Harvard-trained Scientist Joins Sylvester/DSUI Research Team
Zhipeng Wang, Ph.D., looks to advance research on the molecular mechanisms behind genitourinary cancers.
Zhipeng Wang, Ph.D., has stepped into his new role as assistant professor of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute (DSUI) and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, a part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Dr. Wang will work alongside DSUI Scientific Director Nima Sharifi, M.D., who previously directed genitourinary cancer research at Cleveland Clinic and joined the Miller School last year to drive translational science focused on prostate and other genitourinary cancers.
“Dr. Wang comes to us from one of the top labs in the world at Harvard focused on identifying chemical and biochemical mechanisms of how cells work at a fundamental level,” Dr. Sharifi said. “His addition is so valuable to our program and cancer research in general because our understanding of how best to treat advanced cancer remains limited. Looking at the cancer cell as one would think about a car, Dr. Wang will help us really look under the hood to figure out exactly what makes a cancer cell in advanced cancer tick, and what makes it run. Once we identify those mechanisms, it will help us develop new treatments to use against those mechanisms.”
Understanding Molecular Mechanisms Behind Cancer
Dr. Wang, a post-doctoral fellow under Philip Cole, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine, biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology at Harvard Medical School, earned his doctorate in chemistry at Texas A&M University and Princeton University, and majored in chemistry and biology for his undergraduate degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
He pursued the Miller School because of its reputation for cutting-edge research and numerous opportunities for collaborations with researchers and scientists.
“DSUI’s goal aligns well with my long-standing interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms behind cancers, such as prostate cancer,” Dr. Wang said. “Additionally, the Miller School’s close connection to the hospital allows me to work directly with patient samples, connecting fundamental scientific questions with cancer treatments. This is a unique advantage that purely research-focused institutions often lack.”
Dr. Wang also mentioned the value of DSUI’s access to shared facilities and strong support for researchers.
New Chemical Biology Tools for Clinical Research
Dr. Wang’s approach to researching the chemistry and biochemistry of cancer is truly cutting edge, according to Dr. Sharifi.
“My plan is to leverage my combined background in chemistry and biology to apply new chemical biology tools to clinical research,” Dr. Wang said. “This research will utilize chemical molecules, such as small molecules, synthetic peptides and proteins, as well as advanced chemical biology techniques, like chemoproteomics and cryo-EM, to address fundamental and translational medical questions that are typically challenging for biologists.”
Since all cancers are associated with epigenetic disorders, understanding the regulatory mechanisms behind these disorders can greatly facilitate further research and the development of small molecule drugs for cancer treatment, according to Dr. Wang.
Dr. Wang said he looks forward to many milestones at the Miller School in the months and year to come.
“First, I will focus on fully setting up my lab with all the necessary instruments and equipment and look forward to having my trainees and postdocs join the lab,” he said. “I am eager to begin our research projects, aiming to generate continuous data and making significant research discoveries. Over the longer term, I hope to make important discoveries that will enable me to apply for my first grant and publish my first paper.”
In a glowing recommendation for Dr. Wang, Dr. Cole wrote that he is “the whole package when combining intellectual strengths, passion for science and commitment to education.”
“Our focus at DSUI and Sylvester is on advancing discoveries that are important for patients, so really understanding disease mechanisms is paramount,” Dr. Sharifi said. “Having Dr. Wang onboard will help us cross the finish line.”
Tags: cancer research, Desai Sethi Urology Institute, Dr. Nima Sharifi, Dr. Zhipeng Wang, genitourinary cancer, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center