Zheng Xing

Zheng Xing is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Minnesota, affiliated with the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Host-Pathogen Interface Biology research cluster. He is actively involved in research, teaching, and mentoring, and is accepting PhD students for projects in molecular virology and viral pathogenesis.

Education:

• PhD, Cornell University
• MS, Cancer Cell Biology, Cornell University
• MS, Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University
• B. Med, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China

Postdoctoral Training:

• University of California, Berkeley
• University of Pennsylvania

His primary research interests lie in virology and immunology, with a focus on virus-host interactions in emerging pathogens such as Influenza A (H5N1), Zika virus, and Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV). His work explores mechanisms of viral replication, immune evasion, inflammasome activation, and cell death pathways in infected host cells.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on zoonotic and avian viruses, particularly their pathogenicity and host immune responses. Key themes include inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, and the role of viral non-structural proteins in modulating host defenses. His research spans molecular virology, immunopathology, and translational applications in animal and public health.

Scientific Awards and Recognitions:

• No specific awards listed in the provided text.

Grants and Advising:

Dr. Xing has been a Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Investigator (CoI) on multiple federally funded research projects, including grants from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. His current and past projects focus on the pathogenicity and prevention of H5N1 avian influenza and zoonotic disease defense. He mentors graduate students and is actively involved in training the next generation of virologists and immunologists.

Laboratories and Research Teams:

He is a key member of the Host-Pathogen Interface Biology cluster at the University of Minnesota, collaborating with researchers such as Dr. Carol Cardona. His lab investigates molecular mechanisms of viral infection and host immune responses, using in vitro and in vivo models to study viral pathogenesis and develop intervention strategies.