Junlong (Jack) Chi, Ph.D.

Jack Chi, Ph.D., is interested in mechanisms of tumor immune evasion and the development of new cancer therapies. He is currently investigating the molecular pathology of Merkel cell carcinoma and aims to identify novel therapeutic targets.

During his Master's and Ph.D. studies, Dr. Chi gained comprehensive research training in three key areas: molecular mechanisms of cancer progression, cancer immunology, and drug discovery and therapeutics. His work primarily focused on uncovering novel post-translational modifications (PTMs) that drive cancer progression and immune evasion, specifically through the modulation of protein stability, interactions, and localization.

In the realm of drug discovery, Dr. Chi developed a targeted PROTAC molecule to degrade a key cell cycle regulator and established a high-throughput screening assay to measure the compound's efficacy in blocking protein enzymatic functions. This multidisciplinary training has equipped him to integrate immunology, oncology, and biomedical engineering concepts, enabling a comprehensive approach to formulating relevant scientific questions and devising innovative solutions.

Additionally, his collaborative projects with experts from various disciplines have honed Dr. Chi's communication skills, which are essential for effective interdisciplinary teamwork.