Professor at University of California, Los Angeles, United States
Dr. Liying Zhang, MD, PhD, FACMG, is a distinguished researcher and professor specializing in molecular diagnostics and precision oncology. She serves as the Director of the Advanced Molecular Diagnostics Service at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and the Director of Cancer Molecular Diagnostics at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. With extensive experience in molecular genetics, her research focuses on cancer diagnostics, biomarker discovery, and precision medicine. She has contributed to numerous high-impact studies, secured significant research funding, and played an active role in national and international expert committees. Her expertise spans clinical molecular genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, and laboratory medicine, making her a leading figure in the field of cancer molecular diagnostics.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Zhang earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from The Johns Hopkins University in 2003, alongside a Master’s degree in Computer Science with a focus on Bioinformatics in 2002. She obtained her MD from Peking University, Beijing, China, in 1994. She holds multiple clinical licensures and board certifications, including Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics from the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics. Her strong educational foundation in medicine, biochemistry, molecular biology, and computational science has equipped her with the interdisciplinary expertise required for advancing molecular diagnostics and precision medicine.
Professional Experience
Dr. Zhang has held several prestigious roles in molecular pathology and diagnostics. Since 2020, she has been a Professor and Director at UCLA, leading advanced molecular diagnostics initiatives. Previously, she served as a Director and Molecular Geneticist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from 2005 to 2019, overseeing diagnostic molecular genetics laboratories and contributing to groundbreaking cancer research. Her earlier roles include research positions at the National Research Institute for Family Planning in China. Additionally, she has been actively involved in professional committees, journal reviews, and mentorship programs, furthering advancements in molecular diagnostics and genetic research.
Research Interest
Dr. Liying Zhang’s research focuses on molecular diagnostics, cancer genomics, and precision oncology. She is dedicated to identifying genetic biomarkers that enhance cancer detection, prognosis, and treatment strategies. Her work involves integrating next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, bioinformatics, and molecular pathology to improve the accuracy and efficiency of cancer diagnostics. She is particularly interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor development, drug resistance, and targeted therapies. Through collaborations with oncologists, geneticists, and data scientists, she aims to translate genetic findings into clinically actionable insights that improve patient outcomes. Her research also extends to liquid biopsy, epigenetics, and the development of novel molecular assays for early cancer detection.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Zhang has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing her contributions to molecular genetics and cancer diagnostics. She has been honored as a Fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (FACMG), acknowledging her leadership and expertise in clinical molecular genetics. She has also received research excellence awards from institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and UCLA for her groundbreaking work in cancer molecular diagnostics. Additionally, she has been an invited speaker at leading international conferences, including the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) and the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP). Her contributions to scientific research and clinical practice have earned her recognition as a thought leader in precision medicine and molecular oncology.
Research Skills
Dr. Zhang possesses a diverse range of research skills in molecular diagnostics and genomics. She is proficient in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, whole-genome and transcriptome analysis, and single-cell sequencing. She has extensive experience in bioinformatics, data mining, and computational modeling for genetic variant interpretation. Her expertise includes designing and validating molecular assays for clinical diagnostics, including PCR-based and hybrid capture-based sequencing methods. She is also skilled in laboratory management, regulatory compliance, and quality control in clinical molecular genetics laboratories. Additionally, her strong background in translational research allows her to bridge the gap between basic scientific discoveries and clinical applications, ensuring that her findings have a direct impact on patient care and personalized treatment strategies.
Conclusion
Dr. Liying Zhang is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award due to her exceptional contributions to molecular diagnostics, cancer genomics, and precision medicine. Her extensive experience in research leadership, grant acquisition, and clinical applications makes her an outstanding candidate. Strengthening her independent research leadership and international collaborations would further solidify her candidacy for this prestigious award.
Publications Top Noted
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Title: Inherited DNA-repair gene mutations in men with metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: CC Pritchard, J Mateo, MF Walsh, N De Sarkar, W Abida, H Beltran, …
Year: 2016
Citation: 1765
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Title: Clinical results of long-term follow-up of a large, active surveillance cohort with localized prostate cancer
Authors: L Klotz, L Zhang, A Lam, R Nam, A Mamedov, A Loblaw
Year: 2010
Citation: 1402
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Title: Long-term follow-up of a large active surveillance cohort of patients with prostate cancer
Authors: L Klotz, D Vesprini, P Sethukavalan, V Jethava, L Zhang, S Jain, …
Year: 2015
Citation: 1399
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Title: CT angiography clot burden score and collateral score: correlation with clinical and radiologic outcomes in acute middle cerebral artery infarct
Authors: IYL Tan, AM Demchuk, J Hopyan, L Zhang, D Gladstone, K Wong, …
Year: 2009
Citation: 792
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Title: Gene expression analysis of human prostate carcinoma during hormonal therapy identifies androgen-responsive genes and mechanisms of therapy resistance
Authors: J Holzbeierlein, P Lal, E LaTulippe, A Smith, J Satagopan, L Zhang, …
Year: 2004
Citation: 708
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Title: Microsatellite instability is associated with the presence of Lynch syndrome pan-cancer
Authors: A Latham, P Srinivasan, Y Kemel, J Shia, C Bandlamudi, D Mandelker, …
Year: 2019
Citation: 591
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Title: Prospective genomic profiling of prostate cancer across disease states reveals germline and somatic alterations that may affect clinical decision making
Authors: W Abida, J Armenia, A Gopalan, R Brennan, M Walsh, D Barron, D Danila, …
Year: 2017
Citation: 583
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Title: Celiac disease: summary
Authors: A Rostom, C Dubé, A Cranney, N Saloojee, R Sy, C Garritty, M Sampson, …
Year: 2004
Citation: 511
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Title: Mutation detection in patients with advanced cancer by universal sequencing of cancer-related genes in tumor and normal DNA vs guideline-based germline testing
Authors: D Mandelker, L Zhang, Y Kemel, ZK Stadler, V Joseph, A Zehir, …
Year: 2017
Citation: 508
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Title: Tumour lineage shapes BRCA-mediated phenotypes
Authors: P Jonsson, C Bandlamudi, ML Cheng, P Srinivasan, SS Chavan, …
Year: 2019
Citation: 384
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Title: Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer: updated clinical practice guidelines
Authors: VR Blair, M McLeod, F Carneiro, DG Coit, JL D’Addario, JM van Dieren, …
Year: 2020
Citation: 381
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Title: Update of the international consensus on palliative radiotherapy endpoints for future clinical trials in bone metastases
Authors: E Chow, P Hoskin, G Mitera, L Zeng, S Lutz, D Roos, C Hahn, …
Year: 2012
Citation: 374
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Title: Reliable pan-cancer microsatellite instability assessment by using targeted next-generation sequencing data
Authors: S Middha, L Zhang, K Nafa, G Jayakumaran, D Wong, HR Kim, …
Year: 2017
Citation: 363
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Title: Genetic predictors of response to systemic therapy in esophagogastric cancer
Authors: YY Janjigian, F Sanchez-Vega, P Jonsson, WK Chatila, JF Hechtman, …
Year: 2018
Citation: 352
