Developing and applying synthetic biology tools to address society's most daunting challenges in human health and energy, and investigating the fundamental aspects of enzyme catalysis, cell metabolism, and gene regulation. Read More
Huimin Zhao
Steven L. Miller Chair Professor
B.S., University of Science and Technology of China, 1992
Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, 1998
Dr. Huimin Zhao is the Steven L. Miller Chair of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and professor of chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, and bioengineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He received his B.S. degree in Biology from the University of Science and Technology of China in 1992 and his Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology in 1998 under the guidance of Dr. Frances Arnold. Prior to joining UIUC in 2000, he was a project leader at the Industrial Biotechnology Laboratory of the Dow Chemical Company. He was promoted to full professor in 2008. Dr. Zhao has authored and co-authored over 260 research articles and over 20 issued and pending patent applications with several being licensed by industry. In addition, he has given plenary, keynote or invited lectures in over 300 international meetings, universities, industries, and research institutes. Fifteen (15) of his former graduate students and postdocs became professors in the United States (7), China (5), Korea (2), and Egypt (1).
Read short bio and full CV
Graduate Students
Jonathan Ning
B.S., University of California Berkeley, 2011
My research encompasses the development of an inducible promoter for eukaryotic systems and discovery of new natural products from the fungal species Asperigillus clavatus. In exploring these areas I utilize the robust genetic and metabolic capabilities of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae host system.
Ran Chao
B.A.Sc., University of British Columbia, Canada, 2011
My research mainly focus on developing a fully automated and highly
flexible foundry for biomanufacturing.
Xiong Xiong
B.S., University of Wisconsin Madison, 2012
I would like to take what life comes to me. I like that. That I can live by.
Ipek Tasan
B.S., Bilkent University, Turkey, 2012
I am continuing the story of fairyTALEN. My work includes high-throughput applications of fairyTALE, a recently introduced TALEN synthesis platform, such as creating knockout libraries or introducing genomic deletions in a high-throughput manner. I really enjoy working in an area that challenges my creativity every day.
Hengqian Ren
B.S. Tianjin University, 2013
Waiting for the good results...
Yajie Wang
B.S., Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 2012
We are who we are.
Surbhi Jain
Bachelors of Technology (B.Tech)
Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee,India
2010-2014
1. Developing a novel tool for artificial chromatin looping using programmable nucleases
2. Augmenting stem cell therapy with genome engineering
Behnam Enghiad
B.S. Sharif University of Technology, Iran
I am interested in discovery of novel natural products. Part of my project is developing genome engineering tools for Actinomycetes. The other part of my project is activation of natural products cryptic pathways in Actinomycetes by native host engineering. You can email me at enghiad2@illinois.edu.
Shekhar Mishra
B.Tech in Chemical Engineering, IIT Bombay 2014
M.Tech in Chemical Engineering, IIT Bombay 2014
I am interested in exploring the design principles of biological systems for the purpose of improved metabolic engineering strategies using a combination of mathematical models and experimental techniques.
Pu Xue Mason
B.S. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA, 2016
My research is focus on Orthogonal genetic regulation in Mammalian cells using chemically induced CRISPR/Cas9 as the activator. Also, I am doing Genome-scale engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with precision and Dual gene reporters for CREST-Seq targets in mESCs.
Meng Zhang
B.E., Tsinghua University, China, 2016.
I joined Zhao group as a PhD student in 2016. My research interests lie in the field of genome engineering, especially its potential to treat human diseases. Currently, I am working on developing CRISPRatt, a synthetic biology tool to achieve site-specific integration of large DNA molecules in mammalian cells. Outside the lab, I enjoy writing short stories and watching movies; The Lobster was my favorite in 2017. I can be reached at mzhan100@illinois.edu.
Qiqi Tian
B.S. China Pharmaceutical University
I joined Zhao group as a PhD student from the Department of Biochemistry in the spring of 2017. My research is focused on establishing a scalable platform for natural product discovery. Particularly, I am interested in the discovery of ribosomal synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), a major class of natural products. I can be reached at qiqit2@illinois.edu.
Carl Schultz
B.S., Cornell University, 2015
jcschul2@illinois.edu
I am developing genetic tools for the genome-scale metabolic engineering of yeasts for biofuel and biochemical production.
Kasra Tabatabaei
B.S., University of Tehran, Iran, 2017
Trying to store some information on some DNA. You can reach me at skt4@illinois.edu
Che Yang
B.S., Michigan State University, 2017
I have great interests in unraveling secrets in mammalian cells with genome engineering techniques.
Vinh Tran
B.S., University of California at Berkeley, 2016
Lam Vo
B.S., Union College, 2017
Enjoy the Present!
Postdoctoral Fellows
Tong Si
B.S., Tsinghua University, China, 2009 Ph.D., University of Illinos, USA, 2014
I am an IGB fellow in the Biosystems Design theme, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, co-supervised by Profs. Huimin Zhao, Jonathan Sweedler and Wilfred van der Donk. With applications in biotechnology and medicine, my research aims to expand directed evolution from the scales of gene and pathway to genome and microbiome, via interdisciplinary approaches integrating synthetic biology, robotic automation and advanced analytical chemistry. I enjoy reading, karaoke, going to the gym and traveling in my spare time. I can be reached at tongsi1@uiuc.edu.
Bin Wang
PhD, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, 2016
Live a plain life, and hold a distant dream
Yi Yu
B.S., Wuhan University, China, 2009
Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA, 2015
I am now working on mammalian cell genome engineering and yeast surface display of minicellulosome.
Fang Guo
PhD, Institute of Microbiogy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, 2016
Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.
Undergraduates
Yuying Wu
Chemical Engineering, 2017
Time to tip the scales
Sherri Ho
Molecular and Cellular Biology, 2018
I'm on the premed track majoring in MCB and pursuing a minor in chemistry. I work with Hengqian and enjoy being in the lab.
Scott Weisberg
Biochemistry, 2019
I’m a research assistant to Sam and I’m very excited to be a part of this lab!
Shireen Abesteh
Molecular and Cell Biology, 2019
I am a research assistant to Surbhi Jain and love being in the lab and I enjoy learning new things!
Hugh Yeh
Molecular and Cellular Biology, Engineering Physics, 2019
In the lab, I am a research assistant to Yi Yu. Outside the lab, I enjoy running and building medical devices.
Yiziying Chen
Biochemistry and Statistics, 2018
This is Yiziying Chen, a senior student (class of 2018) dual degree in Biochemistry and Statistics. I am currently working with Shekhar Mishra with his research on yeast S. Cervisiae Lipidomics modeling alpha-sync protein oxidative stress related to Parkinson's Disease. I will start my graduate study at Yale University School of Public Health in Biostatistics Fall 2018. I want to become a professional biostatistician and help and collaborate with researchers in the clinical centers to better understand the underlying features behinds biomedical dataset in the future.
Christina Su
Molecular and Cellular Biology, 2020
I am a research assistant to Ipek and I love being in the lab! Outside of lab my hobbies include doing crafts, cooking, and biking. I enjoy traveling to new places and meeting new people.
Linzixuan Zhang
Chemical Engineering, 2020
Leading a life full of possibilities while chasing a distant but clear future. .
Alumni
Former Graduate Students
Dr. Ryan Woodyer, Ph.D., August, 2005, “Understanding, Optimization, and Application of Phosphite Dehydrogenase: Advancing NAD(P)H Regeneration.” Now research scientist at Tate & Lyle, Decatur, IL.
Dr. Karu Chockalingam, Ph.D., May, 2006, “Engineering Estrogen Receptor-based Gene Switches and a Superoxide Dismutase for Therapeutic Applications.” Now process development engineer at Kalon Biotherapeutics, College Station, TX.
Dr. Zhilei Chen, Ph.D., May, 2006, “Protein Engineering via in vitro Coevolution.” Now assistant professor of chemical engineering at the Texas A & M University, College Station, TX.
Mike Simurdiak, 2002-2005. Currently at University of Minnesota
Ben Lawrence, 2004-2005. Currently at Oklahoma State University
Meng Chen, 2005-2006. Currently at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Dr. Ee-Lui Ang, Ph.D., May, 2007, “Engineering of Aniline Dioxygenase for Bioremediation and Industrial Applications.” Now principle investigator at the Institute for Chemical Engineering and Science (ICES), Singapore.
Dr. Wenjuan Zha, Ph.D., September, 2007, “Protein and Metabolic Engineering for Biosynthesis of Aromatic Compounds.” Now research scientist at Codexis @ Singapore, Singapore.
Tom Hayes, 2006-2007. Currently at UIUC (Hartwig Group-Inorganic Chemistry)
Victor Gonzalez, 2005-2008. Bearing Point Technology and Management Consulting, Chicago, IL
Dr. Tyler Johannes, Ph.D., April, 2008, “Directed Evolution of Phosphite Dehydrogenase and Engineered Biosynthesis of FR-900098.” Now assistant professor of chemical engineering department at the University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK.
Dr. Zengyi Shao, Ph.D., February 2009, “Enabling Natural Product Biosynthesis with Novel Synthetic Biology Tools.” Now assistant professor at Iowa State University
Dr. Ryan Sullivan, Ph.D., November 2009, “Engineering a Fungal L-Arabinose Pathway Towards the Co-utilization of Hemicellulosic Sugars for Production of Xylitol.” Now research scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO.
Dr. Sheryl Rubin, Ph.D., November 2009, “Type III Polyketide Synthases: Discovery, Characterization, and Engineering.” Now research scientist at ExxonMobil, NJ.
Dr. Fei Wen, Ph.D., April 2010, “Cell Surface Display in Biomedical Applications and Biofuels Production.” Now postdoc at Stanford University. She will start an independent academic career at the chemical engineering department at the University of Michigan in 2012.
Dr. Nikhil Nair, Ph.D., April 2010, “Synergy of Protein and Genome Engineering for Fuels and Chemicals Production.” Now postdoc at Harvard University.
Dr. Michael Mclachlan, Ph.D., August 2010, “Transcription Factor Engineering: Tools and Applications.” Now research scientist at the Cellular Dynamics International, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin.
Dr. Weng Lin Tang, Ph.D., August 2010, “Engineering of an Efficient and Enantioselective Biocatalyst for the Preparation of Chiral Pharmaceutical Intermediates.” Now a research scientist at Codexis @ Singapore, Singapore.
Dr. Matt DeSieno, Ph.D., August 2011, “Microbial Synthesis of Antimalarial Compound FR-900098: Pathway Characterization and Engineering.”
Dr. Jing Du, Ph.D., August 2011, “Metabolic Engineering of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae for Efficient Ethanol Production from Pentose Sugars.” Now research engineer at Novozymes.
Emmanuel Chanco, 2008-2012.
Guodong Rao, 2010-2012. Currently at UIUC (Eric Oldfield Group-Chemistry)
Dr. Ning Sun, Ph.D., May 2013, “Engineering of transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) for targeted genome editing.” Now at AbbVie.
Dr. Dawn Eriksen, Ph.D., May 2014, “Combinatorial biosynthetic pathway engineering for microbial production of biofuels.” Now at GreenLight Biosciences.
Dr. Jing Liang, Ph.D., May 2014, “Cellular reprogramming in eukaryotes.” Now at A*STAR (Singapore).
Dr. Carl Denard, Ph.D., May 2014, “Engineering novel tandem reactions using organometallic catalysts and (metallo)enzymes.” Now at UT-Austin.
Dr. Zehua Bao, Ph.D., March, 2017, “Multiplex genome editing and gene regulation in eukaryotic cells.” Now a postdoctoral research associate at Boston University (Ahmad Khalil group).
Dr. Sam Hamedi Rad, Ph.D., November, 2017, “Rapid Prototyping of Microbial Cell Factories through Automated Pathway Engineering.” Now Chief Operating Officer at LifeFoundry, Champaign, IL.
Former Postdocs and Visiting Scholars
Dr. Whankoo Kang, 2001, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Hannam University, Korea
Dr. Tongbo Zhu, 2002-2003, unknown
Dr. Olga Esteban, 2002-2004, unknown
Dr. Jung-kul Lee, 2004-2006, now professor of chemical engineering at the Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea
Dr. Ryan Woodyer, 2005-2006, now research scientist at Tate & Lyle, Decatur, IL
Dr. Hua Zhao, 2006-2007, now research scientist at the Institute of Chemical Engineering and Science (ICES), Singapore
Dr. Yoo Seong Choi, 2006-2008, now assistant professor of chemical engineering at the Chungnam University, South Korea
Dr. Haige Lu, 10/2007-10/2008, now a postdoc researcher at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York
Dr. Yuichi Nakagawa, 1/2008-10/2008, unknown
Dr. Michael Vu, 5/2008-5/2009, now a postdoc researcher at Rice University, Houston, TX
Dr. Tae Hee Lee, 6/2008-6/2010, now research scientist at the CJ Bio R&D Center, South Korea
Dr. Won-seok Jung, 3/2009-7/2010, now research scientist at the Samsung Biotech, South Korea
Dr. Amit Ghosh, 1/2009-5/2011 (joint supervised with Nathan Price), now research scientist at the Joint Bioenergy Institute, Emerville, CA
Dr. Byoungjin Kim, 1/2009-12/2011, now postdoc at KAIST, Korea.
Dr. Levi Stanley, 1/2011-12/2011 (jointly supervised with John Hartwig), now assistant professor of chemistry at the Iowa State University
Dr. Yunfeng Hu, 1/2011-1/2012, now postdoc at Polytechnic University of New York
Dr. Yu Jiang, 8/2011-2/2012, now associate director of the Center for Industrial Biotechnology in Shanghai
Dr. Yongbo Yuan, 11/2010-3/2012, now postdoc at the University of Delaware
Dr. Chun Li, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, 2011-2012.
Dr. Dan Coursolle, now research engineer at Cargill
Dr. Refaat Hamed, 2013-2014, now assistant professor at Assiut University, Egypt
Dr. Xueyang Feng, 2012-2014, now assistant professor at Virginia Tech
Dr. Hua Huang, 2012-2014, now a postdoc at UIUC (John Gerlt Group-Biochemistry)
Dr. Jiazhang Lian, 2015-2017, now a Principla Invesitgator, Center for Synthetic biology, Zhejiang University
Former Visiting Students
Kazi Islam, 2006. Georg-August-University Goettingen (Germany)
Jie Sun, 2008-2010. East China University of Science and Technology (China)
Guiomar Sanchez Carron, 2010. University of Murcia (Spain)
Jinglin Li, 2010-2011. Konkuk University (South Korea)
Sai Wen, 2010-2011. Beijing University of Chemical Technology (China)
Mirko Beissner, 2012. Technical University of Munich (Germany)
Sujit Jagtap, 2012-2014. Konkuk University (South Korea)
Lu Zhang, 2012-2014. Tianjin University (China)
Former Undergraduate Students
Samir Shah, 2001
Anna Kornafel, 2001-2002, now at General Mills, MN
Peter Meis, 2001-2002, now at Merck, Rahway, NJ
Edgar Goluch, 2001-2003, now assistant professor of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University
Yen Sia Low, 2002-2003
Andrew Miller, 2002-2003
Junaid Begawala, 2004
Kathleen Sese, 2004
Kyle Kloepper, 2004
Thuytram Dang, 2004, now at MIT
Chae Young Han, 2005
Ka-chun Lai, 2004-2006
Frank Qin, 2005-2006
Mark Laurenz, 2005-2006, now at Abbort
Trang Vu, 2005-2007, now at Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Saroj Baha, 2006-2007
Anu Biswas, 2006-2008, now at the Department of Chemical Engineering, UCLA
