Wei Kong

Dr. Wei Kong is a Research Associate Professor at Arizona State University's Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery. She serves as faculty for the Fulton Grand Challenges Scholars Program in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and as honors faculty for Barrett, the Honors College at ASU. Her research bridges multiple disciplines including biotechnology, vaccinology, and immunotherapy with a focus on developing innovative microbial-based solutions for global health challenges.

Dr. Kong earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics of Bacteria from Kyushu University, Japan in 2000. Her research interests center on biotechnology, vaccinology, and immunotherapy, with specific expertise in developing microbes-based vaccines and cancer therapeutics. She specializes in the design, construction, and evaluation of vaccines to elicit protective host immune responses in both animals and humans, bacteria-based cancer vaccines and therapeutics, and gut-beneficial bacteria-based therapeutics for neurological disorders. Her work also explores mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis and host immune responses to infections and vaccines.

Dr. Kong's recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory from fundamental bacterial pathogenesis research toward translational applications in vaccine and cancer therapy development. Her work consistently focuses on genetically modified Salmonella Typhimurium (GMS) as delivery vehicles, with increasing emphasis on self-destructing features for biological containment and tumor-targeting capabilities. The research shows progression from vaccine development toward cancer immunotherapy and neurological disorder treatments.

• Member of the National Academy of Inventor (2019)
• Multiple Faculty Honoree recognitions from Skysong Innovations for U.S. patents (2016-2019)
• Prairie Excellence Award from Inner Mongolia, China (2014)
• Faculty of 1000 recognition in Microbiology and Biology (2008-2013)

Dr. Kong has secured significant research funding as Principal Investigator, including NIH/NCI R21 grants for cancer therapy development, ASU Women & Philanthropy Awards, and multiple pharmaceutical company collaborations. Her service includes chairing and reviewing for prestigious study sections including NIH Translational Immuno-Oncology, DOD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, and the Military Infections Diseases Research Program. She actively mentors undergraduate researchers through multiple ASU programs including SOLUR, SIP, and Barrett Honors College thesis committees.

As Director of the Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery research group, Dr. Kong leads a team focused on developing self-destructing Salmonella-based delivery systems for vaccines and cancer therapeutics. Her team has pioneered approaches using genetically modified Salmonella as vehicles to deliver protective antigens, DNA vaccines, and cancer therapeutics with built-in biological containment features.