معرفی
Qun Sophia Zang is an Associate Professor at the Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Her primary affiliation is the Burn & Shock Trauma Research Institute and the Center for Translational Research and Education. Her research focuses on sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction, mitochondrial biology, and autophagy mechanisms. Dr. Zang leads a multidisciplinary team investigating how mitochondrial-derived danger signals (DAMPs) and metabolic reprogramming contribute to multi-organ failure in sepsis. Her work combines preclinical models with clinical insights to identify novel therapeutic targets.
Research Interests: Dr. Zang's lab explores the role of autophagy factors like Beclin-1 in mitochondrial quality control, metabolic plasticity shifts in sepsis, and age-related susceptibility to septic cardiomyopathy. Current projects include studying Beclin-1's regulation of mitophagy, mitochondrial-associated membranes (MAMs), and how myocardial metabolites interact with immune cells during infection.
Publications: Her recent work emphasizes mitochondrial dysfunction in sepsis, autophagy-protective strategies, and sex-based differences in cardiac responses to inflammation. Her methods include genetic models, targeted metabolomics, and translational studies using neonatal/elderly sepsis models.
Affiliations: Active member of the Burn & Shock Trauma Research Institute, Loyola's Center for Translational Research, and collaborates with clinical teams on translational medicine initiatives. Funded by NIH grants focusing on sepsis pathophysiology and cardiac protection mechanisms.
Labs/Teams: Directs a lab focused on mitochondrial biology and sepsis, training students in preclinical disease modeling and interdisciplinary research.
