Omics and Immunity Collective - Zhang Lab
Our Team.
United by passion and purpose, we are committed to driving science forward and turning challenges into discoveries.
Mei Zhang, PhD, MBA
Principle Investigator
Assistant Professor
BME, CWRU SOM
Dr. Zhang leads the Omics and Immunity Collective laboratory with a passion for exploring the connection between immune systems and microbes to advance therapeutic strategies. Trained as a chemist with a PhD in Polymer Physics and Chemistry from Wuhan University, her early research focused on carbohydrate-protein interactions. Her journey includes nano-medicine research in Canada and a faculty position in Hong Kong. Now at CWRU SOM’s Biomedical Engineering program, she combines system immunology, microbiology, and bioinformatics to study immune-metabolic mechanisms that influence health and disease.
Véronique Roche, PhD
Co-Investogator
Senior Research Associate
BME, CWRU SOM
Dr. Roche brings a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm to our team. With a Master’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Orléans and a PhD in Cellular Biology and Oncology from the University of Paris, she joined our lab driven by a passion for developing innovative immunotherapies and unraveling the complexities of microbe-host interactions. We are thrilled to have her as part of our team!
Claire Wolford
Research Assistant III
BME, CWRU SOM
Claire was an integral part of our team as a research assistant from 2021 to 2023. We’re thrilled to congratulate her on starting medical school at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine in fall 2023! Claire has successfully completed the first phase of her medical training and is now preparing to care for real patients starting November 2024. Her dedication and contributions to our research have been invaluable, and we’re confident she’ll bring the same passion and commitment to her journey as a doctor. Best wishes, Claire—we’re so proud of you!
Filip Sagl
Research Assistant II
BME, CWRU SOM
Filip was an invaluable part of our team as a research assistant from 2023 to 2024, contributing his dedication to advancing our microbiology-focused projects. We are thrilled to congratulate him on the next adventure - joining the Bioethics Program at John Hopkins. We know he will bring the same enthusiasm and thoughtfulness to his new path. Beyond scientific brilliance, Filip has a talent for photography, capturing moments with the same precision he brought to our imaging studies.
Hyuga Kato
Visiting Scholar (BME, CWRU SOM)
Post-doc candidate (Tokyo Tech)
Hyuga is a visiting scholar from Professor Kajiwara’s laboratory at Tokyo Institute of Technology. He brought invaluable expertise in mycobiology to our lab, significantly enriching our team dynamic with his dedication, responsibility, and courtesy. His contributions to our medical fungus-related project elevated our research, and we appreciate his time with us and the knowledge he shared - thank you for being part of our journey!
Sahishnu Vallabhajoysula
Research Assistant
BME, CWRU SOM
Sahi is our research assistant. He is also an undergraduate student in the Department of Biochemistry at CWRU SOM. He joined our team through the NIH YES program, spending two summers conducting research with us before pursuing his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. Throughout his undergraduate studies, he has been an active and enthusiastic member of our team, contributing to our metabolomics research with dedication. His passion for science and eagerness to learn have been invaluable, and we feel fortunate to have trained such a talented and committed undergraduate researcher.
Our Student Trainees
We are dedicated to training the next generation of scientists. Our summer students gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge research, fostering their growth and passion for discovery.
Lindsay Stone
CanSur Student 2024 (BME, CWRU)​
Undergraduate Student (BME, Penn State)
Amanda Duban
Summer Research Student 2024
Undergraduate Student (BME, CWRU)
Melanie Uroda
Summer Research Student 2024
Undergraduate Student (BME, CWRU)
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Leandra Padgett
Summer Research Student, 2023
(BME, CWRU)