Education

Undergraduate
Fujian Normal University (1985), Biology
Graduate School
SUNY at Buffalo (1991), Biochemistry

Research Interest

  • Innate Immunity
  • MAVS: mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein
  • NF-kappaB Signaling
  • RIG-I Signaling
  • Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway

Publications

Featured Publications LegendFeatured Publications

Honors & Awards

  • William B. Coley Award for Distinguished Research in Basic and Tumor Immunology
    (2020)
  • Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
    For his discovery of the cGAS enzyme that launches the body's immune defense against infections and cancers. That enzyme patrols the cell's interior and triggers the immune system in response to DNA. (2019)
  • Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences
    For his discovery of the cGAS enzyme, a sensor of innate immunity. The enzyme patrols the cell’s interior and sounds the alarm to trigger the immune system in response to DNA. (2018)
  • NAS Award in Molecular Biology
    For his creative use of elegant biochemistry both in elucidating an unsuspected role for polyubiquitin in a kinase-signaling cascade important for cancer and immunity and in discovering a novel link between innate immunity and a mitochondrial membrane protein that forms prion-like polymers to trigger antiviral responses. (2012)
  • Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Science by The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas
    (2007)
  • Welch Foundation Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research
    (2005)
  • Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigator in Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases
    (2002)
  • Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Scholar
    (2002)
  • Searle Scholar
    (1998)