Yun Zhang

I am an international student from Beijing, China. I received my B.A. from Wheaton College (Massachusetts) in 2019 with a major in Biochemistry and a minor in Computer Science. My undergraduate thesis project focused on studying the effect of HE4 protein on epithelial ovarian cancer progression using zebrafish embryos. I joined the PIBS program initially as a Biochemistry student and switched to Cancer Biology at the end of my PIBS year. I enjoy playing piano, sending/receiving postcards, collecting stamps, baking, and geocaching in my free time.

My dissertation research focuses on improving the molecular characterization of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) for the identification of specific targets associated with EAC progression, therapeutic resistance, and patient outcomes, combining bioinformatics analysis of human EAC datasets with basic science experimentation. Two major aims are included in my dissertation research: (I) the role of isoform switching events in EAC and (II) mechanisms of therapeutic resistance in EAC and intervention strategies for enhancing therapeutic response.

Cell culture, Bioinformatics, and Immunoblotting

2019 Tri-Beta Biological Sciences Honor Society Award

2018 American Chemical Society Undergraduate Award in Physical Chemistry

Targeting therapeutic resistance of esophageal adenocarcinoma through modulating the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition via NFB-mediated signaling. Y.Zhang, K.Weh, C.Howard, J.Riethoven, J.Clarke, M.Lee, K.Lagisetty, J.Lin, R.Reddy, A.Chang, D.Beer, and L.A.Kresty. AACR Annual Meeting 2023. Orlando, FL.

Mechanisms by which Mito-Ionidamine inhibits EGFR mutant lung cancer. K.Weh, C.Howard, Y.Zhang, J.Riethoven, J.Clarke, G.Cheng, B.Kalyanaraman, M.You and L.A.Kresty. AACR Annual Meeting 2023. Orlando, FL.

Mechanistic insights into how targeting Ionidamine to the mitochondria induces mitophagy in lung cancer. K.Weh, Y.Zhang, C.Howard, J.Riethoven, J.Clarke, M.Lee, B.Kalyanaraman, M.You and L.A.Kresty. The 33rd Annual Moses Gunn Research Conference (2022). Ann Arbor, MI.

Characterizing isoform switching events in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Y.Zhang, K.Weh, C.Howard, J.Riethoven, J.Clarke, K.Lagisetty, J.Lin, R.Reddy, A.Chang, D.Beer, and L.A.Kresty. AACR Annual Meeting 2022. Virtual.

Isoform Switching in Progression to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma. Y.Zhang, K.Weh, C.Howard, J.Riethoven, J.Clarke, K.Lagisetty, J.Lin, R.Reddy, A.Chang, D.Beer, and L.A.Kresty. BETRNet 10th Annual Steering Committee Meeting (2021). Virtual.

Proanthocyanidins enhance chemotherapy-induced esophageal adenocarcinoma cell death. Y.Zhang, K.Weh, C.Howard, K.Lagisetty, J.Lin, R.Reddy, A.Chang, and L.A.Kresty. The 30th International Conference on Polyphenols (2021). Virtual.

Proanthocyanidins enhance chemotherapy-induced esophageal adenocarcinoma cell death. Y.Zhang, K.Weh, C.Howard, K.Lagisetty, J.Lin, R.Reddy, A.Chang, and L.A.Kresty. AACR Annual Meeting 2021. Virtual.

Proanthocyanidins enhance chemotherapy-induced esophageal adenocarcinoma cell death. Y.Zhang, K.Weh, C.Howard, K.Lagisetty, J.Lin, R.Reddy, A.Chang, and L.A.Kresty. The 4th Think Tank on Advancing Gastroesophageal Cancer Research (2020). Virtual.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1fSO3QQrP7JgoL/bibliography/public/

• International Student