Meet the Peng Ji Lab team members. We welcome requests for information about our work and collaboration opportunities.
Principal Investigator
Peng Ji, MD, PhD, FCAP
Professor of Pathology Vice Chair for Research, Department of Pathology Chief Pathology Officer, Silver Family Blood Cancer Institute Director, Pathology Physician-Scientist Training Program (PSTP)
peng-ji@fsm.northwestern.edu
Lab Manager
Ermin Li, MD, PhD
In July 2010, I completed my Bachelor of Medicine, and Bachelor of Surgery, and then obtained my Master's in Hematology by July 2013. After two years of residency at a hospital, I returned to school in September 2015 to pursue further academic achievements. During my Ph.D. graduate studies, I accumulated substantial experience in cell and molecular biology and received high-level scientific training, including publication and grant writing, presentation skills in various settings, and critical thinking. As I was ready to step out of my comfort zone and face new challenges, I decided to get trained in a lab that primarily uses the mammalian system with research projects of a more translational nature. I joined Dr. Peng Ji’s lab at Northwestern University to receive my training as a postdoctoral fellow. In Dr. Ji's lab, I had the opportunity to learn state-of-the-art technologies, which helped me understand the detailed pathological changes in human hematological disorders and mouse hematological disease models.
Graduate: MD Degree in Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University. PhD Degree in Pathology, Fudan University
ermin.li@northwestern.edu
Postdoctoral Fellows
Xu Han
Dr. Xu Han joined Dr. Peng Ji’s lab in July 2017 as a postdoctoral fellow. He mainly focused on two studies: 1, Develop effective Plek2 inhibitors and use them to treat cancers including myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and prostate cancer; the finding that novel Plek2 inhibitors have therapeutic effectiveness in MPNs was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (Xu Han et al, JCI, 2023), and the paper demonstrating Plek2’s roles and Plek2 inhibitors’ effectiveness in Pten loss induced prostate cancer was under revision. 2, Explore hematopoiesis under normal development and diseases with spatial transcriptomic technology including Visium, Xenium and multiplexed immunofluorescence assays, and the paper on this study is prepared to submit. Additionally, Dr. Xu Han also participated in another study of exploring the roles and related mechanisms of PPIL2, a new member of Plek2 signalosome, in normal erythropoiesis and MPNs, and this paper was also under revision.
Graduate: PhD Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Central South University
Hello, my name is Honghao. I am currently a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Peng Ji’s lab, where my research focuses on the mechanisms of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and genetic predispositions to hematopoietic diseases, as well as exploring new therapies for these conditions. Collaborating with colleagues both within and outside our lab, we have established a comprehensive system for investigating the mechanisms of genetic predisposition, from clinical studies to cellular and mouse models. Our investigative approach encompasses a wide range of wet lab technologies and bioinformatics tools. We have made significant progress by identifying connections between predisposition genes and genome structure and stability. Looking forward, I am excited to delve deeper into the genomic and molecular biology mechanisms involved in hematopoietic diseases. If you are interested in learning more about my work or discussing potential collaborations, please feel free to contact me.
Graduate:Ph.D. in Genetics and Genomics, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY. Master of Medicine, ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY. Bachelor of Medicine, ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY.
With undergraduate training in Laboratory Medicine and graduate training in Pathology, I have built a strong understanding and compassion for human diseases. Through performing autopsies during my Ph.D. training, I strongly realized how difficult it is to get the whole picture of the progression of diseases under the microscope, yet basic science research is the unneglectable pathway to gaining an understanding of the mechanism of disease development, which would ultimately translate into disease prevention and treatment. As a postdoc at Dr. Peng Ji’s lab at Northwestern University, I am exposed to state-of-art technologies like spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNA sequencing which greatly helped me dissect the detailed pathological changes in human hematological disorders. I am always driven by the passion and curiosity to pursue the answers to scientific questions, which are the key components to a sustainable and fruitful research career to my understanding.
Graduate: PhD Degree in Pathology, Fudan University
As a predoctoral student, my research primarily focused on transcriptional regulation in both normal and dysregulated erythropoiesis. I discovered a transcription factor/cofactor regulatory loop, providing new insights into human erythropoiesis and identifying a potential therapeutic target for managing polycythemia vera. I also conducted a systematic review of the transcriptional regulation of erythropoiesis and related transcription cofactors. Currently, as a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Peng Ji’s lab, I continue to explore erythropoiesis and related disorders, particularly myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). One of my completed projects investigate the roles and mechanisms of JAK/STAT/PLEK2 signaling complexes in MPNs, aiming to elucidate how these pathways contribute to disease progression and uncover potential therapeutic targets. Additionally, I am leading a project that investigates the metabolomics of MPNs, examining how metabolic alterations within these disorders may influence cellular behaviors, disease pathogenesis, and therapeutic responses. If you are interested in learning more about my research or discussing potential collaborations, I would be more than happy to connect and share insights into my work. Please feel free to reach out at any time.
Graduate: PhD Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Central South University
Inspired by the myth of Prometheus, who endured daily regeneration of his liver as a symbol of life’s persistence and renewal, my research embodies this regenerative spirit in a modern context. As an aspiring physician-scientist, I am deeply invested in exploring the impact of DDX41 gene mutations on the efficacy of stem cell transplants in elderly patients. Utilizing innovative approaches such as mouse models, induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs), and bone marrow organoids, I am dedicated to dissecting the complexities of the bone marrow microenvironment. If you can’t find me in the lab, I am probably watching Premier League, exploring new places all over the world, or enjoying Lake Michigan.
Graduate: MD Degree from Trakya University School of Medicine
My name is Laya Soleimani, and I earned my medical degree in 2020 in Iran. I developed a strong interest in research during my internship, which led me to publish several peer-reviewed papers in the field of endocrinology. In 2023, I joined the dermatology department at Northwestern University, where I further expanded my research experience. My passion for pathology has driven me to explore various areas within the field. Currently, I am a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Ji’s lab, focusing on the enucleation process of red blood cells (RBCs) and studying DDX41 and CUX1 gene mutations in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
laya.soleimanisardoo@northwestern.edu
Summer Student
Kara Tao
Kara Tao is an undergraduate student at Yale University majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. In the Ji laboratory, she collaborates with her mentors Kehan Ren and Ermin Li to study the role of SRF in erythropoiesis. Outside the lab, Kara enjoys volunteering in the pediatric emergency department, contributing to Yale Scientific Magazine, and listening to music.
My name is Cristina Torres and I worked in Dr. Peng Ji's lab the summer of 2023 with the NU-CURE Northwestern University Cancer-Focused Undergraduate Research Experience. I worked under Dr. Honghao Bi and Inci Aydemir working on Characterizing DDX41 Expression Level and Subcellular Distribution During Erythroid Differentiation. I'm a Chicago native currently enrolled at Cornell University where I study Biological Sciences with a concentration in genetics, genomics, and development. In my free time I like to read and hang out with my friends!
Niva has been a dedicated summer student in our lab since 2022, showcasing exceptional talent and enthusiasm. Congratulations to her on being accepted to Boston University for 2024!
nivamusunuri@gmail.com
Niki Musunuri
Since joining our lab as a summer student in 2022, Niki has consistently demonstrated remarkable talent and dedication. We are thrilled to congratulate her on her acceptance to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine for 2024!
nikimusunuri@gmail.com
Jeffrey Lin
Hi, my name is Jeffrey Lin and I am a student at Walter Payton College Preparatory High School and I have an interest in studying biology and I have been shadowing in the lab during my school breaks. Experience at the lab: being at the lab was an extremely impactful experience since it allowed me to agin valuable insight on what it’s like to work alongside a group of people in a professional setting and this was made possible due to the kind and supportive people at JiLab who taught me many techniques that I would be able to use that technical knowledge in my future career as I am planning to major in biology once I am in college and hopefully being able to successfully apply for medical school later on.
Jeffreylin1298@gmail.com
Yongyi Chen
Hello, my name is Rongyi Chen. I attend Whitney Young Magnet High School. Some of my hobbies include reading and figure skating. I have always been interested in biology, and learning at Dr. Peng Ji’s lab has really helped me further my understanding of science.
Dr. Zhao received his research training in Dr. Peng Ji’s lab from 2012 to 2017, serving as both a Postdoctoral Fellow and a Research Assistant Professor. His work primarily focused on the molecular mechanisms of normal erythropoiesis and the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies, during which he contributed to identifying several novel drug targets (Haematologica 2014, Dev Cell 2016, JCI 2018).
Dr YijieLiujoined Dr Peng Ji’s lab in Feb 2018 as a postdoc researcher. During the three years in the lab, DrLiumainly worked on the mechanisms of erythropoiesis under physiologic and stress/disease conditions using molecular and cell biology techniques and mouse models. In a recent publication, we reported that mDia formins are critical for erythroid membrane integrity, proteome remodeling, and organelle clearance (Blood, 2021). This work opens an opportunity for the study of a broader relationship between membrane skeleton and terminal maturation of erythroid cells. Currently, Dr YijieLiuis an Assistant Professor of Pathology in Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, as well as the Scientific Director of the Clinical Flow Cytometry Lab at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Yang Mei
Professor of Hunan University
Dr. Mei joined Dr. Peng Ji’s lab in September 2013 as a postdoctoral researcher. His work primarily focused on erythropoiesis and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), uncovering the crucial roles of inflammatory signaling in the pathogenesis of MDS and its progression to leukemia. He also investigated the functions of the actin nucleator mDia formin proteins in hematopoiesis. Dr. Mei is currently a professor at Hunan University in China.
