People

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 at 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 at andrew.cmu.edu

Hongyuhang Ni, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher

My previous research experience includes investigating the effects of antibiotics and bacterial interventions on gut microbiota structure and host metabolism. Joining the Kuang Lab, I look forward to delving deeper into the mechanisms of epigenetic modifications in the host intestine in response to various diseases. Outside the lab, my hobbies include squash, cooking, and music.

Ph.D., Infectious diseases and public health, City University of Hong Kong
M.S., Microbiology, Lanzhou University
B.S., Biotechnology, Lanzhou University

                                                                      Email: hongyuhn at 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 at 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 at andrew.cmu.edu

Xianda Ma

Master student in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics
I’m interested in human disease modeling and unraveling disease mechanisms. I’m hoping to use my knowledge from interdisciplinary fields to contribute to the science community and find new drug targets for more efficient treatment of human diseases, especially diabetes, obesity, and rhythm-related symptoms. I enjoy playing badminton and hiking.
B.S. General Biology, University of California San Diego
Email: xiandam at andrew.cmu.edu

Ziyun Huang, B.S.

Masters student in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics

I am interested in translational regulation and post-transcriptional control, particularly applying ribosome profiling (Ribo-seq) to explore how genes are regulated across diverse biological contexts. I am also interested in integrating multi-omics approaches to investigate immune heterogeneity in cancer. I enjoy hiking, playing badminton, and handpan.

B.S., Biology Technology, Southwest University

Email: ziyunh at andrew.cmu.edu

 

Past Lab Members

Research Associates

Hunter Christopher

Junjie Ma

Dingjiacheng Jia

Masters students

Bhavana Kalidindi

Neha Mary Eldho

I-Shu Wang

Harihara Prakash

Xueke Jin

Qiyi Yu (Honor thesis)

Hanyang Luo (Honor thesis)

Tian Ryn

Santhoshi Paladugu

Yinuo Yang

Zhuoqun Li

Tony Tsai

Andres Choral Cantu

Wanxing Zhang

Blake Kiefer

Undergraduate students

Iris Reed

Yiran Duan (Honor thesis)

Tafannum Hossin

Giselle Arellano

Zoe (Shuyi) Yang

Eugene Yoon

David Nam

Booing Dylan Sun

Stephanie Qu

Leila Awasthi

Nhat Phan

Om Kathira

Cindy (Xinyi) Yin

Yuan (Dorie) Yue

Alexander Park

Chloe Pratt

Jemal Velihanova