Shi Yufang

Shi Yufang holds multiple prominent academic and administrative roles. Currently, he is a Professor and Secretary of the TOR Centre of Excellence at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Vice President of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, and Director of the Soochow University Institutes for Translational Medicine. He also serves as Editor-in-Chief of Cell Death & Disease (Nature Publishing Group) and has held leadership positions at institutions including Rutgers University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

• Key roles: Editor-in-Chief (Cell Death & Disease), Director (Soochow Institutes), Vice President (Soochow Hospital)
• International advisory roles: Chair of China's 973 Program on Reproduction & Development, Rector's Medical Genetics Advisory Committee (Tor Vergata)

Education: Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Alberta.

Research focuses on mesenchymal stem cells' immunomodulatory properties, tumor microenvironment interactions, and translational applications in inflammatory diseases. Pioneered concepts like 'inflammation licensing' and 'cell empowerment' in stem cell therapy. Published over 210 papers in journals such as Nature, Science, and Cell Stem Cell, with a h-index of 77.

• Notable contributions: AICD in T cells, opioid-induced immunosuppression, and mTOR inhibitor mechanisms in cancer therapy

Scientific Awards: Recognized as a National Distinguished Expert in China, recipient of the Chinese Society of Cell Biology Excellence Award (2016), and honored with the Outstanding Young Scholar award (1999).

Advising & Grants: Spearheaded the Institute of Health Sciences at CAS, advised national science policies, and secured grants including a China-funded project (since 2018). Supervised collaborations with European institutions like the University of Bern and University of Rome Tor Vergata.

Labs/Teams: Leads research groups at the Institute of Health Sciences (CAS), Soochow Institutes for Translational Medicine, and the TOR Centre of Excellence in Rome.