Our Team
Meet our principal investigator, Faith (Yuanyuan) Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., and our team of scientists, researchers and students.
Meet the Principal Investigator
Faith Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Zhang is a radiation oncologist specializing in thoracic malignancies and a scientist with expertise in metabolism and radiobiology. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology. Her interest in metabolism led her to the United States to pursue nutritional science at Cornell University and engage in post-baccalaureate research in the laboratory of Dr. Paul Greengard (Nobel Laureate, 2000). Subsequently, she completed the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, focusing on lipid and glucose metabolism under the mentorship of Drs. Mike Brown and Joseph Goldstein (Nobel Laureates, 1984). Driven by her passion for oncology, she completed a transitional year at Memorial Sloan Kettering and pursued a Radiation Oncology Residency at UT Southwestern.
During her residency, she participated in Holman's research pathway and advanced to a CTSA KL2 faculty investigator in the laboratory of Dr. Ralph DeBerardinis. Over this period, Dr. Zhang developed further expertise in cancer metabolism and radiobiology, laying the foundation for her current lab. Dr. Zhang also maintains an active clinical practice, caring for patients with cancer and heterotopic ossification, and developing clinical studies involving immuno-oncology and metabolic imaging.
Dr. Zhang is deeply passionate about mentoring and empowering the next generation of physicians and scientists. She is dedicated to nurturing a vibrant and inclusive laboratory culture. Beyond the lab and clinic, Dr. Zhang finds joy in cherishing moments with her two boys and restoring vintage vehicles with her husband.
Lab Members
Zengfu Shang, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
Dr. Shang earned his Ph.D. from the Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine and completed postdoctoral research in the laboratory of Benjamin Chen at UT Southwestern. As a classically trained radiobiologist, his research interests span the molecular mechanisms of radiation-induced DNA damage repair, cell cycle dynamics, and chromatin biology to developing innovative methods for radiosensitizing cancers and protecting normal tissues from radiation damage. Since 2023, Dr. Shang has dedicated a portion of his time to the Zhang Lab where is work focuses on investigating the metabolic and epigenetic regulation of DNA damage response to radiation in both malignant and non-malignant conditions.
Apart from his scientific endeavors, Dr. Shang enjoys spending quality time with his family, reading, watching movies, and traveling.
Meng-Lun Hsieh, D.O., Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Hsieh is a chief resident in the radiation oncology residency program. She earned her DO and Ph.D. at Michigan State University through the NIH Graduate Partnership Program. She conducted doctoral research in the laboratories of Dr. Christopher Waters (Michigan State) and Dr. Deborah Hilton (NIH), focusing on understanding how small secondary messenger signaling molecules imparted large conformational changes within the activated transcription complex to inhibit bacterial biofilm formation. Dr. Hsieh joined the Zhang Lab in 2023. Under the joint mentorship of Dr. Zhang and Dr. Benjamin Levi (Department of Surgery), Dr. Hsieh is investigating the impact of radiation on the trauma microenvironmental HO progenitor cells’ osteogenic fate as a mechanism to prevent HO formation. Connecting benchtop with bedside, Dr. Hsieh also spearheads the collection of biospecimens from patients who receive radiation for heterotopic ossification, with the goal of validating her research findings and translating them into clinical testing.
Dr. Hsieh aspires to become an academic physician-scientist leading an independent research program while caring for patients, just like her two mentors. Outside of patient care and lab research, she loves spending time with her husband, baby, and two doodles (a goldendoodle and mastiff poodle mix).
Jui-Chung (Rachel) Chiang, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Chiang earned her Ph.D. in biology from National Taiwan University, with support from the Taiwan National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). For her doctoral research, Dr. Chiang investigated the role of lysophosphatidic acid in erythroid differentiation and mitochondrial homeostasis in premature aging in the laboratories of Dr. Hsinyu Lee (Taiwan) and Dr. Benjamin Chen (UT Southwestern). In 2022, Dr. Chiang joined the Zhang lab as a postdoctoral fellow. Her current research focuses on elucidating the function of Lipotransferase 1 (LIPT1) in DNA damage repair and oxidative stress response. Additionally, to shed light on unexpected finding from a phase 2 clinical trial led by Dr. Zhang, Dr. Chiang boldly employs a humanized mice model of non-small cell lung cancer to investigate the therapeutic potential of radiation and immunotherapy and their impact to the microenvironment.
Dr. Chiang envisions a career in biochemical research where she can make the greatest impact. Beyond her scientific pursuits, she loves spending time with her two cats, Toffee and Muffin, nurturing her garden roses, and exploring the wonders of the world through travel.
Ciara Newman, B.S.
Research Technician
Originally from Chicago, Ciara earned her B.S. in biochemistry from Illinois State University. Driven by her interest in cancer biology, Ciara joined the Department of Radiation Oncology as a research technician in 2021 and became a member of the Zhang lab in 2023. In addition to general lab maintenance duties, Ciara works closely with our collaborators to establish an ultrasensitive, optical imaging-guided, orthotopic model for locally advanced lung cancer, with the goal of using this tool to understand lymph node metastasis and test novel therapeutics.
Ciara has set her mind on pursuing graduate studies in the realm of cancer biology in the future. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, creating art, and being in nature.
Michelle Phu
Student Intern
Michelle is a recent high school graduate of Greenhill School in Addison, Texas, and is transitioning to embark on an exciting academic journey at New York University. She plans to major in public health on the pre-health track. For two consecutive years, Michelle has joined the Zhang Lab as a summer intern. Under the guidance of Dr. Chiang, she is investigating the synergistic effects of radiotherapy and immunology. This experience has not only honed her analytical skills but also ignited a deep fascination with cellular metabolism, a subject she eagerly anticipates pursuing further in her collegiate studies. Michelle is also deeply interested in disability studies especially in the healthcare setting and how it impacts the providers as well as the patient communities.
Beyond her academic pursuits, she finds joy in singing, writing, and spending time with her family.
Our Values and Culture
Diversity is not just a core value but a driving force behind our research excellence. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community of researchers. We strive to build a safe, supportive culture and environment where various perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences are celebrated and channeled to enhance creativity and innovation.
Wellness is at the heart of our culture, where successes and failures are celebrated alike, acknowledging that setbacks are integral to the innovation process. Our approach to productivity prioritizes effective time management, collaboration, and clear communication. To enhance the positive work atmosphere, we offer amenities such as a dedicated snack bar, beverage fridge, and ice maker. Regular lab socials provide opportunities for team members to socialize and build strong bonds.
Shared leadership is ingrained in our practice, with each member actively engaging in scheduled lab progress assessments, goal-setting, and collaborative planning within our team and with other labs. Esteemed as scientists, every team member upholds the highest standards of scientific rigor and integrity. Taking personal ownership of solving scientific questions, each individual is dedicated to sharing results through proficient scientific writing, presentations, and effective communication with the broader public.
Alumni
| Name | Zhang Lab Role | Current Position |
|---|---|---|
| Michelle Phu | Summer intern, 2023 | High school student |