Fangcheng Yuan, ScM, G4
Research Mentor: Wei Zheng, M.D., Ph.D.
Thesis Topic: Cancer Epidemiology
Biography
Originally from Nanjing, China, I completed my bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and biology at the University of Virginia and master’s degree in cancer epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. After graduation from my master’s program, I pursued a one-year research internship under the mentorship of Dr. Rachael Stolzenberg-Solomon at the National Cancer Institute to examine the association between genetic susceptibility to chronic intestinal inflammation and pancreatic cancer risk. Before admission into the Ph.D. program, I worked as a research assistant in a population health research team led by Dr. Li Li at the University of Virginia to study racial disparities in the associations of lifestyle risk factors (e.g., diet, cigarette smoking) with colorectal adenoma. Here at Vanderbilt, under the supervision of Dr. Wei Zheng, I am working on a project to identify unique and shared metabolic biomarkers associated with the risk of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. My current research interest focuses on exploring how to use precision medicine to inform tomorrow’s primary and secondary cancer prevention strategies.
Why Vanderbilt?
I chose Vanderbilt because of its strong emphasis on quantitative methods in the training curriculum, top-notch research resources in cancer epidemiology, and overwhelming support from both within and outside of the research team. I believe the PhD program at Vanderbilt will help me accomplish my career goal