Nina Zhang

I graduated from the Ohio State University in 2023 with a B.S. in Biology and minor in epidemiology. At OSU, I studied how citron kinase mediates the response to normal and oncogenic Ras signaling using the Caenorhabditis elegans model organism system. I joined the Cancer Biology program in 2023 and am also in the dual-degree Masters in Bioinformatics program. In my free time, I love to run, go to concerts, watch college football, and travel!

I am interested in cancer metabolism, tumor immunology, and immunometabolism, specifically how lipid-mediated alterations in the tumor microenvironment contribute to immune evasion.

Spectral Flow Cytometry, Cell Culture, Primary Immune Cell Isolation, Syngeneic Mouse Models, Genetically Engineered Mouse Models

Nina Zhang, Hannah Bell, Rashi Singhal, and Yatrik Shah. “Defining the role of microenvironmental lipids in modulating anti-tumor CD8+ T cell responses in colorectal cancer.” University of Michigan Dean’s Lecture Symposium: Metabolism Research from Bench to Bedside, Ann Arbor, MI. April 2025

Nina Zhang, Hannah Bell, Rashi Singhal, and Yatrik Shah. “Defining the role of exogenous lipids in decreasing the function of anti-tumor CD8+ T cells in colorectal cancer.” Keystone Symposia: Immunometabolism in Tissue Homeostasis and Diseases Conference, Keystone, CO. February 2025.

Nina Zhang, Rashi Singhal, and Yatrik Shah. “Defining the role of lipids in decreasing the function of anti-tumor CD8+ T cells in colorectal cancer.” University of Michigan Doctoral Program in Cancer Biology Retreat 2024, Ann Arbor, MI. September 2024.

Nina Zhang and Helen Chamberlin. “Uncovering the role of citk-1 in mediating the response to normal and oncogenic Ras signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans”. Denman Undergraduate Research Forum, Columbus, OH. March 2023.

Nina Zhang, Andrew Gabalis, and Sarina Rodriguez Rajput . “Investigating the sources of bioburden in the K132A fermentation process”. Eli Lilly M&Q Summer Intern Forum, Indianapolis, IN. August 2022.

Rogel Cancer Center Institutional Fellowship, 2024

Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant, 2024

miLead Consultant, 2024 - Present

Cancer Biology Admissions Committee Student Representative, 2024 - Present

Cancer Biology Student Seminar Chair, 2024 - Present