Fengyi Wan

Fengyi Wan, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He also holds a joint appointment in the Molecular Microbiology and Immunology division. His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen-microbiota interactions in colon health and diseases, particularly mechanisms of signal transduction, RNA-binding proteins, colitis, and colon tumorigenesis.

Education:

• PhD, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2003)
• BS, Wuhan University (1999)

Research Interests: Wan's laboratory investigates how bacterial virulence factors manipulate host immune signaling (NF-κB, TAK1/IKK complex), epithelial barrier functions, and DNA damage responses. Current projects explore complement in breast milk modulating infant microbiota, genotoxins accelerating colon cancer, and adipokine signaling in inflammatory diseases.

Recent publications highlight his expertise in NF-κB regulation through bacterial effectors (NleC, NleH), ribosomal protein S3 interactions, and RNA-binding protein Sam68's role in DNA repair and cancer. His work spans mechanistic studies in mouse models of colitis, tumorigenesis, and radiation injury.

Scientific Recognition:

• Howard Temin Pathway to Independence Award (2008)
• American Cancer Society Research Scholar (2013)
• Johns Hopkins Catalyst Award (2017)
• Department of Defense Idea Development Award (2019)

Wan's team actively recruits postdoctoral researchers and collaborates with institutions on microbiota-inflammation-cancer axis studies. The lab is located at 615 N. Wolfe Street, Room W8515, Baltimore, MD 21205.