Journal of Immunology and Infectious Diseases

Dr. Zhou completed her PhD thesis studying the gap junction protein regulation by Src oncogene. From 1999 to 2001, Dr. Zhou worked as a Research Associate at HHMI under Dr. John Lowe’s supervision to study how fucosyl- glycans modify selectin ligand activity in myeloid cell homeostasis. Since being recruited to Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Zhou has conducted research to try to understand the functional regulation of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) fate specification and differentiation, myeloid and lymphoid cell homeostasis, and HSC self-renewal and niche development by fucosylated glycans present on Notch and selectin ligands. Dr. Zhou has also been interested in the role of Notch signaling in pancreatic cancer and aberrant glycosylation in colon carcinogenesis and tumor surveillance. Her long term research goals include

 1) to understand the mechanism(s) of which Notch as a signaling molecule and an adhesion molecule in HSC niche retention and quiescence maintenance

 2) to identify cellular and/or soluble factors that are critical for suppression of hematopoiesisby leukemia cells that are amenable to disruption

 3) to develop a deeper understanding of the role of Notch signaling in pancreatic cancer progression

 4) to use mouse models to investigate the mechanisms of aberrant glycosylation induced colitis and colon cancer development.

Dr. Zhou long term research focus is to understand the normal hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche regulation by Notch and associated adhesion processes, how leukemia regulates marrow micro-environment, and the role of aberrant Notch signaling in pancreatic cancer and colon cancer carcinogenesis and immuno-surveillance.