Qing Zhang, PhD
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Program:
Molecular Pharmacology
Graduated:
12/2005
Mentor:
Dr. Jennifer Grandis
Thesis:
The Mechanism of GRP Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Activation by Gastrin Releasing Peptide (GRP) in Head and Neck Cancer: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications
Previous Institutions Attended:
Wuhan University, BS in Biochemistry
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I am a Research Fellow at the Harvard Medical School in the Department of Medical Oncology at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. I am currently investigating the mechanism of tumor suppressor loss of function in renal cell carcinoma.
Fellowships, Awards, Promotions:
Travel Award, The Edward A. Smuckler Memorial Workshop: Pathobiology of Cancer, American Association of Cancer Research, 2005
3rd Place Prize, The director's award for research excellence and potential, 16th Annual University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Scientific Retreat, 2004
First Prize, Poster Presentations, Annual Retreat, Department of Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh, 2003&2004
Publications while a graduate student at Pitt:
Xi S, Zhang Q, Dyer KF, Lerner EC, Smithgall TE, Gooding WE, Kamens J, Grandis JR. Src kinases mediate STAT growth pathways in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. J. Biol.Chem. Vol 278 p31574-31583, 2003.
Zhang Q, Thomas SM, Xi S, Smithgall TE, Siegfried JM, Kamens J, Gooding WE, Grandis JR. Src family kinases mediate EGFR ligand cleavage, proliferation and invasion of cancer cells. Cancer Research, 2004 Sep 1; 64(17):6166-73.
Zhang Q, Thomas SM, Lui VWY, Xi S, Siegfried JM, Fan H, Smithgall TE, Mills GB, Grandis JR. Phosphorylation of TNF-alpha converting enzyme by gastrin-releasing peptide induces amphiregulin release and EGF receptor activation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2006 May 2: 103 (18): 6901-6906.
In what ways did your training at Pitt prepare you for your current position?
The training at Pitt taught me how to deal with failure when a project did not work the way you want it to. With the great help either from my Ph.D advisor or from my colleagues, I went through the difficulties, which prepared me for the more challenging job I am doing now at Dana Farber. What were some of the most positive and surprising things about living in Pittsburgh? What did you expect of the city how was it different from your expectations?
Very affordable living, friendly people and enriched culture atmosphere.
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