Zheng Kuang, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor
I am passionate about unraveling the interplay between the gut microbiota, circadian rhythms and epigenetic modifications. My lab tries to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that bring about observed normal physiology and tries to decipher how perturbations in these can result in metabolic diseases and have immunological consequences. Although I trained with yeast for my PhD, I briefly worked with flies and zebrafish; now my lab uses mice as a model organism. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking with my family, playing badminton and table tennis, singing and cooking.
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Ph.D., Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University
M.H.S., Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University
M.S., Computer Science, Georgia Institute of Technology
B.S., Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Tsinghua University
Email: zhengkua@andrew.cmu.edu
Jianglin Zhang, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
I am interested in studying a subpopulation of gut cells that have roles in immunity. I am also investigating the role of some specific bacteria that can greatly improve host metabolism. I have previously worked on antibiotic resistance, and worked on viral-bacterial interactions and now want to use these skills in studying how they can interact with the host gut. Outside the lab, I am very passionate about playing table tennis and badminton, hiking and cooking.
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Southern California
Ph.D., Pathogeny Biology, Zhejiang University
M.S., Agricultural Extension, Zhejiang University
B.S., Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Email: jiangliz@andrew.cmu.edu
Samskrathi Sharma, M.Sc.
Ph.D. Candidate
I want to explore the interplay between the gut microbiota, a sex-specific epigenetic modifier and circadian rhythms of gene expression in the intestine. I have worked on small projects in cancer biology and aquaculture of fishes and shrimp in the past. Outside the lab, I enjoy writing, photography, creating comic strips, reading, and spending my time doing art and craft.
M.Sc., Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology
B.Sc., Biotechnology, Chemistry & Zoology, CHRIST (Deemed to be University)
Email: samskras@andrew.cmu.edu
Sarah Oladejo, B.S.
Ph.D. Candidate
The interplay between the gut microbiota and different immune sensors is a niche I have developed interest in. During my previous education, I worked with microbes and performed bioinformatics analyses of different types of data. Outside the lab, I enjoy singing and watching movies.
Pre-doctoral training, University of Alabama
B.S., Microbiology, Lagos State University
Email: soladejo@andrew.cmu.edu
Dingjiacheng Jia, B.S.
Visiting scholar
I am a PhD student in the field of Gastroenterology from Zhejiang University, where my research focuses on the microecological imbalance that occurs in the evolution of intestinal diseases, such as colitis and colorectal cancer (Cell 2024). At Kuang lab, I want to explore the complex relationship between gut microbiota and host alternative splicing, histone deacetylases. Outside of lab, I love movies, games, and TV shows.
B.S., Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang University
Email: dingijaj@andrew.cmu.edu/ gijdjc@zju.edu.cn
Hanyang Luo, B.S.
Master student in Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering
I am working on a histone deacetylase and trying to uncover its role in metabolism and immunity, which feeds into my interests in genetics and epigenetics. I love anime, reading, and drawing.
B.S. in Molecular Biology, University of California San Diego
Email: hanyang2@andrew.cmu.edu
Qiyi Yu, B.S.
Masters student in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics
I am working on single cell sequencing and metagenomics data and aim to uncover molecular mysteries and decode complex biological data with computational prowess and innovative computational tools. I enjoy reading and running.
B.S., Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University
Email:qiyiy@andrew.cmu.edu
Xianda Ma
Andres Chousal Cantu
Boyang Dylan Sun
Undergraduate student majoring in Biological Sciences
I am trying to enhance my skills on a variety of techniques in the lab and really enjoy learning about molecular and cell biology, statistics and computer science. I love to play basketball, volleyball, work out in the gym, cook my own food, watch anime and play video games.
Email: bdsun@andrew.cmu.edu
Nhat Phan
Undergraduate student majoring in Economics with pre-med track, University of Pittsburgh
I want to explore the research side of biology and learn techniques in molecular biology. I have always been fascinated by science, technology and innovation since I was young. I play as a violinist at the South Hills Junior Orchestra that serves Greater Pittsburgh.
Email: nhatp@andrew.cmu.edu
Past Lab Members
Research Associates
Hunter Christopher
Junjie Ma
Masters students
Bhavana Kalidindi
Neha Mary Eldho
I-Shu Wang
Harihara Prakash
Xueke Jin
Undergraduate students
Iris Reed
Yiran Duan
Tafannum Hossin
Giselle Arellano
Zoe (Shuyi) Yang