Trainers Directory

We are interested in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases with the focus on the mitochondrial dysfunctions. We utilize the cell culture in vitro and transgenic rodent in vivo models to explores the mechanisms underlying abnormal mitochondria and disturbed brain homeostasis.

Wenzhang Wang's Biography 

I focus on the molecular mechanisms governing cell migration and proliferation, and experimental therapy of cancer metastasis using tumor-targeting peptides.

Bingcheng Wang's Biography

The Wang laboratory is engaging in cross-disciplinary studies by collaborating with basic and clinical researchers from LRI /CCF and Case Western Reserve University. Immune-checkpoint blockade therapies have revolutionized the field of Cancer Immunotherapy. The Wang laboratory is among the first groups to demonstrate that the immune-checkpoint protein “V domain Immunoglobulin Suppressor of T cell Activation” (VISTA) is a promising target for cancer Immunotherapy. Current projects are multi-disciplinary and involve elucidating the epigenetic and metabolic regulations by novel inhibitory receptors on tumor-associated cytotoxic T cells and tumor-associated macrophages or myeloid derived suppressor cells. We are also investigating the mechanisms of resistance following chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell-based therapies in lymphoma patients.  

Li Lily Wang's Biography

We interrogate crosstalks between cancer cells and the microenvironment in metastatic colorectal and pancreatic cancers. For example, the surrounding liver mcrienvironment secretes soluble factors to activate HER3 and other survival pathways in cancer liver metastases. By identifying key survival pathways (such as HER3) ivolved in the crosstalk, we aim to develop therapeutic strategies of disrupting the crosstalk (e.g. block secreted factors, or block HER3 in cancer cells) to inhibit metastatic tumor outgrowth and, and also sensitize cancer cells to standard-of-care treatments for combination therapies.

Rui Wang's Biography

My research program focuses on developing new treatments for colorectal cancer and translating bench discoveries into clinical trials. A particular focus of my research is to understand how oncogenic PIK3CA mutations drive tumorigenesis and design new therapeutic approaches for PIK3CA mutant cancers.

Zhenghe J Wang's Biography

We are interested in statistical method development in data integration and causal inference and collaborative work in biomedical and human health research. We develop computational methods for analyzing and identifying biomarkers from high-dimensional genomic/genetic/imaging data. Also, we work on electronic health record data and other big data in cancer, cardiovascular, kidney and neurodegenerative diseases for decision making and value-based care research.

Ming Wang's Biography 

I investigate the distribution of genetic variation and the role that this variation plays in phenotypic differences among populations, including the role of host pathogen co-evolution in infectious disease risk.

Scott Williams's Biography 

I research the neural basis of adaptive behavior, odor-guided navigation and flight in insects.

Mark Willis's Biography

Our lab focuses on understanding how beta-arrestins, proteins known to regulate various GPCRs signaling (~40% of FDA-approved drugs target GPCRs), contribute to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD). 

JungA "Alexa" Woo's Biography

We are interested in understanding the fundamental mechanism of innate immunity and its impact on adaptive immunity, inflammation and cancer. We are currently employing multifaceted approaches and mouse disease models to uncover the novel immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive mechanisms of cGAS-STING pathway in antitumor immunity and autoimmunity. The knowledge gained from these studies will be applied to guide the development of new immunotherapies for cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Jianjun Wu's Biography