Shi Lab @ UPenn
Meet the PI
Junwei Shi
Assistant Professor of
Cancer Biology
Education and Training
B.S. (Biotechnology) Sun Yat-Sen University (China), 2008
Ph.D. (Molecular and Cellular Biology) Stony Brook University, SUNY, 2016

Lab Members
Diqiu Ren
Postdoc (2019 - )
We know aberrant lineage programs in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) require multiple epigenetic pathways to maintain. I am trying to identify new post-translationally modified histones as AML dependencies.
Favorite Philly Spot
TeaDo (I recommend Black Milk Tea with Bubble, half sugar!)

Qingzhou Chen
Postdoc
B.S. (Biotechnology) Zhejiang University of Technology, 2013
Ph.D. (Cell Biology) Peking University, 2019
I am focusing on modifying and developing screening tools based on Cas/CRISPR system. By using these screening tools, my interest is to study gene interaction (GI) at the cellular and individual level.
Favorite Philly Spot
Chinatown

Ping Wang
Postdoc (2020 - )
Co-mentorship with John Wherry
I’m interested in T cell exhaustion in cancer progression. I will apply single-cell omics and in vivo CRISPR screening method to identify the different stages of exhausted T cells and reveal some key regulatory events.
Favorite Philly Spot
TBD

Zhendong Cao
PhD Student (2017 - )
To be Dr. Cao soon!
The role of epigenetic regulatory proteins in promoting cancer maintenance and progression is largely underexplored. My project focuses on uncovering the essentiality of certain epigenetic factors in leukemia. By validating the dependency of these factors for the maintenance of acute myeloid leukemia, we are able to define new potential therapeutic avenues for this disease.
Favorite Philly Spot
Philadelphia Magic Gardens

Bianca Pingul
PhD Student (2019 - )
Dissecting transcriptional and epigenetic addictions in AML. Developing a controlled CRISPR platform for inducible gene editing in primary AML cells.
Favorite Philly Spot
Wissahickon Valley Park
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Roopsha Bandopadhyay
PhD Student (2021 - )
Co-mentorship with Rahul Kohli
Temporal and spatial control of CRISPR base editing in mammalian cells.
Favorite Philly Spots
Cira Green, the lobster tank at John Yi Fish Marke

Kurtis McCannell
PhD Student (2022 - )
Project in the works!
Favorite Philly Spot
Wissahickon Valley Park

Yuqiao Liu
Research Specialist
All kinds of CRISPR screens in AMLs.
Favorite Philly Spot
Philadelphia Museum of Art

Deb Sneddon
Administrative Coordinator
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Lab Alumni
Eri Arai
Research Specialist
Caroline Bartman
Collaborator, now Postdoc at Princeton University
Krista Budinich
Research Specialist, now PhD Student at the University of Pennsylvania
Emily Duffner
Research Specialist, now Medical Student at Thomas Jefferson University
Rodrigo Gier
Research Specialist, now PhD Student at the University of Pennsylvania
Sydney Shaffer
Postdoc, now Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania
Zhuoyu Wen
Undergraduate Research Assistant, now PhD student at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Elizabeth Freilich
Research Specialist
Nik Evitt
MD/PhD Student, now Scientist at Switch Bioworks