Lewei Zhang

Lewei Zhang serves as a Professor in the Department of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Dentistry. His research centers on oral potentially malignant disorders, with emphasis on molecular mechanisms driving malignant transformation in oral epithelial dysplasia and lichenoid lesions.

Dr. Zhang's research program integrates molecular pathology, microbiome analysis, and advanced imaging techniques to develop risk assessment models for oral cancer progression. Key focus areas include E-cadherin/beta-catenin signaling pathways, p53 immunohistochemical patterns, and the diagnostic potential of oral microbiome profiling. His work bridges basic science with clinical applications through image cytometry and multiplexed immune microenvironment analysis.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2020-2025) reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) molecular characterization of dysplasia progression using cell adhesion markers, (2) clinicopathological analysis of lichenoid lesions with dysplastic features, and (3) development of non-invasive diagnostic tools including microbiome-based predictors and multispectral imaging. Notable methodological innovations include brushing-based DNA ploidy analysis and quantitative pathology toolboxes for risk stratification.

As a graduate supervisor in UBC's Craniofacial Science programs, Dr. Zhang mentors students in translational oral cancer research. His extensive publication record demonstrates sustained contributions to early detection protocols and molecular classification systems for oral potentially malignant disorders, with direct implications for clinical management guidelines.