Weiyi Peng

Weiyi Peng is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Houston. He was awarded the NSM Junior Faculty Award for Excellence in Research, highlighting his contributions to cancer immunotherapy and tumor biology. His work focuses on developing novel combination therapies targeting cancer's immune and metabolic vulnerabilities.

Research interests include immunotherapy resistance mechanisms, cytokine engineering for tumor eradication, and integrative omics approaches to identify therapeutic targets. He leads clinical trials investigating triplet immunotherapy regimens for melanoma and pancreatic cancer, emphasizing translational applications. His studies also explore the role of metabolic pathways like OXPHOS and glutaminolysis in T cell function.

Key projects involve AI-driven immune gene annotation and development of RIPK1 degraders to enhance antitumor immunity. His translational efforts include cytokine factories engineered to modulate tumor microenvironments safely in preclinical models. Collaborative programs like the Genetics Summer Program and STEGG-INTERACT highlight his commitment to training future scientists.

Award-winning research includes overcoming PTEN loss-driven immunotherapy resistance via PI3Kβ inhibitors and elucidating LRRK2's role in neuroimmune disorders. His work has been featured in high-impact journals and presented at international conferences, reflecting a robust pipeline from bench to bedside.