Ru-Rong Ji

Ru-Rong Ji is the William Maixner Professor of Anesthesiology at Duke University School of Medicine, with additional professorships in Neurobiology and Cell Biology. He serves as Director of the Center for Translational Pain Medicine and is a Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences. His extensive academic career spans over 25 years across multiple prestigious institutions including Duke University (2012-present), Harvard Medical School (1998-2012), Johns Hopkins Medical School, Karolinska Institute, and Peking University.

Dr. Ji's research focuses on identifying molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying pathological pain and developing novel pain therapeutics. His work centers on neuroimmune interactions, with specific interests in:

• How inflammation induces and resolves pain through immune cell interactions with sensory neurons
• Neuroinflammation driving chronic pain via glial cell activation in CNS and PNS
• Specialized pro-resolution mediators (SPMs) controlling pain through GPCR signaling
• Immunotherapies regulating pain through PD-L1/PD-1 and STING/IFN pathways
• Secreted miRNAs regulating pain via surface receptors and ion channels
• Nerve terminal interactions with cancers in chronic pain and itch
• Toll-like receptors in sensory neurons sensing danger signals
• Regenerative approaches for long-term pain relief

His recent publications show a strong trend toward translational pain research, with emphasis on neuroimmune mechanisms, specialized pro-resolving mediators, and novel therapeutic targets. Dr. Ji's work spans multiple pain conditions including chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, postoperative pain, inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, and cancer-related pain, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to understanding pain mechanisms across diverse conditions.

Dr. Ji has been recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate Analytics (Cross Field), reflecting his significant impact in the field. His research has led to numerous patents for translational studies in pain management.

As Director of the Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Dr. Ji provides scientific and administrative leadership for research projects. His lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies including animal behaviors, electrophysiology, molecular biology, cell biology, and transgenic animal models. His work has identified numerous therapeutic targets for pain management.

Dr. Ji leads the Center for Translational Pain Medicine at Duke, fostering collaboration across disciplines to advance pain research from bench to bedside. His team integrates expertise in neuroscience, immunology, molecular biology, and clinical pain management to develop innovative approaches for treating chronic pain conditions.