Hao Zhu

Hao Zhu is a Professor at the Children's Medical Center Research Institute (CRI) at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He serves as the Director of CRI's Tissue Regeneration Program and is a co-leader of the Development and Cancer Research Program in the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. As a medical oncologist, he treats hepatocellular carcinoma patients in the Multidisciplinary Liver Cancer Clinic at Parkland Memorial Hospital. Dr. Zhu holds the Nancy B. and Jake L. Hamon Distinguished Chair in Therapeutic Oncology Research.

• Children's Medical Center Research Institute (CRI) at UT Southwestern Medical Center
• Director, Tissue Regeneration Program
• Co-leader, Development and Cancer Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Medical Oncologist, Multidisciplinary Liver Cancer Clinic at Parkland Memorial Hospital

Dr. Zhu's research focuses on understanding how injury, regeneration, and wound healing influence organ function and cancer formation, using the liver as a model system. His laboratory believes that understanding somatic mosaicism is key to unraveling the complexities of wound healing. He employs human genomic approaches, in vivo genetic screening, and lineage tracing to investigate the functional implications of somatic mosaicism in chronic liver disease and liver cancer.

Analysis of Dr. Zhu's recent publications reveals a strong focus on somatic mutations in liver disease, clonal expansion, and the relationship between regeneration and cancer. His work spans multiple disciplines including genetics, hepatology, cancer biology, and regenerative medicine, with particular emphasis on understanding how genetic alterations in non-cancerous liver tissue can influence disease progression and cancer development.

• Burroughs Wellcome Career Award for Medical Scientists (2012)
• CPRIT Scholar Award (2012)
• Stand Up To Cancer Innovative Research Grant (2016)
• Mark Foundation Emerging Leader Award (2021)

Dr. Zhu has mentored numerous students and postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. His lab has received significant funding through various grants, including the CPRIT Scholar Award and Stand Up To Cancer grant. Current research in the Zhu Lab focuses on identifying the cellular sources of liver regeneration and cancer, understanding somatic mutations in liver disease, and exploring the relationship between regenerative capacity and cancer development.

Dr. Zhu leads the Zhu Lab, which consists of multiple researchers including postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research technicians. The lab collaborates with various institutions and has established itself as a leader in the field of liver regeneration and cancer biology.