Scholarship: Fully-Funded
Degree: PhD
Nationality: International Students
Location: USA
Application deadlines: Open until filled.
Scholarship Description:
About the labs
Led by Drs. Peng Zhao and Xiaoli Sun, our labs engage communities at the Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, the UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the UT Health San Antonio Transplant Center to bring together sectors around a common interest in interconnected chronic diseases, including metabolic diseases and cancer. We combine basic science with clinical knowledge to understand disease pathophysiology and identify novel therapeutic targets for more effective disease therapies (Zhao, et al, Cell 2018; Sun, et al, Cell Metabolism 2020; Zhao, Sun, et al, Science 2020). We analyze human samples and employ genetically engineered mouse models to identify key players in diseases and understand disease initiation and progression. The combination of these systems with technologies including biochemistry, molecular biology, next-generation sequencing, single-cell technology, spatial transcriptomics, flow cytometry, proteomics, and lipidomics is providing striking new insights into mechanisms at the molecular and cellular levels that are relevant to chronic diseases including diabetes, atherosclerosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases, and liver cancer. Please refer to our website to find out more about our exciting ongoing research programs (https://www.zhao-sun-lab.org/).
About the big environment
UT Health San Antonio is the largest health sciences university in South Texas. It is located in the South Texas Medical Center and serves San Antonio and all of the 50,000 square miles (130,000 km2) area of Central and South Texas. UT Health San Antonio has produced more than 28,000 graduates; more than 3,000 students a year train in an environment that involves more than 100 affiliated hospitals, clinics, and health care facilities in South Texas. The university offers more than 65 degrees, the large majority of them being graduate and professional degrees, in the biomedical and health sciences fields.
San Antonio, the 7th largest U.S. city, is one of the safest big cities in the country. It was given high marks for its many amenities, low cost of living, affordable real estate, excellent schools and sunny weather. San Antonio residents love the city for fine dining, scenic boat rides, and plenty of outdoor activities. Historic arts, live music and cultural festivals throughout the year also add to the attractions and inviting atmosphere of the city.
Available Subjects:
Metabolism, vascular diseases, physiology, molecular biology or related areas are preferred. Research scholars with a background in bioinformatics, microbiome and previous experience within the broad biomedical research area are also encouraged to apply
Eligibility criteria:
The successful candidate will receive trainings in translational research on metabolic disorders and liver cancer, as well as career development skills, including grant applications.
Application Procedure:
Please email your cover letter and CV to Drs. Peng Zhao (zhaop@uthscsa.edu) or Xiaoli Sun (sunx1@uthscsa.edu) for further discussion.