Department of Cell and Cancer Biology Postdoc Profiles
Postdoctoral fellows
Megan Dreier, Ph.D.
de la Serna lab, BHS 303, (419) 383-4133
megan.dreier@utoledo.edu
Education:
B.S., 05/2007 - Biology, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
Ph.D., 05/2012 - Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Toledo
Research interests: Cell cycle and tumor biology; currently studying the effects of the inhibition
of chromatin regulators on melanocyte development in melanoma
Shruti Ghai, Ph.D.
Su lab, BHS 466, (419) 383-4159
shrutirakesh.ghai@utoledo.edu
Education:
B.Tech, 2016 - D.Y. Patil University, Navi Mumbai, India
M.S., 2017 - Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
Ph.D., 2024 - University of Toledo, Cell & Cancer Biology, Toledo, OH, USA
Guoyi Jiang, Ph.D.
S-H Liu lab, HEB 225, (419) 383-6489
guoyi.jiang@utoledo.edu
Education:
Ph.D., 2024 - Pharmaceutics, University of Houston, College of Pharmacy, Houston,
TX
M.Med., 2017 - Pharmaceutical Analysis, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
B.S., 2014 - Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
Research interests:
I aim to innovate cancer therapy by harnessing exosomes as programmable drug delivery vehicles. My research integrates molecular engineering, tumor immunology, and bioanalytical science to overcome biological barriers in pancreatic cancer. I design targeting peptides to enhance specificity and minimize immune clearance. Through advanced models and pharmacokinetic tools, I translate bench discoveries toward personalized medicine. My goal is to bridge nanotechnology and oncology for smarter, safer therapeutics.
Ahmad Nisar, Ph.D.
JT Zhang lab, BHS 435, (419) 383-4322
nisar.ahmad2@utoleo.edu
Education:
Pharm D, 2015 - Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, KPK, Pakistan
M.S. 2018 - Pharmacology, Khyber Medical University Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan
Ph.D., 2024 - Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian,
Liaoning, China
Research Interests: Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression and therapeutic
resistance, with a strong emphasis on developing targeted and precision-based treatment
strategies. I am particularly interested in dissecting drug resistance mechanisms
in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) by identifying critical signaling pathways
that drive resistance and designing rational combination therapies to overcome treatment
failure. In parallel, I investigate small-molecule–based therapeutic approaches for
glioblastoma, aiming to target key oncogenic and survival pathways.
Shobhit Srivastava, Ph.D.
Raman lab, BHS 405, (419) 383-4165
shobhit.srivastava@utoledo.edu
Education:
BPharm., 2008 - Uttar Pradesh Technical University, Lucknow, India
MPharm., 2010 - Uttar Pradesh Technical University, Lucknow, India
Ph.D., 2017 - King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India
Research Interests: Elucidation of mechanistic basis for drug-resistance mechanism in metastatic triple-negative
breast cancer (mTNBC) with an emphasis on targeting translation of oncogenic mRNAs;
pharmaceutical chemistry, drug design, evaluation of drug toxicity and metabolomics
Harshini Vemula, Ph.D.
Saladi lab, BHS 371, (419) 383-6572
harshini.vemula@utoledo.edu
Education:
B.V.Sc., A.H. 2014 - Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati, India
M.V.Sc., 2017 - Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati, India
Ph.D., 2021 - Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, India
Research Interests: Understanding mechanisms by which deregulated epigenetic factors (KDM4A and ACTL6A) promote oncogenic transcriptional program.
Yang Wang, Ph.D.
Jianmin Zhang lab, BHS 467, (419) 383-4168
yang.wang4@utoledo.edu
Education:
Research Interests: Tumor immunology and chemotherapy resistance, with a focus on how tumor cells evade immune responses and acquire drug resistance. Interested in the role of exosomes, tumor microenvironment interactions, and key molecular pathways in mediating immune escape and therapeutic resistance, aiming to develop effective combination treatment strategies.
Xunzhen (Sean) Zheng, M.D.
JT Zhang lab, BHS 435, (419) 383-4322
xunzhen.zheng@utoledo.edu
Education:
M.S., M.D., 06/1997 - Hematology, Central South Univ, Xiangya Medical College, Changsha,
Hunan, China
Research Interests: The involvement of nitric oxide pathway in breast cancer development and treatment