Our Team
Principal Investigator
Jun Qi, Ph.D.
Jun received his BS degree from Fudan University in China, obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of Michigan with Prof. William Roush in 2006, and completed his postdoctoral training at MIT with Prof. Mo Movassaghi in 2009. Both his Ph.D. and postdoctoral studies have been focused on the total synthesis of natural compounds and novel synthetic methodology development. After his postdoctoral training, he led the chemistry effort in Dr. James Bradner's laboratory on developing BET bromodomain inhibitor JQ1 and optimizing this chemistry probe to a human clinical candidate. His study focuses on the design and synthesis of small molecule inhibitors targeting the gene regulation pathway for cancer therapy; and on understanding the roles of epigenetic proteins in cancers.
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Jun received his BS degree from Fudan University in China, obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of Michigan with Prof. William Roush in 2006, and completed his postdoctoral training at MIT with Prof. Mo Movassaghi in 2009. Both his Ph.D. and postdoctoral studies have been focused on the total synthesis of natural compounds and novel synthetic methodology development. After his postdoctoral training, he led the chemistry effort in Dr. James Bradner's laboratory on developing BET bromodomain inhibitor JQ1 and optimizing this chemistry probe to a human clinical candidate. His study focuses on the design and synthesis of small molecule inhibitors targeting the gene regulation pathway for cancer therapy; and on understanding the roles of epigenetic proteins in cancers.
Scientist
Qi Liu, Ph.D. (Scientist I)
Qi earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Jilin University in China, and then obtained his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences under the supervision of Prof. Shengming Ma, where he focused on developing efficient methods for synthesis of propargylic amines and allenes from terminal alkynes. Then he moved to Fudan University as a research assistant in the laboratory of Prof. Shengming Ma, where he did some research on aerobic oxidation of light alkanes. He joined the Qi lab in April 2022. Outside of lab, he enjoys hiking and listening music.
Dr. Liu is promoted to our very first Scientist in Dec. 2023 based on his excellent performance.
Ph.D. Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science
B.S. Jilin University
Qi earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Jilin University in China, and then obtained his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences under the supervision of Prof. Shengming Ma, where he focused on developing efficient methods for synthesis of propargylic amines and allenes from terminal alkynes. Then he moved to Fudan University as a research assistant in the laboratory of Prof. Shengming Ma, where he did some research on aerobic oxidation of light alkanes. He joined the Qi lab in April 2022. Outside of lab, he enjoys hiking and listening music.
Dr. Liu is promoted to our very first Scientist in Dec. 2023 based on his excellent performance.
Ph.D. Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science
B.S. Jilin University
Postdoctoral Fellows
Xianke Meng, Ph.D.
Xianke grew up in Shandong, China. After obtaining his BS degree in Applied Chemistry at Wuhan University of Technology, he continued to study for a Master degree in Chemical Biology at Lanzhou University. He moved to the Netherlands for his PhD studies in the field of carbohydrate chemistry and glycobiology at Utrecht University. His research focused on the total synthesis and biostudy of microbial sialic acids. Afterwards, he worked for one year as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Groningen. Xianke joined the Qi Lab in October 2022 to develop small molecule inhibitors for histone demethylase. Outside the lab, Xianke enjoys watching football, reading, and listening to music.
Ph.D. Utrecht University
M.S. Lanzhou University
B.A. Wuhan University of Technology
Xianke grew up in Shandong, China. After obtaining his BS degree in Applied Chemistry at Wuhan University of Technology, he continued to study for a Master degree in Chemical Biology at Lanzhou University. He moved to the Netherlands for his PhD studies in the field of carbohydrate chemistry and glycobiology at Utrecht University. His research focused on the total synthesis and biostudy of microbial sialic acids. Afterwards, he worked for one year as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Groningen. Xianke joined the Qi Lab in October 2022 to develop small molecule inhibitors for histone demethylase. Outside the lab, Xianke enjoys watching football, reading, and listening to music.
Ph.D. Utrecht University
M.S. Lanzhou University
B.A. Wuhan University of Technology
Samantha Bevill, Ph.D. (co-mentored with Dr. Bradley Bernstein)
Samantha received her B.S. in Biology from Clemson University in 2012 and her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2018. Her doctoral research in Dr. Gary Johnson’s lab focused on using proteomic techniques to identify compensatory signaling pathways responsible for adaptive resistance to targeted kinase inhibitor therapies in breast cancer. As a post-doctoral fellow, she led a project that sought to define the transcriptional regulatory landscape of liposarcoma in Dr. Bradley Bernstein’s lab. This work defined MDM2 as having a novel role in highly amplified sarcomas and revealed MDM2 high cells mediate therapeutic resistance. Her work in the Qi lab aims to establish new therapeutic strategies for selective targeting of highly MDM2-amplified tumor subpopulations. Outside the lab she enjoys baking and exploring New England with her dog and husband.
Ph.D. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
B.A. Clemson University
Samantha received her B.S. in Biology from Clemson University in 2012 and her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2018. Her doctoral research in Dr. Gary Johnson’s lab focused on using proteomic techniques to identify compensatory signaling pathways responsible for adaptive resistance to targeted kinase inhibitor therapies in breast cancer. As a post-doctoral fellow, she led a project that sought to define the transcriptional regulatory landscape of liposarcoma in Dr. Bradley Bernstein’s lab. This work defined MDM2 as having a novel role in highly amplified sarcomas and revealed MDM2 high cells mediate therapeutic resistance. Her work in the Qi lab aims to establish new therapeutic strategies for selective targeting of highly MDM2-amplified tumor subpopulations. Outside the lab she enjoys baking and exploring New England with her dog and husband.
Ph.D. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
B.A. Clemson University
Chen Song, Ph.D.
Chen earned her B.S. in Basic medicine from Sichuan University in China, and then obtained her Ph.D. in Genetics from Peking University under the supervision of Prof. Jianyuan Luo, where she focused on the phosphorylation cascade in cell biology and cancer biology. She joined the Qi lab in September 2023. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading and listening to music.
Ph.D. Peking University
B.S. Sichuan University
Chen earned her B.S. in Basic medicine from Sichuan University in China, and then obtained her Ph.D. in Genetics from Peking University under the supervision of Prof. Jianyuan Luo, where she focused on the phosphorylation cascade in cell biology and cancer biology. She joined the Qi lab in September 2023. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading and listening to music.
Ph.D. Peking University
B.S. Sichuan University
Xiuqi Wang, Ph.D.
After graduating from China Pharmaceutical University with a B.S. degree in Pharmacy(Basic Pharmacy), Xiuqi pursued his Ph.D. degree at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He majored in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology under the supervision of Prof. Hong-Yu Li and focused on the design, synthesis, and biological evaluations of FLT3 inhibitors for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia as his dissertation project. His research interest lies in the development of inhibitors and/or degraders for clinically relevant targets. Xiuqi joined the Qi lab in October 2023. Outside the lab, he enjoys hiking and reading.
Ph.D. University of Arkansas
B.S. China Pharmaceutical University
After graduating from China Pharmaceutical University with a B.S. degree in Pharmacy(Basic Pharmacy), Xiuqi pursued his Ph.D. degree at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He majored in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology under the supervision of Prof. Hong-Yu Li and focused on the design, synthesis, and biological evaluations of FLT3 inhibitors for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia as his dissertation project. His research interest lies in the development of inhibitors and/or degraders for clinically relevant targets. Xiuqi joined the Qi lab in October 2023. Outside the lab, he enjoys hiking and reading.
Ph.D. University of Arkansas
B.S. China Pharmaceutical University
Hongfang Zhao, PhD
Hongfang received her B.S. in Biotechnology from Northwest A&F University and later earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her doctoral research focused on investigating compounds derived from natural plants, where she primarily contributed to validating their anti-tumor effects and exploring the underlying mechanisms. After graduation, she worked at a company where she gained experience in genome editing and gene therapy. She joined the Qi Lab in April 2025. Outside the lab, Hongfang enjoys reading and swimming.
Ph.D. Chinese Academy of Sciences
B.S. Northwest A & F University
Hongfang received her B.S. in Biotechnology from Northwest A&F University and later earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her doctoral research focused on investigating compounds derived from natural plants, where she primarily contributed to validating their anti-tumor effects and exploring the underlying mechanisms. After graduation, she worked at a company where she gained experience in genome editing and gene therapy. She joined the Qi Lab in April 2025. Outside the lab, Hongfang enjoys reading and swimming.
Ph.D. Chinese Academy of Sciences
B.S. Northwest A & F University
Graduate Student
Orville Kirkland (Chemistry and Chemical Biology (CCB), Harvard University)
Orville is originally from Portland, Jamaica, where he attended the St. Mary High School, graduating with an A.S. in Natural Sciences. He then pursued undergraduate studies at Williams College in northwestern Massachusetts, and graduated with a B.A. degree in Chemistry (Highest Honors) and Biology. As part of his Chemistry Honors thesis in the biophysical chemistry lab of Professor Bob Rawle, he utilized Sendai virus as a model system to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the binding of Paramyxoviruses to host membranes. During his post-baccalaureate years, he worked as a research associate in the lab of Dr. Hojun Li, M.D., PhD., at the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT. There, he employed a CRISPR-Cas9 approach towards elucidating the genetic basis mediating the increased proliferative capacity of erythroid progenitor cells upon glucocorticoid treatment, as well as engineered antibody-conjugated nanoparticles for the targeted delivery of glucocorticoids to erythroid progenitor cells. Orville joined the Qi Lab in February 2024 His doctoral thesis will focus on developing and characterizing the biological effects of novel small molecule inhibitors and degraders for epigenetic targets frequently upregulated in cancer. Outside the lab, he enjoys watching television, cooking and exploring New England.
B.S. Williams College
Orville is originally from Portland, Jamaica, where he attended the St. Mary High School, graduating with an A.S. in Natural Sciences. He then pursued undergraduate studies at Williams College in northwestern Massachusetts, and graduated with a B.A. degree in Chemistry (Highest Honors) and Biology. As part of his Chemistry Honors thesis in the biophysical chemistry lab of Professor Bob Rawle, he utilized Sendai virus as a model system to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the binding of Paramyxoviruses to host membranes. During his post-baccalaureate years, he worked as a research associate in the lab of Dr. Hojun Li, M.D., PhD., at the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT. There, he employed a CRISPR-Cas9 approach towards elucidating the genetic basis mediating the increased proliferative capacity of erythroid progenitor cells upon glucocorticoid treatment, as well as engineered antibody-conjugated nanoparticles for the targeted delivery of glucocorticoids to erythroid progenitor cells. Orville joined the Qi Lab in February 2024 His doctoral thesis will focus on developing and characterizing the biological effects of novel small molecule inhibitors and degraders for epigenetic targets frequently upregulated in cancer. Outside the lab, he enjoys watching television, cooking and exploring New England.
B.S. Williams College
Research Technician
Caleb O'Donnell Heaslip
Caleb is from Bridgewater, MA, and received his B.S. in Chemistry from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. During his undergraduate studies, Caleb developed an interest in cancer biology and spent a summer working in the Wahl lab at the University of Michigan, where he helped show that therapeutic targeting of purine metabolism in combination with radiation therapy is a promising strategy for improving outcomes in the H3K27M subtype of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Caleb spent two years working in the laboratory of Brian Crompton in the Department of Pediatric Oncology, where he worked to identify novel combinations of drugs that have synergistic activity against Ewing sarcoma. Throughout college, Caleb developed a passion for interdisciplinary science and is motivated at the opportunity to combine discovery chemistry and innovative chemical biology methods in the search for new therapeutic modalities for treating cancer. Caleb joined the Qi lab in May 2024 to further explore his passion for discovering novel chemical and biological approaches for treating and understanding cancer. In his spare time, Caleb enjoys listening to podcasts, playing the guitar and piano, and all things Disney.
B.S. MCPH
Caleb is from Bridgewater, MA, and received his B.S. in Chemistry from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. During his undergraduate studies, Caleb developed an interest in cancer biology and spent a summer working in the Wahl lab at the University of Michigan, where he helped show that therapeutic targeting of purine metabolism in combination with radiation therapy is a promising strategy for improving outcomes in the H3K27M subtype of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Caleb spent two years working in the laboratory of Brian Crompton in the Department of Pediatric Oncology, where he worked to identify novel combinations of drugs that have synergistic activity against Ewing sarcoma. Throughout college, Caleb developed a passion for interdisciplinary science and is motivated at the opportunity to combine discovery chemistry and innovative chemical biology methods in the search for new therapeutic modalities for treating cancer. Caleb joined the Qi lab in May 2024 to further explore his passion for discovering novel chemical and biological approaches for treating and understanding cancer. In his spare time, Caleb enjoys listening to podcasts, playing the guitar and piano, and all things Disney.
B.S. MCPH
Undergraduate Researcher
Mr. Sunwoo Lee
Sunwoo is pursuing his Bachelor degree at MIT majored in Chemical Engineering & Chemistry and Biology.
Sunwoo is focusing on study function of epigenetic proteins in pediatric cancers.
Sunwoo is pursuing his Bachelor degree at MIT majored in Chemical Engineering & Chemistry and Biology.
Sunwoo is focusing on study function of epigenetic proteins in pediatric cancers.
Attached Researcher
Alumni
Dingding Gao (04/2023-03/2024, Visiting Scientist)
PI at Shanghai University of TCM
Michelle Wang (08/2021-06/2023, Lead Technician)
Graduate Student in PhD Program at U Penn.
Tingjian Wang (08/2019-11/2022, Postdoc Fellow)
Physician Scientist at Xiangya Hospital, Hunan, China
Priscilla Liow (07/2020-07/2022, Research Technician)
Graduate student in PhD program at Harvard University, Chemistry and Chemical Biology)
Yu Liang (07/2020-06/2022, Research Technician)
Graduate student in PhD program at UC St Barbara.
Logan Sigua, (05/2019-05/2022, Sr. Research Technician)
Graduate student in MD/PhD program at UC San Diego.
Lingling Dai, PhD. (11/2017-08/2021, Postdoctoral Fellow)
Senior Scientist at AstraZeneca
Sang Vo, (09/2020-03/2021, Post-Bacc. Fellow U Mass Boston)
University of Minnesota, MD/PhD program
Adam Durbin, M.D., Ph.D. (08/2018-08/2020, Instructor, co-mentored with Drs. Tom Look and Kim Stegmaier)
Assistant Professor, St. Jude.
Deyao Li, Ph.D. (10/2018-06/2020, Postdoc Fellow)
Postdoc Fellow, MSKCC.
Virangika K. Wimalasena (06/2018-05/2020, Research Technician)
Graduate student at Johns Hopkins
Paul MC Park (10/2016-07/2019, Research Technician)
Graduate Student at Harvard Medical School
Lei Wu, Ph.D. (08/2016 - 12/2018, Postdoc Fellow)
Senior Scientist at QL Regor
Mousheng Xu, Ph.D. (05/2016 - 11/2017, Bioinformatic Analyst II)
Senior Statistical Geneticist at Booz Allen Hamilton
Jennifer Perry, Ph.D. (01/2016 - 07/2017, Senior Scientist)
Associate Director for the Center of Pediatric Cancer Therapeutics at DFCI
Matthew Lawlor (01/2016 - 09/2017, Bioinformatic Analyst I)
Research Technician at MGH
Nana Kwaku Offei-Addo (08/2016 - 11/2017, Research Technician)
Research Associate at Generation Bio
Michael Xiang (2016, 2017, Summer Intern)
Undergraduate student at Johns Hopkins
Morgan Schwartz (2018, Summer Intern)
Undergraduate student at The University of Vermont
Paula Zoutine (2018, Intern)
Undergraduate student at Boston University
Dingding Gao (04/2023-03/2024, Visiting Scientist)
PI at Shanghai University of TCM
Michelle Wang (08/2021-06/2023, Lead Technician)
Graduate Student in PhD Program at U Penn.
Tingjian Wang (08/2019-11/2022, Postdoc Fellow)
Physician Scientist at Xiangya Hospital, Hunan, China
Priscilla Liow (07/2020-07/2022, Research Technician)
Graduate student in PhD program at Harvard University, Chemistry and Chemical Biology)
Yu Liang (07/2020-06/2022, Research Technician)
Graduate student in PhD program at UC St Barbara.
Logan Sigua, (05/2019-05/2022, Sr. Research Technician)
Graduate student in MD/PhD program at UC San Diego.
Lingling Dai, PhD. (11/2017-08/2021, Postdoctoral Fellow)
Senior Scientist at AstraZeneca
Sang Vo, (09/2020-03/2021, Post-Bacc. Fellow U Mass Boston)
University of Minnesota, MD/PhD program
Adam Durbin, M.D., Ph.D. (08/2018-08/2020, Instructor, co-mentored with Drs. Tom Look and Kim Stegmaier)
Assistant Professor, St. Jude.
Deyao Li, Ph.D. (10/2018-06/2020, Postdoc Fellow)
Postdoc Fellow, MSKCC.
Virangika K. Wimalasena (06/2018-05/2020, Research Technician)
Graduate student at Johns Hopkins
Paul MC Park (10/2016-07/2019, Research Technician)
Graduate Student at Harvard Medical School
Lei Wu, Ph.D. (08/2016 - 12/2018, Postdoc Fellow)
Senior Scientist at QL Regor
Mousheng Xu, Ph.D. (05/2016 - 11/2017, Bioinformatic Analyst II)
Senior Statistical Geneticist at Booz Allen Hamilton
Jennifer Perry, Ph.D. (01/2016 - 07/2017, Senior Scientist)
Associate Director for the Center of Pediatric Cancer Therapeutics at DFCI
Matthew Lawlor (01/2016 - 09/2017, Bioinformatic Analyst I)
Research Technician at MGH
Nana Kwaku Offei-Addo (08/2016 - 11/2017, Research Technician)
Research Associate at Generation Bio
Michael Xiang (2016, 2017, Summer Intern)
Undergraduate student at Johns Hopkins
Morgan Schwartz (2018, Summer Intern)
Undergraduate student at The University of Vermont
Paula Zoutine (2018, Intern)
Undergraduate student at Boston University