Jing-Ren Zhang, PhD ’97, is one of the earliest graduates of the Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (MID) program, formerly Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. Zhang currently serves as a professor and assistant dean at the Tsinghua University School of Medicine in Beijing, China. His lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of disease pathogenesis during bacterial lung and blood infections.

Zhang’s curiosity in science inspired him to pursue a graduate degree in microbiology. He found a home in the lab of Steve Norris, PhD, at the beginning of his graduate career. Norris’ position at the Graduate School as a bacteriologist made his lab the perfect choice to support Zhang’s research on infectious diseases in humans. After completing his education, Zhang pursued his postdoctoral training at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, before accepting his first faculty position at Albany Medical College in upstate New York.

Throughout his career, Zhang discovered while some environments were less conducive to his research, some of his roles provided lab environments that fit his research interests and allowed him to perform his best research. According to  Zhang, his most significant professional success is the discovery of the liver as a major immune organ capable of executing innate and adaptive immunity against invasive bacteria.

While he finds fulfillment in his career, Zhang also makes time for life outside of the lab. Some of his favorite activities include gathering with friends and family, playing sports, and enjoying classical music.

Zhang’s advice for graduate students is, “work hard but think harder.”