Tumor Immunology, Immunotherapy, Metastasis, Multi-Omics, AI in Cancer
Xin Lu, Ph.D.
John M. and Mary Jo Boler Collegiate Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Notre Dame
Affiliations:
Full member, Harper Cancer Research Institute
Full member, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare Diseases
Cluster Chair, Cellular & Molecular Biology Cluster, Integrated Biomedical Sciences PhD Program
Member, Warren Family Center for Drug Discovery;
Member, Chemistry-Biochemistry-Biology Interface Program;
Member, Eck Institute for Global Health;
Member, Berthiaume Institute for Precision Health (BIPH)
Full Member, Cancer Biology & Microenvironment (CBM) Program,
Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN
Phone: 574-631-6592 (office); 574-631-3960 (lab)
Email: xlu@nd.edu
Web: https://lulab.nd.edu/
Brief Biography
- John M. and Mary Jo Boler Collegiate Professor, University of Notre Dame, IN 2026-present
- John M. and Mary Jo Boler Associate Professor, University of Notre Dame, IN 2022-2026
- John M. and Mary Jo Boler Assistant Professor, University of Notre Dame, IN 2017-2022
- Instructor, Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 2014-2016
- Jane Coffin Childs Postdoctoral Fellow. Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 2011-2014
- Jane Coffin Childs Postdoctoral Fellow. Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 2010-2011
- Ph.D. (Molecular Biology), Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 2004-2010
- B.S. (Biological Sciences), Tsinghua University, Beijing, China 2000-2004
Lab Manager
Nipuni Barupala
nbarupal@nd.edu
Nipuni serves as the Lab Manager for the Lu Lab. With over a decade of research experience and a PhD in Cellular and Integrative Physiology from the Indiana University School of Medicine, she brings an extensive background in physiological research and peer-reviewed publishing. In her current role, she oversees lab operations, research administration, and regulatory compliance, ensuring the seamless execution of the lab’s advanced cancer immunology programs.
Postdoctoral Researchers
Yaoyin Li
yli59@nd.edu
Yaoyin is focusing on the role of HPV infection in reprograming tumor microenvironment. He hopes to develop a new immunotherapy treatment for cancers.
Ravi Dhiman
rdhiman@nd.edu
My postdoctoral research explores how tumor cells transmit Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress via endosomes to shape immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. By integrating membrane biology, cellular stress signaling, and tumor immunology, this work aims to uncover novel mechanisms of immune evasion and immunosuppression in cancer.
Zhe Wang
zwang54@nd.edu
Dr. Zhe Wang has expertise in cancer biology, particularly the role of tumor microenvironment and matrix stiffness in breast cancer metastasis. She investigates how neutrophils regulate cancer metastasis and deciphers tumor-immune metabolic interplay.
Yan Liu, PhD
yliu58@nd.edu
I got my PhD degree at Purdue University, specializing in the field of Microbiology and Biochemistry with a specific focus on host-microbe interactions. Throughout my PhD research, I developed a keen interest in cancer biology and immunotherapy, which ultimately led me to make the decision to join the Lu lab.
Graduate Students (PhD track)
Julim Lee
jlee2345@nd.edu
I received my B.S. and M.S. degrees in South Korea, where I conducted research in genetic engineering. Currently, my research interests focus on cancer biology. Outside the lab, I enjoy watching movies.
Adrian Chao
achao@nd.edu
I am currently a student in the Biological Sciences PhD program, and I joined the Lu Lab in Spring 2024. My research revolves around the role of immunometabolism in cancer development, progression, and metastasis. More specifically, I am currently investigating how the expression of ACOD1/IRG1 (a key protein in immunometabolism) in myeloid cells such as neutrophils and macrophages impacts the immune response to cancer.
Shiying Jia (Emily)
sjia3@nd.edu
I completed my B.S. in China, diving into the role of KLF5 in the initiation and progression of prostate cancer. Over the years, my research interests have expanded from cancer biology to more interdisciplinary fields, including tumor immunology and tumor metabolism. Beyond the lab, I enjoy swimming, watching movies, reading novels, and capturing moments through photography.
Ying Yin (Clare)
yyin2@nd.edu
I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Biological Science from Wuhan University, am now pursuing a PhD in BIOS program. My research interests are primarily focused on tumor immunology, exploring how the immune system interacts with cancer cells. Outside of the lab, I have a passion for baking and experimenting with new recipes, as well as delving into culinary research.
Minzhi Liang
mliang3@nd.edu
I completed my B.S. in China and earned my M.S. at UCI, during which I explored the function of XIST long non-coding RNA in ovarian cancer. Throughout the years, I came to realize that I love research and my interest has evolved to study and explore cancer biology. Outside the lab, I enjoy reading fantasy novels and watching movies.
Shiyu Wang
swang28@nd.edu
I have a background in pharmacology and tumor immunology. I am working on tumor immunotherapy now. Also, I like birding and soccer!
Yujing Qin
yqin5@nd.edu
My undergraduate degree was completed at Pennsylvania State University, where I majored in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB) with a minor in Biology. My research interests center on cancer immunity. Outside the lab, I enjoy boxing, have five years of MMA experience, and have a passion for singing, cooking, and spending time with kittens.
Ziyu Zeng
zzeng4@nd.edu
Now a BIOS graduate student, Ziyu is from Guangzhou, China. Ziyu received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences with a supplementary major in ACMS. She is passionate about combining the power of bioinformatics and benchwork to decipher the cancer-cell-intrinsic mechanisms that shape the immunosuppressive microenvironment.
Undergraduate Students (Notre Dame)
Oliver Wardhana
owardhan@nd.edu
Oliver Wardhana is a sophomore pursuing a major in Biology and a supplementary major in Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Oliver has persistently questioning the "why's" and "how's" of the world. This led him to a passion for the life sciences, data, and biotechnology. Mentored by Ziyu Zeng, Oliver is working towards a Glynn Honors Thesis by analyzing protein and transcript level androgen-resistance effects of three-dimensional culturing across multiple prostate cancer cell variants. After his time at Notre Dame, he aspires to enter graduate school and work advancing a more computational biological world.
Xiaotian Chi
xchi2@nd.edu
Xiaotian Chi is a sophomore majoring in biological sciences (cell and developmental biology). She is from Shandong, China. She is interested in cancer biology, especially the mechanisms of cancer-immune interaction, and tumor immunotherapy. After undergraduate studies, Xiaotian plans on pursuing a PhD. She loves dancing and k-pop music.
Avery Hsu
yzhao28@nd.edu
Matthew McGowan
mmcgowa5@nd.edu
Brigid McKinley
bmckinle@nd.edu
Julia Woeste
jwoeste@nd.edu
Summer Students (2026)
iSURE Program
Zijing "Jimmy" Wu
Xiaoyin Zhang
Yangyi Zhang
Xin Xiong
BioREU Program
Ella Wurtzbacher
RC3 (High School Student) Program by HCRI
Esmeralda Armenta-Bedolla
Alumni
Postdoctoral Fellows
- Nyasha Makoni, Ph.D. (2021-2022) Current position: Scientist, National Resilience, Boston
- Yun Zhao, Ph.D. (2019-2023) Current position: Senior Scientist at a cancer immunotherapy company in Shanghai, China
- Tianhe Huang, M.D., Ph.D. (2018-2021), current position: Physician oncologist, China
- Fang Liu, Ph.D. (Mar – Oct 2018, co-mentored with Dr. Kasturi Haldar) Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow in Kasturi Haldar lab
- Shan Feng, Ph.D. (2017-2018) Current position: Director, Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Graduate Students
- Loan Duong: PhD in Integrated Biomedical Science (IBMS), 2021-2026. Thesis on “Overcoming KRAS-driven resistance in pancreatic cancer: escape mechanisms and metabolic therapeutic strategiesr”.
- Guoqiang Liu: PhD in Integrated Biomedical Science (IBMS), 2019-2025. Thesis on “Mechanistic insights into immunotherapy and the development of CDH3-targeted therapy for aggressive basal-like prostate cancer and breast cancer”. Current position: Senior Life Sciences Consultant, Simon-Kucher, Chicago, IL
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Yuting Zhang: PhD in Integrated Biomedical Science (IBMS), 2019-2024. Thesis on “Modeling, mechanistic understanding, and therapeutic targeting of immunosuppressive neutrophils”. Current position: Postdoc Fellow, Nicola L. Jones group, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital For Sick Children, University of Toronto.
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Xuechun Wang: MS and PhD (2018-2024). Thesis on “Synthetic essentiality in VHL-deficient renal cell carcinoma”. Current position: Postdoc Fellow in UT Southwestern.
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Sean Murphy: PhD in Biological Sciences (2019-2024), Thesis on “Killing cancer with keto: an investigation about the efficacy of a ketogenic diet to treat and prevent castration resistant prostate cancer and clear cell renal cell carcinoma”. Current position: Postdoc fellow, University of Cincinnati.
- Sharif Rahmy: PhD in Integrated Biomedical Science (IBMS), 2017-2022. Thesis on “overcoming resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapy”. Current position: Senior Scientist in-vivo early oncology, AstraZeneca. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srahmy/
- Yini Zhu: PhD in Integrated Biomedical Science (IBMS), 2018-2022. Thesis on “Targeting the cancer-cell-intrinsic mechanisms to reverse the immunosuppressive landscape and enhance immunotherapy in prostate cancer”. Current position: Junior faculty, Southeast University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
- Miaomiao Sun: Master of Science (2018-2020), thesis on “Antibody-drug conjugate efficacy for breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers”. Current position: PhD Program in Cancer Biology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
- Meidan Wang: Master of Science (2018-2020), thesis on “Combined immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for colon and ovarian cancers”. Current position: PhD Program in Oncology and Cancer Biology, The University of Freiburg, Germany
Undergraduate students
- William Pater (2023-2026)
- Ella Hall (2023-2026)
- Arya Park (2025-2026)
- Maggie Zhao (2024-2025)
- Soleil Tarver (2024-2025)
- Ethan Dimaano (2024-2025)
- Stephen Holland (2024-2025)
- Kate Crist (2025): now research associate at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Jiye Hutchinson (2025)
- Catherine Chung (2024)
- Ella Foster (2024)
- Ariana Arce (2023), now PhD student in UT Southwestern Medical Center
- Keegan Gilbert (2023)
- Hawraa Al Janabi (2023)
- Caroline Kaczmarek (2023)
- Maxim Manyak (2023)
- Rachel Whitehead (2023)
- Michael Chou (2023)
- Marco Napolitano (2022)
- Eun Suh Sung (2022), now at Columbia University for a MA in Biotechnology
- Emily Wilt (2022)
- Elizabeth Kerner (2022)
- Tommy Pham (2022)
- Ziyu "Platina" Zeng (2022)
- Sam Arroyo (2018)
- Hope Baldwin (2021)
- Louise Medina Bengtsson (2021), currently MD/PhD Program, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
- Rhea Desouza (2021)
- Christian Frederickson (2019)
- Xiao Han (exchange student from Sichuan University, 2018)
- Yanting Luo (2020), Honors Program, Paul F. Ware, M.D. Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award. Current position: PhD student in Duke University
- Jackson Mittlesteadt (2020), currently medical student in Ohio University, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
- William Morgenlander (2018), Honors Program, Outstanding Biological Scientist Award 2018. Current position: MD/PhD student in John Hopkins University)
Lab Manager/Research Assistant
- Junling Zhao (2025)
- Farhat Firdous (2023-2025)
- Valentin Calvillo (2019-2020)
- Seema Chaudhary (2017-2018)
- Xiaoxia Peng (2019-2023)
- Jessica Weaver (2022-2023)
- Anna Huron (2023)
High School Scholars
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Selma Imamovic (2022), Research Cures Cancer Corps, Harper Cancer Research Institute