Lab Members
Albert C. Koong, M.D., Ph.D.
Division Head and Chair, Radiation Oncology
Principal Investigator
Dr. Albert C. Koong is the Division Head and Chair of Radiation Oncology and holds the Olga Keith and Harry Carothers Wiess Distinguished University Chair in Cancer Research. He is a Fellow of the American College of Radiology (FACR) and a Fellow of ASTRO (FASTRO).
His clinical research interests are focused on the application of highly targeted radiotherapy techniques for gastrointestinal malignancies, particularly on the use of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)/stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for pancreatic and liver cancer. His NIH/NCI funded laboratory studies the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in tumor growth and metastases.
His major laboratory research focus is to develop therapies that target signaling pathways regulated by the tumor microenvironment and to develop biomarkers that are predictive of clinical outcomes.
Dadi Jiang, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Jiang has a solid background in cancer biology, drug discovery and bioinformatic analysis of large-scale omics data. His current research focuses on investigating the IRE1/XBP1 pathway of the unfolded protein response (UPR) as a therapeutic target for cancer treatment and developing novel therapeutic strategies to target this pathway.
He is also conducting research on particle therapy, FLASH radiation and radiation-induced anti-tumor immune response with a multi-investigator team.
Xianzhou Song, Ph.D.
Instructor
Dr. Song dedicates himself to understanding the molecular mechanisms of cancer progression, finding novel targets for drug development and exploring better drugs for cancer treatment. Recently, his research focuses on the unfolded protein response (UPR), a conserved stress response pathway to maintain protein homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Both intrinsic and ER-stress induced UPR are investigated for their contributions to pancreatic cancer development.
In addition, he is currently working on modifying a small molecular inhibitor (SMI) targeting IRE1a (ER stress sensor) to optimize its performance for pancreatic cancer therapy.
Liang Wang, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Wang received his B.S. in biotechnology from Fudan University in China and his Ph.D. in cancer biology from the MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He joined the Koong Lab in 2018 as a postdoctoral fellow. His research focuses on the study of ER stress and tumor microenvironment.
His projects involve identification and validation of new molecular targets for cancer therapy. Outside of lab, he enjoys spending time in the gym and hiking with friends.
Youming Guo, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Guo received her B.S. in biotechnology from Jilin University and Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from Medical University of South Carolina. She joined the Koong Lab in March 2020. She previously worked on endothelial senescence and aging during her Ph.D. studies.
Currently, she focuses on small molecule therapeutics targeting the UPR pathway and radiation sensitization utilizing multiple PDX models. Outside of lab, she is a cat lover and likes road trips.
Ling Xia, M.S.
Senior Research Assistant
Ling earned her M.S. in basic science from Guangdong University of Technology in China. She has many years of experience in molecular and cancer biology with lab scientists and clinical fellows and joined the Koong Lab in 2018. Currently she focuses on transgenic/knock-out/knock-in colonies in the lab.
She also coordinates daily laboratory management, compliance and maintenance.
Vincent Bernard Pagan, M.D., Ph.D.
Resident, Radiation Oncology
Dr. Pagan received his B.S. in chemical and biomolecular engineering. He completed a M.D./Ph.D. through a U54 partnership program between the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine and MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
He is now a PGY4 Radiation Oncology resident in the Holman Research Pathway studying mechanisms of radioresistance in GI malignancies. Outside of the clinic and lab he enjoys running, weekend trips to Costco, and spending time with his wife, son and dogs.
Tianyu Wang, B.S.
Ph.D. Student
Tianyu received his B.S. in biological sciences from Nankai University, China, and he was trained at MD Anderson Cancer Center as a visiting student in his last two years of college. Now, Tianyu is a Ph.D. student in the cancer biology program at MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences under the supervision of Dr. Albert Koong and Dr. Dadi Jiang.
Tianyu's research focus is the underlying mechanisms of PDAC therapy resistance and recurrence and novel therapeutic strategies, with a special interest in KRAS inhibition, radiation and ER stress. Outside of the lab, Tianyu likes to play basketball and watch the NBA.
Henry Meyer, B.A.
Ph.D. Student
Henry received his B.A. in physics from Carthage College and is currently a medical physics Ph.D. student at MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He is advised by Dr. Radhe Mohan and Dr. Albert Koong. He joined the Koong Lab in January 2024. Henry's previous research investigated the production of terrestrial gamma ray flashes and proton-boron fusion therapy through Monte Carlo particle physics simulations.
His current work is primarily focused on optimization of radiation therapy parameters to induce systemic anti-tumor immune responses. Outside of the lab, he enjoys weightlifting, mountain biking and riding motorcycles.
Tara Fujimoto, B.S.
Research Laboratory Manager
Tara earned her B.S. in microbiology and immunology from Wright State University in 2012. Her previous work in the laboratory of Cullen Taniguchi, M.D., Ph.D., at MD Anderson focused on radiation protection of the gastrointestinal system when using ablative radiation to treat pancreatic cancer. She currently coordinates daily laboratory management, compliance and maintenance with Ling for the Koong Lab, in addition to the Spiotto Lab.
She also collaborates with the Radiation Oncology Physician Scientist Program and Experimental Radiation Oncology administrative support teams to provide support to all wet lab Radiation Oncology Physician Scientist laboratories. Outside of the office she enjoys horse-back riding, recreational sports and attempting to thwart her non-green thumb with some container gardens.
Matthew Cribb, Ph.D.
TRIUMPH Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Cribb received his B.S. and M.S. in mechanical engineering, and his Ph.D. in bioengineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He received the TRIUMPH (Translational Research in Multi-Disciplinary Program) Postdoctoral Fellowship and joined the Taniguchi Lab in February 2022, transitioning to the Koong Lab in 2023. He previously studied how the immune response contributes to lymphedema development through its effects on lymphatic function.
Currently, he studies the mechanisms of hypoxic crosstalk between tumor cells, CAFs and immune cells in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment. Outside of the lab, he enjoys golfing and creating music.
Jasper Chen, B.S., M.S.E.
M.D./Ph.D. Candidate
Jasper is pursuing both an M.D. and Ph.D. through the Medical Scientist Training and Quantitative Science programs at MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He received his B.S. and M.S.E. in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University.
His thesis project entails identifying mechanisms of pancreatic cancer therapy resistance. Outside of the lab, he enjoys cooking.
Nefetiti Mims, B.S.
Research Assistant II
Nefetiti joined the Koong Lab in November 2023. She attended Tuskegee University and completed a B.S. in animal and veterinary science in 2021. She is interested in cancer biology and supports the team with preclinical models.
Outside of the lab, she enjoys long walks with her furry friend, journaling, traveling and enjoying new experiences.
Ariana Acevedo Diaz, B.S.
Research Assistant I
Ariana received a B.S. in human biology from the University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon Campus in 2022. During her high school and undergraduate years, she conducted research in the field of therapeutic compounds and biological mechanism for triple-negative and inflammatory breast cancer.
Her current work focuses on elucidating the role of ferroptosis and its mechanism in radiation resistance. Outside the lab, Ariana enjoys dancing, drawing and listening to podcasts.
Maya Ferrell, B.S.
Research Assistant I
Maya graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2023 with a B.S. in biochemistry and public health. She joined the laboratory of Cullen Taniguchi, M.D., Ph.D., at MD Anderson as a summer student through the CPRIT CURE summer program.
After graduation, she returned as a research assistant and is studying stem cell biology of the intestine following radiation injury. Outside of lab she enjoys running, knitting and trying new recipes. She will be heading to Washington University in St. Louis to join the incoming M.D./Ph.D. class.
Morgan Green, B.S.
Research Assistant I
Morgan graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a B.S. in agriculture in 2022. Morgan has spent her academic career gaining hands on experience with animals of varying species, including lab animals, to prepare her for a career in veterinary medicine and research.
Currently, her work involves modeling PDAC in an orthotopic progeria mouse model and comparing the fibrosis to that of human pancreas samples. In her free time, she spends time with her family and her cockatiel Toby, enjoys live music and watches movies.
Ayeisha Colon-Ortiz, B.S.
Research Assistant I
Ayeisha received her B.S. degree in cellular-molecular biology from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus in 2023. During her undergraduate years, she conducted research in the field of triple-negative inflammatory breast cancer.
Given her interest in understanding the mechanisms underlying aggressive cancers, her current work focuses on the crosstalk between pancreatic cancer and the immune system and how hypoxia alters the tumor microenvironment. Outside of the lab, Ayeisha enjoys working out, photography and listening to Young Miko.
Sahar Fattani, B.S., M.S.
Research Assistant I
Sahar received her B.S. in biology from Prairie View A&M University and her M.S. in medical science from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. During her undergraduate years, she conducted research in the field of chemistry.
With a strong interest in cancer, immunotherapy and drug development, her current work studies hypoxia-induced factors (HIFs) in the pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment. Sahar enjoys traveling, crocheting and volunteering outside of her professional work.