Qian Shen

Qian Shen serves as Associate Professor of Biology in the Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Rhodes College, where research focuses on microbial pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions. Affiliated with The Frazier Jelke Science Center, Shen maintains an active research program investigating intracellular survival mechanisms of fungal pathogens.

Educational background includes:

• Ph.D. from Ohio State University
• M.S. from Mississippi State University

Research interests center on Fungal Pathogenesis and Intracellular Microbial Metabolism, particularly how Histoplasma capsulatum adapts to macrophage environments through nutrient acquisition (carbon, nitrogen, sulfur) and CO₂ sensing. Additional work explores Antimicrobial Peptides derived from wasp venom and microbiome interactions in disease models. Key methodologies include molecular genetics, host-pathogen interaction assays, and metabolic pathway analysis.

Publication trends reveal concentrated expertise in fungal virulence mechanisms (75% of recent work), with significant contributions to understanding nutrient scavenging in phagosomes and CO₂-mediated virulence regulation. Secondary research streams include antimicrobial peptide engineering and microbiome modulation in cancer/diabetes models.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Featured on Science Trends (2018) for PLoS Pathogens paper on copper restriction in phagosomes

Teaching responsibilities encompass foundational biology courses (BIOL 130/131) and advanced research mentorship (BIOL 451-453), though specific student advisement details and grant funding information are not publicly documented. Research operations appear centered on molecular microbiology laboratory capabilities within the institutional science facility.