Xiaolan Zhao

Xiaolan Zhao, PhD, is a tenured Professor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, leading the Xiaolan Zhao Lab within the Molecular Biology Program. Her work focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of genome stability, DNA replication, DNA repair, and the DNA damage response, particularly through the lens of SUMOylation and chromosomal organization. She is committed to mentoring and training the next generation of scientists in a collaborative environment.

Education:

• PhD, Columbia University

Research Interests:
Dr. Zhao's lab investigates the 3Rs: DNA replication, repair, and damage response. These processes are essential for maintaining genome integrity and preventing diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and developmental disorders. The lab uses multi-disciplinary approaches including genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, structural biology, and genomics to uncover how cells safeguard their genetic material under stress and during normal growth.

Key research areas include:

• Mechanisms of genome duplication under normal and stress conditions
• DNA repair processes following genotoxic exposure
• DNA damage response systems and their signaling pathways
• Smc5/6 complex in replication and repair
• SUMO-based DNA damage response (DDIS)

Scientific Awards:

• Bressler Scholar, Alfred W. Bressler Scholar Endowment Fund
• Research Scholar, American Cancer Society
• Scholar, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Lab Environment & Mentorship:
The Zhao lab provides a nurturing and collaborative environment for trainees at all levels. Former lab members have gone on to establish independent research groups and leadership roles in academia, biotech, and non-profits. Current lab members include graduate students, postdocs, research scientists, and undergraduates, all contributing to cutting-edge discoveries in genome maintenance.