Dr. Zhao Zhang

Associate Professor

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Biography

Zhao Zhang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology at Duke University. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in 2014 and began leading his own research group at the Carnegie Institution for Science, Department of Embryology, affiliated with Johns Hopkins University, without undergoing postdoctoral training. Zhang was recruited as an inaugural Duke Science Technology Scholar in 2019. His lab focuses on the study of transposons and circular DNA in relation to development and tumorigenesis, earning him multiple awards, including the NIH Director's Early Independence Award and the Pew Biomedical Scholar designation. His ongoing research aims to advance understanding of genomic parasites in glioblastoma immunotherapy and how transposable elements impact spermatogenesis in Drosophila. Dr. Zhang has received substantial grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense for his pioneering work in the field.

Research Interests

Courses

UPGEN 716S: Genetics Student Research PHARM 780: Graduate Student Seminar PHARM 494: Research Independent Study PHARM 394: Research Independent Study PHARM 393: Research Independent Study MOLCAN 780: Graduate Student Seminar CELLBIO 493: Research Independent Study

Requirements for Duke University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.2
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:24
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Multivariable Calculus Introduction to Physics (mechanics) Introduction to Chemistry
Application Checklist
  • Transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Resume/CV
  • Application Fee ($95)
  • Video Introduction
Specialization Notes

Department of Biomedical Engineering (MS program)