Zhimin Lu

Zhimin Lu is a Professor and Dean of the Institute of Translational Medicine at Zhejiang University, China, and holds the Kuancheng Wang Distinguished Chair. Previously, he served at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for 18 years as a Professor and Director of the Cancer Metabolism Program.

• Education: MD from Taishan Medical College, PhD from City University of New York, and postdoctoral training at The Salk Institute.

His research focuses on cancer metabolism, signal transduction, and molecular mechanisms of tumor progression. He pioneered discoveries on the non-metabolic roles of metabolic enzymes in cancer, including the protein kinase activity of PKM2, Warburg effect mechanisms, and histone modifications driven by metabolic enzymes.

His publications (over 120 peer-reviewed articles, including 40+ in Cell, Nature, and Science sister journals) reveal trends in oncogenic signaling, metabolic reprogramming, and epigenetic regulation. Key subfields include PKM2 dynamics, Warburg effect, tumor microenvironment, and metabolic-epigenetic crosstalk.

• Scientific Awards: Fellow of AAAS (2017), Dallas/Fort Worth Living Legend Award (2016), James S. McDonnell Foundation Scholar (2012), American Cancer Society Research Scholar (2009), and multiple MD Anderson awards.

He serves as Chief Editor for Metabolic Discovery and Visualized Cancer Medicine, Deputy Editor for the Journal of The National Cancer Center, and editorial board member for over 10 journals. His work has transformed understanding of cancer metabolism and its diagnostic/therapeutic applications.