Yuxiang Wang | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Yuxiang Wang | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yuxiang Wang, Fudan University, China

Dr. Yuxiang Wang is a Principal Investigator and Ph.D. Supervisor at Fudan University, with an extensive background in molecular biology, oncology, and translational medicine. He earned his Ph.D. in Developmental and Molecular Biology from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he worked under the mentorship of Dr. Jeffrey W. Pollard. Following this, he completed a prestigious research fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Wang has built a strong academic and clinical research portfolio, focusing on gliomas and muscular dystrophy. His work utilizes state-of-the-art preclinical models and CRISPR screening technologies to identify novel therapeutic strategies. Dr. Wang is a recipient of numerous honors, including the MSK Society Scholar Award and Shanghai Leading Overseas Talent recognition. He actively collaborates with clinicians to translate lab discoveries into patient therapies, and his prolific publication record reflects deep scientific rigor and innovation.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Strong Research Track Record
    Dr. Wang has published in top-tier journals such as Nature Communications, Science Advances, Cancer Research, and PNAS. His publication record demonstrates consistency, depth, and high impact across multiple domains including glioma biology and gene therapy.

  2. Dual Research Focus
    He leads research in two distinct yet critical biomedical areas—malignant gliomas and muscular dystrophy. This breadth shows versatility and the ability to manage complex translational programs.

  3. Innovative Techniques
    Dr. Wang effectively applies CRISPR-based genetic screening, preclinical mouse models, and patient-derived cell lines—cutting-edge tools that reflect a forward-thinking, high-tech research approach.

  4. International Research Background
    His training and professional experience in both the U.S. (at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center) and China make him a bridge between Western and Eastern biomedical research ecosystems.

  5. Leadership and Mentorship
    Serving as both Principal Investigator and Ph.D. Supervisor, and having been Vice Director at a major clinical research center, Dr. Wang shows strong leadership and a commitment to research training.

  6. Recognitions and Awards
    Prestigious honors such as the Shanghai Leading Overseas Talent, Shanghai Pujiang Talent, and MSK Society Scholar Award (twice) underline peer recognition and scientific excellence.

🛠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Clinical Translation and Implementation
    While his preclinical work is strong, more details or evidence on how these findings have progressed toward clinical trials or therapeutic products could further strengthen his translational profile.

  2. Interdisciplinary Collaborations
    Expanding collaborations across fields like bioengineering, immunotherapy, or computational biology may add further value and broaden research impact.

  3. Visibility and Outreach
    Increasing visibility through keynote lectures, patents, or public datasets could enhance his reputation globally and support broader dissemination of his work.

  4. Grants and Funding Portfolio
    While not detailed in the CV, highlighting national/international grant leadership or participation would provide insight into his ability to secure and manage competitive research funding.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Yuxiang Wang holds a distinguished academic background across leading institutions. He completed his Ph.D. in Developmental and Molecular Biology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine (2008–2014), under Dr. Jeffrey W. Pollard, focusing on hormone signaling and uterine biology. Before that, he earned a Master of Sciences from Fudan University (2004–2007), mentored by Dr. Bo Chen, where he explored hormone interactions in reproductive biology. He began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Sciences from the Ocean University of China (2000–2004), majoring in life sciences. This robust education laid the foundation for his later success in cancer biology and translational research. Throughout his academic path, Dr. Wang has demonstrated a consistent focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying human diseases, especially cancer and genetic disorders. His education, blending rigorous laboratory work and clinical relevance, has uniquely positioned him for cutting-edge biomedical research.

💼 Experience:

Dr. Wang currently serves as Principal Investigator and Ph.D. Supervisor at Fudan University’s School of Basic Medical Sciences (2020–present), where he leads research on gliomas and muscular dystrophy. From 2021 to 2023, he also held the position of Vice Director of the Research Department at the Clinical Research Center of the Affiliated Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, coordinating clinical and translational projects. Prior to his return to China, Dr. Wang worked as a Research Fellow at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (2015–2020), collaborating with Dr. Timothy Chan and Dr. Jason Huse on the molecular basis of brain tumors and treatment resistance. His career bridges fundamental science and clinical applications, with a focus on leveraging genetic models and CRISPR technologies to uncover therapeutic targets. Dr. Wang’s international experience and leadership in high-impact research programs underscore his contributions to biomedical innovation and mentorship.

🏅 Awards and Honors:

Dr. Yuxiang Wang’s outstanding scientific contributions have been recognized through several prestigious awards. He was named a Shanghai Leading Overseas Talent (2020) and a Shanghai Pujiang Talent (2020), highlighting his excellence in international scientific exchange and leadership. While at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, he was twice awarded the MSK Society Scholar Award (2018, 2019), which recognizes exceptional postdoctoral researchers demonstrating strong potential for independent academic careers. These accolades underscore Dr. Wang’s commitment to impactful research, innovation in therapeutic development, and mentorship of young scientists. His ability to translate fundamental research into preclinical and potentially clinical solutions sets him apart as a research leader. These honors reflect peer recognition of both the depth and translational potential of his work in oncology and genetic diseases.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Wang’s research centers on two critical areas: malignant gliomas and muscular dystrophy. In glioma studies, his team investigates the cooperative role of IDH and ATRX mutations using CRISPR-based genetic screening in mouse models to identify synthetic lethal targets—genes whose inhibition can selectively kill tumor cells with specific mutations. This strategy opens doors to novel, mutation-specific therapies with minimal harm to healthy cells. In muscular dystrophy, Dr. Wang focuses on rare genetic mutations affecting glycosylation pathways, utilizing patient-derived cells and animal models to evaluate gene therapy and genome editing solutions. His work seeks not only to understand disease mechanisms but also to bridge the lab-to-clinic gap. A long-term objective is to offer personalized therapies for patients with genetically defined diseases. The integration of molecular biology, translational research, and therapeutic innovation defines his approach.

📚 Publication Top Notes: 

  1. 🧬 Genetically Engineered Mouse Models Unveil Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies for GMPPB-Associated Dystroglycanopathy – Nature Communications (under revision)

  2. 🧠 PRICKLE4 Underlies IDH mutant Tumor Resistance against PARP Inhibition – Advanced Science (under revision)

  3. 🧫 Comprehensively characterizing eRNA in immune cells to screen combinational strategies for anti-cancer immunotherapy – Cancer Research (2025)

  4. 🔬 Targeting therapeutic vulnerabilities with PARP inhibition and radiation in IDH-mutant gliomas and cholangiocarcinomas – Science Advances

  5. 🧬 G-quadruplex DNA drives genomic instability and represents a targetable molecular abnormality in ATRX-deficient malignant glioma – Nature Communications

  6. 🧪 Mutant-IDH1-dependent chromatin state reprogramming, reversibility, and persistence – Nature Genetics

  7. 🧠 Atrx inactivation drives disease-defining phenotypes in glioma cells of origin through global epigenomic remodeling – Nature Communications

  8. 🧬 Activation of protein synthesis in mouse uterine epithelial cells by estradiol-17β is mediated by a PKC–ERK1/2–mTOR signaling pathway – PNAS

  9. 🔬 GSK-3β mediates in the progesterone inhibition of estrogen-induced cyclin D2 nuclear localization and cell proliferation in cyclin D1−/− mouse uterine epithelium – FEBS Letters

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. Yuxiang Wang is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. He demonstrates:

  • A clear and sustained record of scientific excellence,

  • Deep expertise in cancer biology and rare disease genetics,

  • Use of innovative methodologies, and

  • Leadership in both academic and clinical research environments.

His contributions to understanding the molecular basis of gliomas and developing targeted therapies for muscular dystrophy have significant implications for personalized medicine. With continued development in clinical translation and interdisciplinary reach, he stands out as a leader of the next generation of biomedical scientists.

Zhijie Chang | Extracellular Vesicles | Cell Communication Award

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Prof. Zhijie Chang | Extracellular Vesicles | Cell Communication Award

Prof. Zhijie Chang, Tsinghua University, China

Professor Zhijie Chang is a distinguished molecular biologist and tenured professor at the School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing. His research spans cancer signaling pathways, extracellular vesicle-mediated communication, and stem cell therapy, especially in lung diseases and tumor biology. A seasoned scholar, Dr. Chang earned his Ph.D. in Animal Genetics and Breeding before undertaking postdoctoral training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is currently a respected editor of FEBS Letters and a leader in molecular oncology in China. His recent works highlight the role of CREPT, Smad signaling, and macrophage modulation in cancer and fibrosis. Through decades of academic and translational research, he has significantly advanced our understanding of cell communication in disease contexts. With an extensive publication record in top journals, Dr. Chang remains a leading figure in Asia’s biomedical research landscape.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Pioneering Contributions in Cell Communication
    Prof. Chang’s research on CREPT, Smad proteins, NF-κB/Nrf2, and BMP signaling has directly advanced the understanding of how intracellular and intercellular communication impacts disease progression, especially in cancer and pulmonary disorders.

  2. High-Impact Publications
    He has numerous peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals such as Nature Communications, Molecular Cancer, Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, and Journal of Biological Chemistry, many of which explore molecular and cellular communication in cancer and tissue repair.

  3. Translational Focus
    His integration of mesenchymal stem cell therapy, extracellular vesicles, and gene therapy reflects a strong translational approach, applying basic science to therapeutic innovations—a critical criterion for this award.

  4. Scientific Leadership and Mentorship
    As a tenured professor at Tsinghua University and editor at FEBS Letters, Prof. Chang is a leader in biomedical research and scientific dissemination, actively contributing to academic growth and mentorship.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. More Global Recognition
    While well-known in Chinese biomedical circles and respected internationally through publications, increased involvement in global consortia or leadership in international collaborations would further solidify his global scientific footprint.

  2. Public/Community Science Engagement
    Enhancing visibility through public lectures, science communication platforms, or policy advisory roles could broaden the societal impact of his work.

  3. Data-Sharing and Open Science Practices
    Encouraging or highlighting open-access datasets, repositories, or reproducible workflows would align with best practices in modern cell communication research.

🎓 Education:

Professor Zhijie Chang began his academic journey at Northwestern Agricultural University in Yangling, China, where he earned his B.Sc. (1978–1982) in Animal Science. He then continued at the same institution to obtain a combined M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Animal Genetics and Breeding from 1982 to 1989. His graduate research laid the foundation for his future in molecular biology, signaling studies, and genetics. Seeking international exposure and advanced training, he undertook postdoctoral research from March 1997 to October 1998 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA, in the Department of Pathology. There, he specialized in the BMP signaling pathway, gaining expertise in molecular signaling processes critical to cell communication. This blend of domestic and international education has equipped Dr. Chang with both the technical rigor and global perspective needed to pioneer breakthroughs in biomedical science.

💼 Professional Experience:

Professor Zhijie Chang has held a full professorship at Tsinghua University’s School of Medicine since June 2005, where he investigates cancer-related signaling mechanisms. Before this, he completed postdoctoral research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, focusing on BMP signaling, which strengthened his understanding of developmental and pathological cell signaling. Over the years, he has built a highly productive research lab, contributed extensively to translational medicine, and trained numerous doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. As an editor of FEBS Letters, he also contributes to scientific publishing and peer-review processes. His roles across academia, research, and editorial boards mark him as a multifaceted scientist whose work bridges laboratory insights and therapeutic applications. His collaborative style and consistent research funding reflect his leadership and innovation in molecular oncology and regenerative medicine.

🏅 Awards and Honors:

Professor Zhijie Chang has been recognized multiple times by the Chinese Cell Biology Society for his high-impact publications. In 2003, he received the First Merit Paper Award for his groundbreaking research on hSef-mediated MAPK signaling inhibition in J. Biol. Chem. In 2005, he earned the Third Merit Paper Award for his study on CHIP-mediated degradation of Smad proteins, published in Mol. Cell. Biol.. These awards underscore his early and sustained contributions to deciphering molecular signaling pathways involved in cell communication, differentiation, and oncogenesis. His recent recognitions include publications in top-tier journals like Nature Communications, Molecular Cancer, and Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, indicating the continued relevance and innovation of his work. His role as an editor for FEBS Letters further highlights his stature in the field and dedication to advancing cell biology research at national and international levels.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Zhijie Chang’s research primarily investigates cellular communication in cancer and inflammatory diseases, with a focus on CREPT, Smad proteins, and extracellular vesicles. His work dissects how tumor-derived signals modulate the tumor microenvironment, metastasis, and immune cell behavior. He has made critical discoveries regarding the role of CREPT in chromatin looping and transcriptional regulation, especially in triple-negative breast cancer. In pulmonary fibrosis models, he has shown how umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) modulate macrophage activity via secreted vesicles. Another major area is his exploration of Smurf1, PDK1–Akt, and JAK/STAT3 signaling axes, targeting them for therapeutic intervention in various cancers. His translational approach integrates gene therapy, stem cell-based treatments, and protein signaling studies, bridging basic and clinical sciences. Through collaborative and interdisciplinary methods, Dr. Chang contributes valuable insights into how cells communicate and respond in disease settings.

📚 Publication Top Notes:

  1. 📘 CREPT is required for the metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer through a co-operational-chromatin loop-based gene regulation

  2. 🧪 Clinical investigation on nebulized human umbilical cord MSC-derived extracellular vesicles for pulmonary fibrosis treatment

  3. 🧬 Gene Therapy with Enterovirus 3C Protease: A Promising Strategy for Various Solid Tumors

  4. 🌬 Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells preferentially modulate macrophages to alleviate pulmonary fibrosis

  5. ⚡ CREPT upregulates the antioxidant genes via activation of NF-κB/Nrf2 in acute liver injury

  6. 🔁 An oncoprotein CREPT functions as a co-factor in MYC-driven transformation and tumor growth

  7. 🎯 Targeting Smurf1 to block PDK1–Akt signaling in KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer

  8. 📤 Microenvironment-induced CREPT expression by cancer-derived small extracellular vesicles primes field cancerization

  9. 🔋 Oxidative phosphorylation safeguards pluripotency via UDP-N-acetylglucosamine

  10. 🍄 Lachnochromonin, a fungal metabolite from Lachnum virgineum, inhibits cell growth and promotes apoptosis in tumor cells through JAK/STAT3 signaling

🧾 Conclusion:

Professor Zhijie Chang exhibits a robust and well-established career built on investigating mechanisms of cell signaling, tumor microenvironment dynamics, and intercellular communication. His scientific rigor, translational impact, and leadership in the field of cell communication make him an outstanding candidate for the Research for Cell Communication Award. Addressing some broader outreach and open science practices could further elevate his profile, but his contributions to foundational and applied research in this domain are already exemplary.