Xin Cai, M.D., Ph.D., Principal Investigator
Education and Training
- AB/AM: Harvard University (advisor: Jack W. Szostak, Ph.D.)
- M.D./Ph.D.: UT Southwestern Medical Center (advisor: Zhijian James Chen, Ph.D.)
- Postdoc: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (advisor: Craig B. Thompson, M.D.)
- Internship: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Residency: Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Dr. Cai is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology. He received his BA in Chemistry and Physics and MA in Chemistry from Harvard, followed by his MD/PhD from UT Southwestern, where he studied mechanisms of innate immune and inflammasome signaling. Dr. Cai completed his Radiation Oncology residency at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he also completed a postdoc studying cancer metabolism. Dr. Cai returned to UTSW as faculty in 2023. In addition to studying metabolic signaling in the lab, he also treats patients with brain and spine tumors.
Gurveer Kaur, Research Technician
Education and Training
- B.S.: Southern Methodist University
Gurveer earned her B.S. in environmental engineering with a minor in math from Southern Methodist University in 2019. After working in civil engineering consulting for 3.5 years, she decided to pursue a career change in a more healthcare-focused field. Outside of working and studying, she enjoys going to yoga classes, reading, going to concerts (she’s a big Taylor Swift and Harry Styles fan), and spending time with her friends and family.
Yuan Tian, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow
Education and Training
- Ph.D.: China Agricultural University
- B.S.: Anhui Agricultural University
Dr. Tian received her Ph.D. degree in microbiology from China Agricultural University, where she studied the mechanisms of heterochromatin formation in Neurospora crassa with Dr. Qun He. Her work characterized casein kinase II as an important regulator for histone H3K9 and DNA methylation. Dr. Tian joined the Cai lab in 2024, where she is studying how metabolites function in epigenetic and transcriptional regulation. In her spare time she enjoys reading mystery novels and watching suspenseful movies.
Jun Zhou, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow
Education and Training
- Ph.D.: Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- B.S.: Nanjing Agricultural University
Dr. Zhou received his Ph.D. degree in cell biology from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, with the mentorship of Dr. Ye Tian. His Ph.D. project focused on the regulation of cross-organ mitochondrial homeostasis in Caenorhabditis elegans. His research found a GPCR in a pair of chemosensory neurons to coordinate the activation of the systemic mitochondrial unfolded protein response. He joined the Cai lab in 2025 to investigate the potential non-metabolic functions of various metabolites using multiple techniques. Additionally, Dr. Zhou loves running, dogs, clouds, and sunsets.
Former Members
Yousef Ashour, Student Intern
Yousef Ashour is currently a high school senior at Middlesex School in Concord, Massachusetts. He lives in Dallas, Texas, and boards at Middlesex.
He enjoys topics such as hematology and oncology and aspires to attend college with a social science degree on a pre-med track. Outside of school and study, he likes to run, visit art museums, visit botanical gardens, and listen to music! His favorite artists are Brent Faiyaz and Pharrell Williams.