Xin Cai, M.D., Ph.D., Principal Investigator
Education and Training
- AB/AM: Harvard University (advisor: Jack W. Szostak, Ph.D.)
- MD/PhD: UT Southwestern Medical Center (advisor: Zhijian James Chen, Ph.D.)
- Postdoc: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (advisor: Craig B. Thompson, M.D.)
- Internship: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Residency: Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Dr. Cai is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology. He received his BA in Chemistry and Physics and MA in Chemistry from Harvard, followed by his MD/PhD from UT Southwestern, where he studied mechanisms of innate immune and inflammasome signaling. Dr. Cai completed his Radiation Oncology residency at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he also completed a postdoc studying cancer metabolism. Dr. Cai returned to UTSW as faculty in 2023. In addition to studying metabolic signaling in the lab, he also treats patients with brain and spine tumors.
Gurveer Kaur, Research Technician
Gurveer earned her B.S. in environmental engineering with a minor in math from Southern Methodist University in 2019. After working in civil engineering consulting for 3.5 years, she decided to pursue a career change in a more healthcare-focused field. Outside of working and studying, she enjoys going to yoga classes, reading, going to concerts (she’s a big Taylor Swift and Harry Styles fan), and spending time with her friends and family.
Yuan Tian, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Tian received her Ph.D. degree in microbiology from China Agricultural University, where she studied the mechanisms of heterochromatin formation in Neurospora crassa with Dr. Qun He. Her work characterized casein kinase II as an important regulator for histone H3K9 and DNA methylation. Dr. Tian joined the Cai lab in 2024, where she is studying how metabolites function in epigenetic and transcriptional regulation. In her spare time she enjoys reading mystery novels and watching suspenseful movies.
Xiaoquan Wang, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Wang received his Ph.D. degree from Prof. Junmin Quan's lab at Peking University in June 2024. Dr. Wang has dedicated his doctoral training to developing novel inhibitors of the cGAS-STING pathway, which plays a crucial role in inflammatory diseases and cancer. Throughout his research, Dr. Wang has focused on understanding the precise pathogenesis of the cGAS-STING pathway in human diseases and exploring therapeutic interventions. He is committed to uncovering potential molecular events driving disease progression and identifying therapeutic targets and has a profound passion for unraveling the intricate mechanisms behind metabolic abnormalities in diseases. Outside of work and study, Dr. Wang enjoys playing badminton, running, and swimming.
Kha Vu, undergraduate student
Kha is a neuroscience student at Texas Christian University. Originally from Saigon, Vietnam, he has embarked on a journey across various American states, from NYC and NJ to Texas. He is pursuing a pre-medicine track with the aspiration of becoming a physician, aiming to bring much-needed healthcare to underserved communities in third-world countries where access to medical care is limited. At TCU, he serves as the president of The Art and Science of Medicine club, where members come together to explore the intersection of mindfulness, narrative medicine, and the science of meditation. Outside of studying, Kha indulges in various hobbies. He has a profound love for books and enjoys exploring museums and nature. He finds great joy in hiking, connecting with the outdoors, and embracing the serenity it provides.
Student Intern
Yousef Ashour is currently a high school senior at Middlesex School in Concord, Massachusetts. He lives in Dallas, Texas, and boards at Middlesex.
He enjoys topics such as hematology and oncology and aspires to attend college with a social science degree on a pre-med track. Outside of school and study, he likes to run, visit art museums, visit botanical gardens, and listen to music! His favorite artists are Brent Faiyaz and Pharrell Williams.