Zhi-Chun Lai

Zhi-Chun Lai is a Professor of Biology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Pennsylvania State University, affiliated with the Department of Biology and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. His research focuses on the Hippo signaling pathway, cell growth regulation, and cancer genetics. He holds a Ph.D. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine (1989), an M.S. from the same institution (1985), and a B.S. from Peking University (1982). Postdoctoral training was conducted at the University of California, Berkeley.

His research investigates how the Hippo pathway controls tissue growth and organ size through tumor suppressors like Mats and Wts/Lats kinases. Key discoveries include the role of Mats as a coactivator of Wts kinase and its conserved function across species. Collaborations, such as with Dr. K.-L. Guan’s lab at UC San Diego, have advanced understanding of Hippo signaling in mammals, including YAP/Yki’s oncogenic roles. Zebrafish studies further validate Mats’ evolutionary conserved role in growth control.

Awards include the Global Classroom Award (2011) and the March of Dimes Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Award (1996–1998). The Lai Lab employs Drosophila, zebrafish, and mammalian models to study Hippo signaling’s interplay with cancer, development, and cellular processes like apoptosis and N-glycosylation. Current work explores Yap1’s protective roles in beta-cell survival and novel CRISPR-based genome engineering approaches.