Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shangze Li | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award
Assistant to the Dean | Chongqing University | China
Dr. Shangze Li (Ph.D., Associate Professor, Ph.D. Supervisor) is a distinguished researcher in the fields of antiviral innate immune signaling, inflammatory responses, and tumor biology. He is based at the School of Medicine, Chongqing University, where he leads a research group and supervises doctoral students. His work integrates advanced genetic engineering technologies such as gene knockout, knock-in approaches, and disease models to investigate the molecular basis of immune regulation and cancer development. Dr. Li has published extensively in leading international journals including Nature Communications, Cell Death and Differentiation, Cancer Research, Oncogene, and Cancer Letters, with several contributions featured in Nature Index journals. His studies have been widely cited, reflecting both scientific impact and relevance to the global biomedical community. In addition to research, he is actively involved in teaching, mentoring, editorial service, and academic leadership, contributing to the advancement of both education and medical research.
Professional Profile
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Education
Dr. Li completed his doctoral degree in Cell Biology at Wuhan University, where he focused on the molecular mechanisms that link immune regulation to tumorigenesis. Prior to his doctoral training, he pursued two undergraduate degrees, one in Bioengineering from the Chengdu University of Technology and another in Business Administration from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. This unique combination of scientific and managerial education provided him with both technical expertise and leadership skills. After completing his doctorate, Dr. Li undertook postdoctoral training at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, where he worked on projects exploring molecular oncology, innate immunity, and translational approaches in cancer research. His diverse academic background, spanning engineering, business, molecular biology, and medical research, has prepared him to integrate interdisciplinary knowledge in his career. This foundation continues to guide his role as a scientist, supervisor, and contributor to medical and biological sciences.
Experience
Dr. Li began his professional research career at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, where he served as a postdoctoral researcher in molecular oncology and immune regulation. Following this period of international training, he returned to China and accepted an appointment at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University and the College of Life Sciences, where he contributed to teaching and research in biomedical sciences. He later joined the School of Medicine at Chongqing University as a faculty member, where he was subsequently promoted to Associate Professor and Ph.D. Supervisor. In this role, he leads a laboratory focused on investigating immune signaling and cancer development. In addition to his research and teaching, Dr. Li has taken on administrative responsibilities, serving as Assistant to the Dean and Deputy Director of Shared Core Facilities for Medical Research. His experience reflects a career that balances leadership, education, and internationally recognized scientific research.
Research Interests
Dr. Li’s research centers on the molecular mechanisms of innate immune signaling, inflammation, and tumor biology. His work explores how signaling pathways regulate immune homeostasis and contribute to tumor initiation and progression. He employs genetically modified cell lines, CRISPR-based technologies, and animal models to examine the functional roles of key genes in these processes. His studies often focus on ubiquitination and deubiquitination pathways, NF-κB signaling, and the crosstalk between cellular metabolism and cell death. This approach provides critical insights into how molecular dysregulation drives oncogenesis and resistance to therapy. His research also emphasizes translational applications, identifying potential biomarkers and therapeutic strategies that may guide novel approaches in cancer treatment and immune-related diseases. By integrating molecular biology, immunology, and cancer research, Dr. Li contributes to advancing both fundamental scientific knowledge and practical innovations for improving health outcomes.
Awards
Dr. Li’s research achievements have been recognized through broad citation and publication in top international journals. His scholarly contributions have been acknowledged in Nature Communications, Molecular Cancer, Cancer Research, and other leading journals, with some articles featured as cover stories in Nature Index publications. His body of work has earned substantial recognition in the scientific community, reflected in a strong citation record and consistent invitations to review for leading journals. He has also served as Guest Editor for Vaccines and as a reviewer for the National Natural Science Foundation of China, underscoring his role as a trusted scientific evaluator. Beyond research output, Dr. Li has contributed actively to professional organizations, including serving as a council member of the Chongqing Association of Young Scientists and participating in national academic initiatives. His record demonstrates recognition for both scholarly impact and professional service, positioning him as a strong candidate for scientific honors.
Top Noted Publications
Dr. Li has authored more than forty peer-reviewed publications, including a substantial number as first or corresponding author. His research has appeared in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, Molecular Cancer, Oncogene, Cancer Research, and Cancer Letters. Selected publications include Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 1 Promotes Bladder Cancer Progression in Cells, CLK2 mediates NF-κB regulation in Nature Communications, Crosstalk between metabolism and cell death in tumorigenesis in Molecular Cancer, USP14 promotes colorectal cancer progression in Cell Death & Disease, and MAPK signaling and drug resistance in prostate cancer in Cancer Research. These publications reflect his long-term focus on the molecular basis of immune regulation and cancer biology. His findings have been widely cited and have advanced understanding of tumorigenesis, therapeutic resistance, and immunoregulation. Collectively, his research portfolio highlights his contributions to both fundamental science and translational medicine, strengthening his standing as an influential scholar in the field of biomedical research.
Title: Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 1 Promotes Bladder Cancer Progression
Journal: Cells
Year: 2024
Cited by: 15+
Title: CLK2 mediates IkappaBalpha-independent NF-κB regulation
Journal: Nature Communications
Year: 2024
Cited by: 30+
Title: Crosstalk between metabolism and cell death in tumorigenesis
Journal: Molecular Cancer
Year: 2024
Cited by: 40+
Title: USP14 promotes colorectal cancer progression
Journal: Cell Death & Disease
Year: 2023
Cited by: 25+
Title: Activation of MAPK by CXCR7 causes drug resistance
Journal: Cancer Research
Year: 2019
Cited by: 200+
Conclusion
Dr. Shangze Li is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His outstanding research achievements, strong academic influence, and balanced contributions to teaching, mentorship, and professional service highlight his excellence as a scholar. With continued focus on international collaboration, high-impact publications, and global leadership roles, he is exceptionally well-positioned to be recognized with this award.