DEI Statement
The Zhang lab actively contributed to numerous DEI and outreach initiatives at U-M. As lab PI, I believe that creating an inclusive environment that values diversity is essential for advancing research in any field, and achieving so requires ongoing commitment. This is especially important for training graduate students, each of whom has unique strengths, challenges, and career goals that require tailored guidance.
Research Interest
The overarching goal of my lab is (i) to decipher the fascinating biology of diverse CRISPR-Cas systems in bacteria, and (ii) to convert their novel features into new biotechnologies and gene therapy strategies for treating human diseases. We use a multidisciplinary approach blending cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and animal models to uncover brand-new CRISPR systems from nature, invent gene-editing tools, and leverage CRISPR therapeutics to tackle a wide range of genetic disorders.