Keith Cheng

Keith Cheng is a Professor at Penn State College of Medicine, holding dual appointments in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (Division of Experimental Pathology) and the Department of Molecular and Precision Medicine. He is also affiliated with the Penn State Cancer Institute, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, and the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences (ICDS).

Dr. Cheng's research spans multiple disciplines including genetics, imaging technology, and computational biology. His primary interests include:

• Genetics (phage, E. coli, cancer, human population)
• Phenomics and computational phenomics
• MicroCT and synchrotron microCT imaging
• Skin pigmentation and its relationship to skin cancer
• Web-based scientific resources and infrastructure
• 3D derivatives of histology for automated phenotyping

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on developing advanced imaging techniques, particularly through projects like the Synchrotron MicroCT Imaging Resource for Biology (SMIRB), and exploring the genetic basis of phenotypic variability. Dr. Cheng's lab utilizes model systems such as zebrafish to study fundamental genetic mechanisms related to human biology and disease.

Dr. Cheng has received several notable awards including:

• AAAS Fellow (2020)
• Career Citation Milestone Award - D (500) Club (2016)
• Career Citation Milestone Award - M (1000) Club (2020)
• Inaugural ICDS Faculty Scholar Award (2022)

As an educator, Dr. Cheng is fascinated by the history of science, particularly the discovery of the cell and the cellular basis of disease. He served as Co-Chair for Validation of Animal Models of Human Biology and Disease at the NIH, Office of Research Infrastructure and Programs (2020-2022) and has been actively involved in developing web-based educational resources for science and medicine.