Ms. Jingfang Zhang | Systems Biology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Computational Biologists

Ms. Jingfang Zhang | Systems Biology | Best Researcher Award

Beijing University of Chinese Medicine | China

Dr. Jingfang Zhang, Associate Professor at the School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, is a distinguished researcher in molecular biology, cancer biology, and genome editing. Her work focuses on understanding cellular behavior and disease mechanisms through advanced genetic and pharmacological tools. With expertise in cancer biology and stem cell research, she integrates stem cell biology, pharmacology, and gene regulation. Dr. Zhang has pioneered drug-inducible and multimode CRISPR/Cas systems, including the HIT-Cas9 platform, enabling precise control of gene expression and genome editing. Her groundbreaking innovations have expanded the versatility and safety of genome-editing technologies for therapeutic applications. Her research, published in Nucleic Acids Research, Blood, and Molecular Therapy – Nucleic Acids, advances epigenetics and therapeutic applications. She has also provided key insights into hematologic malignancies and acute myeloid leukemia. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, she fosters interdisciplinary research and mentors young scientists. Dr. Zhang’s projects bridge molecular biology and translational medicine, opening new avenues for targeted therapies. Her innovations in genome editing and cellular reprogramming are shaping precision medicine, regenerative therapeutics, and the future of molecular life sciences.

Profile: Orcid 

Publications

Wang, Y., Hu, J., & Zhang, J. (2025). Evaluation of abnormal growth-related genes of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells by combining CRISPR/Cas9 technology with cell counting. Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE, (219).

Zhang, J., Chen, L., Zhang, J., & Wang, Y. (2019). Drug inducible CRISPR/Cas systems. Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, 17, 1171–1177.

Zhao, C., Zhao, Y., Zhang, J., Lu, J., Chen, L., Zhang, Y., Ying, Y., Xu, J., Wei, S., & Wang, Y. (2018). HIT-Cas9: A CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing device under tight and effective drug control. Molecular Therapy – Nucleic Acids, 13, 208–219.

Lu, J., Zhao, C., Zhao, Y., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y., Chen, L., Han, Q., Ying, Y., Peng, S., Ai, R., et al. (2018). Multimode drug inducible CRISPR/Cas9 devices for transcriptional activation and genome editing. Nucleic Acids Research, 46(5), e25.

Zhang, J., Kong, G., Rajagopalan, A., Lu, L., Song, J., Hussaini, M., Zhang, X., Ranheim, E. A., Liu, Y., Wang, J., et al. (2016). p53-/- synergizes with enhanced NrasG12D signaling to transform megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors in acute myeloid leukemia. Blood, 129(3), 358–370.

 

Dr. Jennifer Deger | Alzheimer’s Disease | Young Scientist Award

Published on by Computational Biologists

Dr. Jennifer Deger | Alzheimer's Disease | Young Scientist Award

Baylor College of Medicine | United States

Jennifer Deger is a medical scientist in training at Baylor College of Medicine, pursuing an MD-PhD with a primary research focus on uncovering the genetic and molecular mechanisms driving neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Her work integrates molecular biology, genetics, and neuroscience to better understand neuronal degeneration and identify therapeutic targets for neurological disorders. Under the mentorship of Hugo Bellen and Joshua Shulman, she investigates genetic risk factors and molecular pathways that contribute to brain aging and cognitive decline. With a strong foundation in neuroscience and writing from The University of Texas at Austin, she combines analytical precision with effective scientific communication. Her research experience spans model organism studies and translational approaches linking molecular findings to clinical relevance. Jennifer’s contributions have been recognized through numerous honors, including the BRASS Scholarship and the Sharon E. Plot Mentorship Award for outstanding scientific promise and leadership. Her creative and technical excellence was highlighted when her immunofluorescence images were featured on the BCM MSTP symposium abstract book cover. She has earned top presentation and poster awards at institutional and national symposia, demonstrating her clarity and impact as a communicator of science. Dedicated to mentorship and service, Jennifer plays an active role in fostering collaboration and inclusivity within the scientific community. Her leadership has been acknowledged through awards for community service and educational contributions. She continues to pursue research that bridges discovery and clinical practice, aiming to advance therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disease. Through her interdisciplinary approach and commitment to scientific progress, she represents the next generation of physician-scientists transforming neuroscience and precision medicine.

Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publications

Deger, J. M., Hannan, S. B., Gu, M., Strohlein, C. E., Goodman, L. D., Pasupuleti, S., Shaik, Z., Ma, L., Li, Y., Li, J., et al. (2025). Revealing the nervous system requirements of Alzheimer disease risk genes in Drosophila. The American Journal of Human Genetics.

Deger, J. M., Hannan, S. B., Gu, M., Strohlein, C. E., Goodman, L. D., Pasupuleti, S., Shaik, Z., Ma, L., Li, Y., Li, J., et al. (2025, July 30). Revealing the nervous system requirements of Alzheimer’s disease risk genes in Drosophila.

Hill, E. J., Robak, L. A., Al-Ouran, R., Deger, J., Fong, J. C., Vandeventer, P. J., Schulman, E., Rao, S., Saade, H., Savitt, J. M., et al. (2022). Genome sequencing in the Parkinson disease clinic. Neurology Genetics.

Deger, J., Goethe, E. A., LoPresti, M. A., & Lam, S. (2021). Intraventricular hemorrhage in premature infants: A historical review. World Neurosurgery.

Deger, J. (2018). A druggable genome screen identifies modifiers of alpha-synuclein levels via a tiered cross-species validation approach. Journal of Neuroscience.

Deger, J. (2015). The interrelationship of proteasome impairment and oligomeric intermediates in neurodegeneration. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Texas at Austin.