Research in my lab focuses on the role of interleukin-17 (IL-17) family cytokines in colorectal cancer development and therapeutic intervention. IL-17 plays important roles in immunity against invading pathogens and in chronic inflammation of autoimmune diseases. IL-17 signaling also drives the development of colorectal, breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. Our and other people’s previous studies have shown that IL-17 signals to both tumor cells and their environment. Direct engagement of IL-17 promotes tumor cell proliferation and survival, whereas IL-17 signaling on stromal and immune cells seems to promote tumor-associated inflammation and suppress anti-tumor immunity. Despite these breakthroughs, the mechanism by which IL-17 regulates tumor inflammation and immunity response remained largely elusive.

Awards
China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Fellowship China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
Croucher Foundation Fellowship Croucher Foundation

Graduate Admissions Committee Advisory Committee Member UConn Health Local 2017
American Association of Immunologists Professional/Scientific Organization Member External International 2016
Institutional Biosafety Committee Advisory Committee Chair UConn Health Local 2016
American Association for Cancer Research Professional/Scientific Organization Member External International 2014