Shizhen (Jane) Zhu, M.D., Ph. D.

Shizhen (Jane) Zhu, M.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Zhu serves as an Emerging Leader of the Cancer Cell Genomics, Signaling, and Metastasis Research Program in Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Zhu’s laboratory focuses on understanding neuroblastoma pathogenesis using zebrafish model with a goal to provide new insights into molecular and cell bases of neuroblastoma development, identify novel circulating prognostic markers, and develop innovative therapeutic approaches, including personalized targeted therapies and macrophage-mediated immunotherapy, to tackle this devastating childhood cancer. Dr. Zhu received her M.D. degree in China from the Norman Bethune University of Medical Sciences (currently, the Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University) and Ph.D. from the National University of Singapore. During her postdoctoral training in Dr. A. Thomas Look’s laboratory at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), she developed the first zebrafish model of neuroblastoma with metastasis which remains one of the most robust and clinically impactful zebrafish cancer models to date. Dr. Zhu has received multiple outstanding career development awards, including the NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) and PRCRP Career Development Award. She also proudly received a series of awards from V Foundation, including V Scholar Award, V Scholar Plus award and V Scholar All-Star Award.