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Yong (Kevin) Jiang, Ph.D.

Associate ProfessorÌý
yong.jiang@utoledo.eduÌý

EDUCATION:

1997Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý M.S.Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýGeneticsÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Wuhan University, Hubei, China
2005Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýPh.D.Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýBiochemistry andÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Wayne State University, School of Medicine
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Molecular BiologyÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Detroit, MI, USA
2010Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Post DocÌý Ìý Ìý Cancer BiologyÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
2013Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Post DocÌý Ìý Ìý Cancer BiologyÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

RESEARCH INTERESTS:Ìý

Dr. Jiang earned his Ph.D. from the Wayne State University School of Medicine, where he developed a strong foundation in biochemistry and gained extensive research experience. His expertise includes gene expression regulation, protein purification, protein structure analysis, protein-protein interactions, and functional characterization of genes.

During his postdoctoral training at the Medical University of South Carolina and the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Jiang focused on the mechanistic roles of the TGF-ß and Wnt signaling pathways--two critical regulators of tumorigenesis and metastasis. His research explored how these pathways function in both tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment, advancing the understanding of their roles in cancer progression.

Dr. Jiang’s research centers on the molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis, with a particular focus on the TGF-ß and Wnt signaling pathways. His recent work investigates the role of a novel protein kinase, DSTYK, in driving epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and contributing to resistance to therapies, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

His lab is also pioneering the use of engineered exosomes as targeted drug delivery vehicles to improve treatment specificity and reduce off-target effects. By developing exosome-based delivery systems that selectively target cancer cells, Dr. Jiang aims to enhance therapeutic efficacy and minimize side effects. This innovative approach holds the potential to redefine current cancer treatment strategies and identify new therapeutic targets.

Specific Research Goals/Projects

1. Identification of Novel Therapeutic Targets to Combat Metastasis and Therapy Resistance in Cancer:
   Focused on uncovering and characterizing key molecular drivers and signaling pathways responsible for metastatic progression and resistance to conventional treatments, with the goal of developing targeted strategies to improve patient outcomes.
2. Engineering Exosome-Mediated Delivery Platforms for Targeted Cancer Therapy:
   Development of bioengineered exosome-based systems for the specific and efficient delivery of therapeutic cargos (e.g., RNA, proteins, small molecules) to tumor cells, aiming to enhance treatment precision while minimizing off-target effects.
3. Advancement of Nanobody-Based Therapeutics to Enhance Cancer Treatment Efficacy:
   Design and optimization of nanobody-based modalities, including bispecific and multivalent formats, to improve tumor targeting, immune engagement, and overall therapeutic response in solid and hematological malignancies.
   
   

FUNDING:

Ongoing Research Support

R01CA272760, National Cancer Institute
Enhancing chemotherapeutic efficacy in triple-negative breast cancer via DSTYK silence
04/01/2023-03/31/2028
Role: PIÌý

Completed Research Support
None

PUBLICATIONS:

STUDENT OPENINGS:ÌýÌýCurrently accepting Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., and M.S.M.D. students