.*, Wang, J.*, Zhang, J.Y.*, Xie, X.Y.*, Yang, Y.X., Luo, S.H., Yu, C & Li, Wu. (2016). Perceptual learning at a conceptual level, Journal of Neuroscience, 36(7):2238-46. (*co-first author)

Zhang, J.Y.* & Yu, C*. (2016). The transfer of motion direction learning to an opposite direction enabled by double training: A reply to Liang et al. (2015b). Journal of Vision, 16(3):29, 1-4. (*corresponding author)

Cong, L.J., Wang, R.J., Yu, C.*, & Zhang, J.Y.* (2016). Perceptual learning of basic visual features remains task specific with Training-Plus-Exposure (TPE) training. Journal of Vision, 16(3):13, 1-9. (*corresponding author)

Xiong, Y. Z., Yu, C., & Zhang, J.Y.* (2015). Perceptual learning eases crowding by reducing recognition errors but not position errors, Journal of Vision, 15(11): 16, 1-13. (*corresponding author)

Wang, R., Zhang, J.Y.*, Klein, S. A., Levi, D. M. & Yu, C*. (2014). Orientation and motion signals actuate Vernier perceptual learning to transfer to untrained retinal locations: A piggybacking effect. Journal of Vision, 14(13):12, 1–10. (*corresponding author & co-first author) .

Cong, L.J., & Zhang, J.Y.*. (2014). Perceptual learning of contrast discrimination under roving: The role of semantic sequence in stimulus tagging. Journal of Vision, 14(13):1, 1–8. (*corresponding author)

Zhang, J.Y.*, Cong, L.J., Klein, S.A., Levi, D.M., & Yu, C*. (2014). Perceptual learning improves adult amblyopic vision through rule-based cognitive compensation. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 55:2020–2030. (*corresponding author)

Zhang, J.Y.*, Yang, Y.X. (2014). Perceptual learning of motion direction discrimination transfers to an opposite direction with TPE training. Vision Research, 99: 93-98. (*corresponding author)

Zhang, J.Y., Zhang, G.L, Liu, L., & Yu, C. (2012). Whole report uncovers correctly identified but incorrectly placed target information under visual crowding. Journal of Vision, 12(7): 5, 1–11.

Wang, R., Zhang, J.Y., Klein, S. A., Levi, D. M. & Yu, C. (2012). Task relevancy and demand modulate double-training enabled transfer of perceptual learning. Vision Research, 61, 33-38.

Zhang, J.Y., Zhang, G.L, Xiao, L.Q., Klein, S.A., Levi, D.M., & Yu, C. (2010). Rule-based learning explains visual perceptual learning and its specificity and transfer. Journal of Neuroscience, 30, 12323-12328.

Zhang, J.Y.,Zhang, T., Xue, F., Liu, L., & Yu, C. (2009). Legibility of Chinese characters in peripheral vision and the top-down influences on crowding. Vision Research, 49, 44-53.

Liu, L., Klein, S.A., Xue, F., Zhang, J.Y., & Yu, C. (2009). Using geometric moments to explain human letter recognition near the acuity limit, Journal of Vision, 9, 26, 1-18.

Zhang, J.Y.*, Kuai, S.G.*, Xiao, L.Q.*, Klein, S.A., Levi, D.M., & Yu, C. (2008). Stimulus coding rules for perceptual learning. PLoS Biology, 6 (8), 1651-1660. (*equal contribution)

Xiao, L.Q*, Zhang, J.Y.*,Wang, R., Klein, S.A., Levi, D.M., & Yu, C. (2008). Complete transfer of perceptual learning across retinal locations enabled by double training. Current Biology, 18, 1922-1926. (*equal contribution)

Zhang, J.Y.,Zhang, T., Xue, F., Liu, L., & Yu, C. (2007). Legibility variations of Chinese characters and implications for visual acuity measurement in Chinese reading population. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 48, 2383-2390.

Kuai, S.G.*, Zhang, J.Y.*, Klein, S.A., Levi, D.M., & Yu, C. (2005). The essential role of stimulus temporal patterning in enabling perceptual learning. Nature Neuroscience, 8, 1497-1499. (*equal contribution)