Huajia Z.

1. Lead discovery efforts to identify and prioritize novel oncology and immuno-oncology targets, leveraging deep biological insight, translational relevance, and therapeutic tractability. 2. Integrate multi-omic datasets (bulk and single-cell RNA-seq, proteomics, spatial profiling) to uncover new biology, inform target selection, and guide biomarker strategy. 3. Drive innovation in antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) programs, including target validation, payload selection, and mechanism-of-action studies to optimize efficacy and safety. 4.Collaborate across cross-functional teams—bioinformatics, in vivo pharmacology, protein engineering, and translational sciences—to align discovery strategy with clinical goals. 5. Manage and mentor junior scientists, fostering a culture of scientific rigor, operational excellence, and career development while ensuring key program milestones are met.

Project: Develop strategy to rewire the tumor microenvironment and improve anti-tumor immunity. 1. Identify novel immuno-oncology therapeutic targets by analyzing internal and public datasets 2. Design and execute in vivo and in vitro studies for target discovery and validation 3. Oversee and optimize assays evaluating antibodies with different therapeutic payloads on ex vivo/in vitro models 4. Spearhead biomarker analysis and optimize patient stratification strategy 5. Collaborate with multiple functional teams to drive project strategy and align with corporate goals 6. Mentored junior scientist fostering individual and project development

Project: Targeted therapy against kinase X in solid tumors. • Investigated the functional role of kinase X in tumor formation and drug resistance in solid tumors • Performed biomarker discovery for kinase X vulnerability by integrating multiomic datasets (DepMap, CCLE, genome-wide CRISPR screening), CRISPR-based gene editing screens, Mix-Seq, and large scale immunofluorescent microscopic analysis • Led and contributed to project discussions with internal cross-disciplinary groups and industrial collaborators • Performed in vitro high throughput screening to identify biomarkers to predict therapeutic index

Project: Targeting tumor-associated neutrophils to reverse immunosuppression in NSCLC.(adviser: Dr. A. McGarry Houghton) • Improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in pre-clinical trials in murine models by suppressing the function of tumor-associated neutrophils. • Identify distinct gene signatures in peripheral neutrophils, neutrophil-lineage myeloid suppressor cells and tumor-associated neutrophils via QPCR and 10X single cell sequencing. • Perform unbiased analyses of flow cytometric, gene expression, and multiplexed immunohistochemical data from a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient cohort. • Study the molecular mechanism for reduced CD8+ T cell infiltration in the neutrophil-rich tumor microenvironment. • Discover the tumor microenvironment dictates the function of neutrophil to suppress T-cell. • Generate a neutrophil-specific lineage tracing mouse model by adoptive transfer assay to dissect the distinct functional properties of tumor infiltrating neutrophils and peripheral neutrophils in a real-time manner. Collaborative project (with Dr. Eric Holland): Herpes-derived oncolytic virus induces anti-tumor immune response and abscopal effect in glioblastoma. • Investigate the cellular mechanism for increased T- cell infiltration and activated anti-tumor T-cell responses in glioblastoma treated with Herpes-derived oncolytic virus by multi-color flow cytometry.

The broad interest of my Ph.D. is to understand the molecular mechanistic link between inflammation and cancer. Thesis: Functional role of TLR4 signaling pathway in the hematopoietic stem cell response to acute inflammation during sepsis. (Advisor: Dr. Nadia Carlesso) • Dissected the distinct contributions of the TLR4/MyD88 and TLR4/TRIF signaling pathways to myeloid differentiation suppression and hematopoietic stem cell functional damage during sepsis. • Generated tissue-specific knock-out of miR-21 mouse model to identify putative downstream target for reversing sepsis induced-bone marrow injury. Collaborative Project: Loss of Notch leads to increased miR-155 and hyperactive NFkappaB in the bone marrow and induces myeloproliferative neoplasia. • Explicate the precise role of miR-155 in linking chronic inflammation and cancer development.

Final Year Project in Prof. Guangmei Yan’s Laboratory, Dept. of Pharmacology, Zhong-shan Medical College, Sun Yat-Sen University Project title: Investigation of roles of PKC signaling pathway in rat C6 malignant glioma cell differentiation Experimental work: Western Blot, FACS, MTT assay

I participated in 2 projects supervised by the post-docs in the Dr. Chun Liang's lab. 1.Investigation of interaction between Spp1 protein and ORC2 protein in DNA replication initiation and their roles in histone methylation 2.Investigation of roles of DNA replication initiation proteins CDT-1 protein and MCM6 protein in cell cycle progress Experimental work: Western Blot, PCR, RT-PCR, Plasmid Transfection, Molecular Cloning, Mammalian Cell Culture, Yeast-two-hybrid Essay, FACS

I worked in Dr. Hong Xue's lab. I leanred basic molecular biology techniques including DNA sequence contig reading and agarose gel electrophoresis.

I volunteered as a Junior Staff of the Chinese Herbal Medicine Summer Camp organized by the CISV International. As a Junior Staff, I worked as a facilitator to ensure successful operation of the daily activities of the summer camp designated for 14-years old teenagers coming from 10 different countries.

I volunteered as a Junior Counselor in the Time for Kidz Village organized by the CISV International. 1. CISV International (formerly Children's International Summer Villages) is an UNESCO international organization, founded to achieve world peace through cross-cultural understanding. 2. Collaborated with delegation leaders and on-site staff to manage the daily operations of a summer camp for 50 people from 10 different countries.

Elected to study in HKUST as an exchange student for 6-months.