Zheng Ye

Professor Zheng Ye is a leading immunologist at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, where he holds the Becky and Ralph S. O'Connor Chair at the NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis. Promoted to full Professor in April 2023, his research focuses on regulatory T (Treg) cells and their pivotal role in immune system regulation, with significant implications for autoimmune diseases and cancer immunotherapy.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University, Beijing, China
• PhD, Columbia University
• Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Washington
• Research Scholar, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
• Postdoctoral Fellow, National Cancer Institute

Dr. Ye's research centers on understanding how regulatory T cells maintain immune homeostasis through the transcription factor Foxp3. His groundbreaking work identified the CNS2 region of Foxp3 as critical for Treg cell stability, revealing how its disruption leads to autoimmune disease. His lab also investigates how nuclear hormone receptors modulate T cell differentiation, connecting metabolic state to immune function. Recent work demonstrates how obesity alters inflammatory disease pathology and treatment response, showing that metabolic changes fundamentally rewire immune responses. His research spans molecular mechanisms of gene regulation, chromatin architecture, and metabolite signaling in immune cells.

Analysis of Dr. Ye's publications (2019-2025) reveals an evolving research trajectory from fundamental Treg cell biology toward translational applications. Early work focused on Foxp3 regulation and chromatin architecture, while recent studies increasingly examine metabolic influences on immunity, particularly how nuclear receptors and microbial metabolites control T cell function. His research demonstrates growing emphasis on obesity-related immune dysfunction and the intersection of metabolism with autoimmune disease, with significant implications for developing targeted therapies.

Scientific Awards:

• Rita Allen Foundation Scholar Award (2010-2015)
• Becky and Ralph S. O'Connor Chair

Dr. Ye actively mentors a diverse research team including postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research assistants. His lab has received significant funding supporting research on Treg cells, autoimmune diseases, and cancer immunology. Notably, his work on obesity's impact on inflammatory disease revealed how metabolic state fundamentally alters immune cell function and treatment efficacy, challenging conventional approaches to inflammatory disease management.

The Zheng Lab operates as a collaborative research environment employing molecular, cellular, genetic, genomic, and pharmacological approaches to investigate T cell biology. Current research focuses on how metabolites influence Treg cell stability, how nuclear receptors regulate T cell differentiation, and how these mechanisms contribute to autoimmune diseases, cancer, and obesity-related inflammation. This work has significant implications for developing novel therapies that target immune regulation in multiple disease contexts.