Postdoctoral Fellows
Postdoctoral Fellow: Fan Cheng, Ph.D.
E-mail: fancheng@usc.edu
Research projects:
Identification of cellular pathways activated during KSHV acute infection and those that are essential for KSHV infection with the ultimate goal to better understand virus-host interactions and identify potential anti-viral therapeutic targets.
Postdoctoral Fellow: Marion Gruffaz, Ph.D.
E-mail: gruffaz@usc.edu
Research projects:
1. Role of host innate immunity in KSHV-induced inflammation, angiogenesis, cellular transformation and tumorigenesis.
2. High content screening for novel inhibitors targeting KSHV-induced oncogenic addiction.
Postdoctoral Fellow: Meilan He, Ph.D.
E-mail: meilanhe@usc.edu
Research projects:
My main interest is to understand the molecular mechanism of tumorigenesis. Currently, I am investigating the genome-wide reprogramming of cellular epigenetic marks by oncogenic virus, KSHV. I intend to identify the transcriptional factors and epigenetic drivers that mediate KSHV-induced cellular transformation tumorigenesis. Outside the lab, I enjoy the outdoor activities in the sunshine of LA.
Postdoctoral Fellow: Suzane Ramos da Silva, M.S., Ph.D.
E-mail: ramosdas@usc.edu
I obtained my B.S. in Biomedical Science, and M.S. and Ph.D. in Pathology from Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil. I have been studying KSHV since I was an undergraduate. During my Ph.D. training, I had the opportunity to be part of Drs. Chang & Moore’s Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh, PA (2005-2006). After completion of Ph.D., I continued to work as a Postdoctoral Follow under the guidance of Dr. Deilson Elgui de Oliveira in Sao Paulo State University. I joined Dr. Gao’s laboratory in 2012.
Research projects:
My current focus is on KSHV major latent protein LANA-1, and cellular proteins that are involved in KSHV-induced metabolic reprogramming and cellular transformation.
Postdoctoral fellow: Hongfeng Yuan, Ph.D.
E-mail: hongfeny@usc.edu
Professional experience:
- 2003-2006, Assistant Researcher, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regeneration Medicine, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing, China. Conducted research on the function of a novel cancer-overexpressed nuclear protein, spindlin1 (Gene, 2008).
- 2006-2008, Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Wen Yong Chen’s Laboratory, Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA. Developed a simple and effective cell culture model for chemo-resistance study of chronic myelogeneous leukemia (CML) (J Biol Chem, 2010); Identified protein deacetylase SIRT1 as a potential target for CML therapy (Blood, 2012); Revealed the important role of SIRT1 in mutagenesis (Oncogene, 2012); Revealed the important role of Aurora kinase A in CML chemoresistance (Carcinogenesis, 2012).
- 2008-2011, Assistant Researcher, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regeneration Medicine, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing, China. Revealed the essential effect of SIRT1 on the long-term proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) (J Mol Med, 2012).
- 2011-2014, Staff Scientist, Dr. Wen Yong Chen’s Laboratory, Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA. Studied the role of NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuins, particularly SIRT1, in oncogenic KRAS mutant-dependent cancers.
- 2014-present, Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Gao’s laboratory.
Current projects:
1. Crispr-Cas9 screening of cellular genes essential for KSHV-induced cellular transformation.
2. Roles and mechanisms of action of KSHV miRNAs in angiogenesis.
3. Roles of sirtuins in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Postdoctoral Fellow: Ying Zhu, Ph.D.
E-mail: yingzhu@usc.edu
Research projects:
1. Role of KSHV-encoded microRNAs in cellular transformation and tumorigenesis.
2. Metabolic reprogramming by KSHV in cellular transformation.
