Laboratory of Zihai Li, MD, PhD
Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
Columbus, OH
Description:
Zihai Li, MD, PhD – founding director of the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO) – is recruiting multiple postdoctoral scholars to join his research team at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC). Dr. Li’s research interests over the last 20-plus years have been primarily in the fields of chaperone biology, immune tolerance, and cancer immunology. The Li lab currently focuses on improving existing immuno-therapeutics and developing novel treatment strategies by understanding how the immune system influences cancer progression and the tumor microenvironment (https://go.osu.edu/zihai). Supported by multiple grants from the NIH and private foundations, active projects include: elucidating the immune-mediated mechanisms behind sex biases in cancer; developing TGFβ-targeted therapies for cancer using anti-GARP monoclonal antibodies, CAR-T and CAR-NK cells; studying roles of mitochondrial metabolism in mediating response to radiation and immunotherapy to overcome resistance to PD-1 immune checkpoint blockers; uncovering immunoregulatory roles of platelets and other understudied myeloid cells in immune evasion; and understanding the fundamental mechanisms of differentiation program of regulatory T cells and CD8+ T cells in cancer, among others. Candidates are encouraged to pursue independent interests within the general framework of immuno-oncology, under the mentorship of Dr. Li.
Dr. Li has extensive experience as a scientific mentor for trainees at all levels. Currently, he serves as the direct advisor to three Postdoctoral Scholars (including one T32 Fellow) and five PhD graduate students (including one Pelotonia Fellow). Over the past 25 years, he directly supervised >44 graduate students, post-doctoral and clinical fellows – many of whom had significant success in their own research careers. For example, 14 hold independent academic positions (including multiple who reached rank of Professor and Department/Division Chair) and nine hold director or senior consultant roles at biotechnology companies.
The Li lab plays a key role in supporting the PIIO Immune Monitoring & Discovery Platform (IMDP), which operates as a technological hub for innovative immunology research. The platform’s mission is to combine state-of-the-art instrumentation, high levels of expertise, and exceptional customer service to create an environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and productivity. The IMDP delivers high-content spectral flow cytometry and cell sorting, mass cytometry, highly-multiplexed tissue imaging, and single cell proteomics and genomics services, as well as a robust immuno-informatics for deep data analysis (https://go.osu.edu/aboutIMDP).
Postdoctoral Scholar Qualifications:
Recent PhD, MD, DVM, or equivalent post-graduate education in biomedical research, with demonstrable record of original discovery research by peer-reviewed publications. Immunology background desired but not required.
Graduate Research Associates Qualifications:
Pre-graduate education in biomedical research or related field, with record of excellence in academics. Previous experience in the lab strongly desired, but not required. Immunology background desired but not required. Applicants do not need to be currently enrolled in a graduate program, but must be accepted into relevant OSU graduate program prior to starting training.
To Apply:
Interested candidates should send a single PDF with a cover letter, CV or NIH-style biosketch, and names of three references directly to Dr. Li at zihai.li@osumc.edu or contact via Twitter at @Zihai.
About Us:
The PIIO (https://go.osu.edu/aboutPIIO) is a comprehensive bench-to-bedside research initiative focused on harnessing the body’s immune system to fight cancer at all levels — from prevention to treatment and survivorship. Led by Founding Director Zihai Li, MD, PhD with more than 100 investigators, the overall ambition of the PIIO is to be a leader in driving immuno-oncology (IO) breakthroughs in systems immuno-oncology, immunogenomics, cell therapy and translational immuno-oncology.
Columbus, Ohio is the state capitol and the 14th largest city in the United States. Columbus is a friendly Midwestern town with metropolitan style. It has been dubbed one of the top ten best cities to live by Money Magazine. With an open-minded approach to life, business and ideas, Columbus has cultivated a unique environment of thriving communities, companies, institutions, and entertainment. It is a great place to live and has one of the strongest economies in the United States, with easy commutes and low cost of living relative to comparable metropolitan areas. The city is renowned for its leading technological companies, vast academic resources, thriving industry, an eclectic mix of entertainment, dining and shopping, and easily accessible opportunities for sports and recreation for participants and fans alike (https://go.osu.edu/aboutcolumbus)
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