Jianzhu Chen

Jianzhu Chen is a Professor of Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), affiliated with the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Broad Institute, and Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART). He holds a PhD from Stanford University and a Bachelor's from Wuhan University. His research focuses on immune system mechanisms in health/disease, particularly cancer immunotherapy using engineered natural killer (NK) cells, macrophage reprogramming in tumors, and pathogen-host interactions.

Key affiliations include the Koch Institute (cancer research), Broad Institute (genomics), and SMART's Antimicrobial Resistance group. His lab develops CAR-NK therapies for leukemia, small-molecule drugs for macrophage modulation, and studies immune evasion in malaria. He co-founded New Paradigm Biosciences, InnDura Therapeutics, and ARV Technologies.

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s Degree: Wuhan University, China
  • PhD: Stanford University (Immunology)
  • Postdoctoral Training: Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital
• Research Focus:
  • CAR-NK cell therapy for cancer
  • Macrophage immunometabolism in tumors/inflammation
  • Host-pathogen interactions in malaria/dengue

His work bridges experimental immunology and computational biology, leveraging genomic data and animal models. Recent advancements include overcoming antibiotic resistance in Enterococcus and enhancing CAR-T specificity for AML.

• Awards: Cheryl Witlock Memorial Prize, Harcourt General New Investigator Award, Latham Career Development Award
• Advisory Roles: Scientific boards of Carcell, Joint Biosciences, Laurel Venture Capital

The Chen Lab collaborates on vaccine development (dengue, influenza) and humanized mouse models for disease studies. Their research has direct translational impact in oncology, infectious diseases, and immune-based therapies.