معرفی
Kezhong Zhang, PhD, is a Distinguished Professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine, holding appointments in the departments of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology. He is a leading authority in the fields of cellular stress responses, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and mitochondrial metabolism, with a focus on how these processes influence metabolic diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.
Education:
- PhD, Fudan University, 1998
Research Focus: Dr. Zhang's research delves into the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular stress responses originating from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. His laboratory investigates how these stress pathways modulate inflammation and metabolism, contributing to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases (such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes), autoimmune diseases (including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus), and cancer. Key projects include the study of CREBH as a liver-enriched stress sensor, the role of IRE1α in autoimmune inflammation, and the impact of airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) on hepatic metabolism and disease.
Scientific Awards and Honors:
- Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (Elected 2024)
- Distinguished Professor, Wayne State University (2024)
- Outstanding Research Achievement Award, Wayne State University School of Medicine (2022)
- Kamran S. Moghissi, M.D., Endowed Faculty Award in Basic Science Teaching (2020)
- Wayne State University Academy of Scholars (2020)
- Charles H. Gershenson Distinguished Faculty Fellow (2019)
- Distinguished Faculty, Wayne State University School of Medicine (2017)
- Career Development Chair, Wayne State University (2016)
- Fellow of the American Heart Association (2012)
- National Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award, China (2001)
Teaching and Mentorship: Dr. Zhang is actively involved in teaching and mentoring, serving as the course director and instructor for several graduate-level courses, including Molecular Organelle Physiology, Molecular Biology of Cellular Signaling, and Metabolism and Disease. He is currently accepting new Master’s and PhD students for the 2024–2025 academic year, fostering the next generation of researchers in molecular and cellular biology.
Laboratory and Team: The Zhang Laboratory is located in the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics at Wayne State University. The lab focuses on stress signaling and inflammatory responses from the ER and mitochondria, aiming to uncover novel therapeutic targets for metabolic and inflammatory diseases.
