Cancer Cachexia - Tony Yichi Zhang Student Profile
Tony Yichi Zhang
Genetics, Development and Disease Graduate Program
Mentors: Eric Olson, Ph.D., Rhonda Bassel-Duby, Ph.D., Ning Liu, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Degree: Kinesiology
Undergraduate Institution: Queen's University in Kingston, ON
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Awards/Fellowships: Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology, Canadian Institute of Health Research Doctoral Award
How did you become interested in science and/or research?
Growing up playing different sports as a kid, I always had a keen interest in studying how the human body worked. That's why I studied Kinesiology as an undergrad, to learn more about topics like human anatomy and physiology. While I learned about the numerous uncured diseases such as many neuromuscular diseases and cancer, I began to think of ideas to find new cures and solutions for the patients impacted by these diseases. Getting the opportunity to work in research labs only reinforced my view that research was the best way for me to apply scientific curiosity and creativity.
Please describe your research.
Cancer cachexia is the significant weight loss due to muscle wasting with or without fat wasting seen in most cancer patients with a wide variety of cancers. This condition is highly underappreciated and underestimated as a major contributor to poor prognoses and shortened survival rates in cancer patients. My research addresses the mechanisms by which muscle wasting takes place in cancer by using/generating various genetic mouse models, next generation sequencing technologies, and various other molecular biology tools to probe specific pathways we believe are involved in the disease. We are also collaborating with clinicians on campus to demonstrate that our findings are applicable in human cancer cachexia patients with the hopes of developing new therapies one day soon.
What do you think makes the Genetics, Development and Disease Program one of the best?
When you look at our list of faculty members and the quality and quantity of their publications and citations, the work really speaks for itself. Aside from having some of the best and most productive labs in the country, our faculty members are very helpful and collaborative which makes for a positive and inclusive scientific environment where students, postdocs, and faculty are all open to discussing ideas and sharing feedback. This positive community is why I would not want to be anywhere but here.
What do you love about the Genetics, Development and Disease Program?
The faculty members that are part of our program are some of the most productive and influential scientists you will find on this campus or any campus in the country. Aside from the opportunity to conduct great science, students in GDD also receive great mentorship and feedback at committee meetings and weekly Work In Progress seminars. Last but not least, my favorite thing about the GDD community is the openness and collaborative nature of all the labs. You can walk into any faculty member's office and they will be willing to talk science with you and offer a helping hand.
– Tony Yichi Zhang, Genetics, Development and Disease Graduate Program
