Rui Kang

Rui Kang, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Surgery Department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms of pancreatic cancer, ferroptosis, and sepsis, with particular attention to tumor microenvironments and immunological pathways. She holds a medical degree and PhD from Chinese institutions (Xiangya School of Medicine and Norman Bethune College of Medicine) and completed postgraduate training at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. Dr. Kang’s work is supported by the NIH, and she contributes to editorial boards of oncology and gastroenterology journals.

Her research interests span pancreatic cancer biology, ferroptosis regulation, and the interplay between cell death mechanisms and immune responses. Notable areas include investigating how platelet activation hinders antitumor immunity, mitochondrial-driven ferroptosis pathways, and the role of glutathione metabolism in cancer therapy resistance. Recent studies explore novel cell death modalities like triaptosis and alkaliptosis, alongside metabolic drivers of disease progression.

Dr. Kang has authored dozens of peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, contributing to guidelines on ferroptosis detection and therapeutic strategies. Her work bridges basic science and clinical applications, emphasizing translational research in oncology and immunology.