Cherry Leung, PhD, RN

Title(s)Associate Professor, Community Health Systems
SchoolSchool of Nursing
Address490 Illinois Street, #93Q
San Francisco CA 94158
PronounsShe/Her/Hers
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    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse education and training
    University of PennsylvaniaBSN05/2004Nursing
    University of Pennsylvania MSN09/2006Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
    University of Hong KongPhD01/2015Epidemiology
    University of California, San FranciscoPostdoc06/2016Symptom Management
    University of California, San FranciscoPost-Master's03/2018Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
    Collapse awards and honors
    Hellman Fellows Fund2020Hellman Fellow
    University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing2020Next Generation Nursing: Honoring 20 remarkable alumni
    UCSF School of Nursing202040 Under 40: Rising Nurse Leaders
    NIH/NINR2017  - 2020Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01)
    University of Hong Kong2011  - 2014Hong Kong Government Ph.D. Fellow
    Sigma Theta Tau, Nursing Honor Society2004University of Pennsylvania, Xi Chapter

    Collapse Overview 
    Collapse overview
    Dr. Cherry Leung is an Associate Profressor at the Department of Community Health Systems, UCSF, with a program of research focused on identifying modifiable biological risk factors for adolescent depression, with particular emphasis on the gut microbiome and inflammation. Her current work aims to advance the development of novel, biology-informed interventions that improve mental health outcomes in youth. Dr. Leung is the Principal Investigator of an NIH-funded clinical trial examining the effects of Visbiome®, a high-potency multi-strain probiotic, on neural and microbial mechanisms of depression in adolescents. This multi-phase randomized controlled trial investigates two key biological signatures: (1) resting-state functional connectivity between the left hippocampus and precuneus—brain regions implicated in mood regulation—and (2) gut microbial diversity. More broadly, Dr. Leung’s research integrates neuroscience, immunology, microbiology, and developmental psychopathology to examine how interactions between the brain, immune system, and gut microbiome contribute to depressive symptoms during adolescence. Her work has implications for prevention and early intervention and is conducted in close collaboration with interdisciplinary teams in psychiatry, microbiome science, and adolescent medicine.
    Collapse Mentoring

    Collapse Research 
    Collapse research activities and funding
    Probiotic Administration for Adolescent Depression
    NIH 1R61AT012028Sep 1, 2023 - May 31, 2027
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Gut microbiota, inflammation, and adolescent depressive symptoms
    NIH K01NR017207Sep 11, 2017 - Aug 31, 2020
    Role: Principal Investigator

    Collapse ORNG Applications 
    Collapse Clinical Trials
    Collapse Featured Publications

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse selected publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Researchers can login to make corrections and additions, or contact us for help. to make corrections and additions.
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    Altmetrics Details PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Cytokines and Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents. Biol Res Nurs. 2025 Feb 04; 10998004251318385. Leung CY, Weiss SJ. PMID: 39902492.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    2. Greater perceived stress and lower cortisol concentration increase the odds of depressive symptoms among adolescents. J Affect Disord. 2024 Nov 15; 365:41-48. Leung CY, Kyung M, Weiss SJ. PMID: 39142582.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    3. Engaging adolescents in research: Home self-collection of biological samples and health questionnaires. Res Nurs Health. 2024 10; 47(5):484-491. Leung CY, Chien SY, Weiss SJ. PMID: 38953164; PMCID: PMC11371518.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    4. Exposure to prenatal stressors and infant autonomic nervous system regulation of stress. Stress. 2024 Jan; 27(1):2327328. Weiss SJ, Cooper B, Leung C. PMID: 38497496; PMCID: PMC11144651.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    5. Infant emotion regulation in the context of stress: Effects of heart rate variability and temperament. Stress Health. 2024 Aug; 40(4):e3373. Weiss SJ, Keeton VF, Leung C, Niemann S. PMID: 38268180.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    6. Associations of iron deficiency and depressive symptoms among young adult males and Females: NHANES 2017 to 2020. Prev Med Rep. 2024 Jan; 37:102549. Leung CY, Kyung M. PMID: 38226328; PMCID: PMC10788288.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2  
    7. The gut microbiota, HPA axis, and brain in adolescent-onset depression: Probiotics as a novel treatment. Brain Behav Immun Health. 2022 Dec; 26:100541. Freimer D, Yang TT, Ho TC, Tymofiyeva O, Leung C. PMID: 36536630; PMCID: PMC9758412.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8  
    8. Depression, Healthcare Utilization, Missed Work, and Health Behaviors Among US Young Workers: Data From the 2015 National Health Interview Survey. J Occup Environ Med. 2021 10 01; 63(10):821-827. Leung CY, Lee SJ. PMID: 34143591; PMCID: PMC11460600.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    9. Maternal depressive symptoms, poverty, and young motherhood increase the odds of early depressive and anxiety disorders for children born prematurely. Infant Ment Health J. 2021 07; 42(4):586-602. Weiss SJ, Leung C. PMID: 34021614; PMCID: PMC8453766.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 6     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    10. Gender differences in experience and reporting of acute symptoms among cleaning staff. Am J Ind Med. 2021 06; 64(6):528-539. Lee SJ, Kyung M, Leung C, Hong O. PMID: 33811668; PMCID: PMC8562058.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    11. Sleep duration does not mediate the association between screen time and adolescent depression and anxiety: findings from the 2018 National Survey of Children's Health. Sleep Med. 2021 05; 81:227-234. Leung CY, Torres R. PMID: 33721600; PMCID: PMC8499699.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    12. Association of Depressive Symptoms with Consumption of Analgesics among Adolescents. J Pediatr Nurs. 2019 Mar - Apr; 45:e19-e23. Hena M, Leung C, Clausson EK, Garmy P. PMID: 30585152.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    13. Behavioral problem trajectories and self-esteem changes in relation with adolescent depressive symptoms: a longitudinal study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2018 Jul; 53(7):673-684. Leung CY, Leung GM, Schooling CM. PMID: 29619579.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 6     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    14. Mode of delivery and child and adolescent psychological well-being: Evidence from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" birth cohort. Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 15; 7(1):15673. Leung CY, Leung GM, Schooling CM. PMID: 29142203; PMCID: PMC5688155.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    15. Early second-hand smoke exposure and child and adolescent mental health: evidence from Hong Kong's 'Children of 1997' birth cohort. Addiction. 2015 Nov; 110(11):1811-24. Leung CY, Leung GM, Schooling CM. PMID: 26119482.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    16. Informal child care and adolescent psychological well-being: Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" birth cohort. PLoS One. 2015; 10(3):e0120116. Leung CY, Leung GM, Schooling CM. PMID: 25781484; PMCID: PMC4363320.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:HumansCTClinical Trials
    17. Migrant status and child and adolescent psychological well-being: evidence from Hong Kong's 'Children of 1997' birth cohort. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2015 Feb; 69(2):156-61. Leung CY, Leung GM, Schooling CM. PMID: 25305311.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
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