Lab Members

Shi-Yuan Cheng, PhD

shiyuan.cheng( at )northwestern.edu
 312-503-3043

Postdoctoral Fellowship, UCSD & LICR, Signal Transduction & Tumor Angiogenesis (1999)

 View Cheng's Faculty Profile

I love creative research and collaborating with colleagues within Northwestern and throughout the world. I also enjoy interacting with students and postdoctoral fellows. Outside my office, I enjoy my family, friendships and traveling.

Bo Hu, PhD

Research Associated Professor

bo.hu( at )northwestern.edu
 312-503-1031

Postdoctoral Fellowship, UCSD, Biochemistry (1997)

 View Hu's Faculty Profile

I love what I do everyday in the lab and my office. I enjoy my family and traveling.

Shijie Xu, PhD

shujie.xu1( at )northwestern.edu

PhD, Sun Yat-sen University (2026)

My research focuses on the tumor immune microenvironment, epigenetic regulation, and alternative splicing in glioma. I am particularly interested in understanding their roles in tumor progression and identifying novel therapeutic targets with translational potential.

Runxin Wu

runxin.wu( at )northwestern.edu

Being a research associate, I study the role of alternative splicing and circular RNA in the tumor microenvironment. I am interested in exploring how these RNA molecules affect the tumor cells and their interactions with the surrounding tissues. I use various bioinformatic skills and experimental techniques to analyze the RNA expression and function in tumor models.

Jackie Li

Undergraduate Research Student

BS Student, Northwestern University

Jackie Li is a first-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University with interests in cancer biology, neuroscience, and molecular biology. She joined the Cheng Lab to investigate alternative splicing in pediatric brain tumors, with a particular focus on integrating computational and experimental approaches to identify potential therapeutic targets. Her current research involves analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing data from H3K27M diffuse midline gliomas and exploring RNA-based therapeutic strategies. Jackie aspires to pursue a career in medicine and research, translating scientific discoveries into improved treatments for patients. Outside the lab, she enjoys volunteering, exploring emerging biomedical technologies, and visiting local cafés.

Derek Sisbarro

dereksisbarro2027( at )u.northwestern.edu

I am an undergraduate student at Northwestern studying biomedical engineering. My research has been focused on the effects of cysteine redox changes on cytoskeletal proteins in glioma cells. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer and pickleball with my friends.

Maya Walker

maya.walker( at )northwestern.edu

I am a PhD student in the Driskill Graduate Program at Northwestern University. I am focused on investigating the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in glioblastoma and their potential modulation through alternative splicing events. In addition, I am investigating how alternative splicing impacts the development and progression of IDH-mutant gliomas. My ultimate goal is to uncover new therapeutic targets by better understanding how alternative splicing shapes the tumor landscape. Outside of the lab, I enjoy going to concerts, reading on my kindle, and playing volleyball!