RNA Faculty Spotlight — Jiaqi Shi, Pathology

Jiaqi Shi, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Pathology, Surgical Pathology
Department of Pathology

Our lab is interested in studying how epigenetic alterations in pancreatic cancer affect transcription and how this effect contributes to pancreatic cancer development.
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  •  What are your research interests? Our lab is interested in studying how epigenetic alterations in pancreatic cancer affect RNA transcription and how this effect contributes to pancreatic cancer development.
  • Who/what brought you to science? I am always amazed by science and new scientific discoveries since I was a high school student. After medical school, I decided to pursue a PhD degree in Medical Genetics which led me to the physician scientist path today.
  • What advice would you give to students who’d like to get more involved in research? Do not be intimidated by social, political, or economic environment. The most important thing is to pursue your passion and dream in a persistent way.
  • Are there any opportunities for students to engage in your projects, currently or in the future? The answer is Yes, we always welcome talented students to join us in our pursuing of new scientific discoveries and helping mankind to fight diseases.
  • What skills would they need, and what could they expect to learn? First and foremost, they will need a strong passion for science. We are a cancer biology lab, so skills in cell biology or molecular biology are helpful. Most importantly, they will learn how to do research and not just learn laboratory skills. I think this is the most important skill to learn for future generations of researchers. In the meantime, they will learn a large variety of cancer biology skills using cell lines, animals, and human tissues as model systems. They will also learn bioinformatics skills.
  • What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Besides a researcher, I am also a board certified Gastrointestinal, pancreas, and hepatobiliary Pathologist. My research interest on pancreatic cancer is closely related to my clinical interest in pancreas pathology.