Nan Zhang

Nan Zhang, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program at The Wistar Institute's Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center, where he also serves as Scientific Director of the Imaging Facility. He joined Wistar in 2021 after completing his postdoctoral training at Washington University School of Medicine.

Dr. Zhang's research focuses on understanding how macrophages regulate tumor growth and metastasis in the peritoneal space, with particular emphasis on ovarian cancer. His lab employs cutting-edge techniques including single-cell sequencing, ATAC sequencing, large-scale imaging, multiphoton intravital imaging, and novel genetic mouse models to investigate macrophage heterogeneity and function.

His recent publications demonstrate groundbreaking work on myeloid activation therapy for metastatic ovarian cancer, revealing how β-glucan and interferon-gamma combination therapy can overcome chemoresistance. His research spans three main directions: myeloid activation therapy, the role of myeloid cells in chemoresistance, and microenvironmental factors controlling macrophage heterogeneity.

Dr. Zhang has received significant recognition including:

• NIH Pathway to Independence Award
• V Scholar Award
• Conquer Cancer Now Award
• DoD Ovarian Cancer Academy Early-Career Investigator Award
• V Foundation Award ($600,000)

He actively mentors several postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers. His lab collaborates extensively with institutions including Kyoto University, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and multiple US universities. Dr. Zhang's work represents a promising new approach to treating metastatic ovarian cancer through macrophage-based immunotherapies.