Tian Zhigang

Professor Tian Zhigang is a leading immunologist at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), serving as Founding Director of the Institute of Immunology and Dean of the School of Basic Medical Sciences. His research focuses on tumor immunotherapy, liver immunology, and natural killer (NK) cell biology, with groundbreaking discoveries in tissue-resident immune cells and NK cell metabolism.

• Ph.D. in Immunology (1989), Normal Bethune Medical University
• M.S. in Immunology (1985), Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences
• M.D. (1982), Shanxi Medical University

His work has elucidated mechanisms of NK cell exhaustion, mitochondrial dynamics in tumor immunosurveillance, and PD-1/PD-L1 interactions in liver immunity, contributing to novel cancer immunotherapy strategies. Articles span journals like Science, Nature Immunology, and Hepatology, with citations exceeding 18,585 (H-index 68).

• Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering (2017)
• Vcanbio Award for Life Sciences and Medicine (2021)
• National Science and Technology Awards (2019, 2011, 2008)
• Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Science and Technology Improvement Award (2015)

He founded the Institute of Immunology at USTC and co-founded the Shandong Cancer Biotherapy Center, serving as Founding President of USTC University Medical Center and Director of the Key Lab of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases.