KEAP1–NRF2 signaling
We study how oncogenic NRF2 activation reshapes antioxidant programs, metabolism, and treatment response in non-small cell lung cancer.
- Redox dependencies
- Therapy resistance
- Lung cancer models
MOFFITT CANCER CENTER / MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
JIANG
LABORATORY
Decoding redox vulnerabilities in lung cancer through metabolism, mitochondrial biology, and nutrient sensing.
- 2023
- Lab established
- 03
- Research programs
- Tampa
- Florida, USA
OUR QUESTION
How do lung cancer cells rewire redox biology to survive—and where does that adaptation create a therapeutic opening?
Our laboratory works at the intersection of lung cancer, redox biology, metabolism, and signaling. We combine molecular genetics with genomic, metabolomic, proteomic, and in vivo approaches to uncover mechanisms of tumor progression and treatment resistance.
RESEARCH
Three connected programs
From mechanism to vulnerability, our work links fundamental redox regulation in lung cancer to new therapeutic strategies.
Mitochondrial redox control
We define how mitochondrial antioxidant systems communicate with stress-signaling networks and reveal liabilities created by that crosstalk.
- Mitochondrial metabolism
- Oxidative stress
- Organelle signaling
Selenium metabolism
We investigate how selenium availability, accumulation, and selenoprotein synthesis influence cancer cell fitness and ferroptosis defense.
- Selenoproteins
- GPX4 biology
- Nutrient stress
PEOPLE
Meet the team
Scientists with complementary expertise working together across molecular biology, metabolism, and cancer models.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Chang Jiang, PhD
Assistant Member, Department of Molecular Oncology, Department of BioEngineering · Metabolism Program
chang.jiang at moffitt.orgChang earned her PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Pittsburgh, focusing on the dysregulation of cytoskeleton proteins profilin1 and profilin2 in breast cancer within the laboratory of Partha Roy. She did her initial postdoctoral research under Benjamin Gewurz at Harvard Medical School, where she discovered novel CD40 signaling regulators in human B cells. Additionally, she unveiled host factors that restrict the Epstein-Barr Virus's transition from latency to lytic reactivation in human B cells.
Her second postdoctoral tenure, with Gina DeNicola, centered on identifying key upstream regulators and downstream effectors of NRF2 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In September 2023, she founded her own lab at Moffitt Cancer Center.
Yun Huang, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Yun obtained his PhD in Oncology from Dr. Mengfeng Li's laboratory at Southern Medical University in China. During his doctoral studies, he conducted research under the mentorship of Associate Dr. Jie Yuan at Sun Yat-sen University, where he investigated the anti-cancer properties of natural products and elucidated their underlying molecular mechanisms. His research interests primarily lie in exploring cancer metabolic pathways and identifying novel targets within the mitochondrial antioxidant system.
Yun aims to understand the roles of these targets in cancer progression and drug resistance.
Ryan Martin
Research Associate II
Ryan completed his undergraduate studies at the University of South Florida, earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology. He continued his efforts at the USF College of Pharmacy and obtained a Master’s of Science in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology with a focus on Drug Design, Development, and Delivery.
During his Master’s coursework, he completed a thesis project investigating the potential of the Hsp90/Cdc37 chaperone complex as a druggable target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, he is engaging in research at Moffitt Cancer Center to broaden his perspectives and experiences in the field of molecular biology research.
Jing-Chun Lin
Research Associate II
Jing-Chun holds a Master’s degree from the Institute of Molecular Medicine at National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan, where she focused on understanding drug resistance mechanisms in colorectal cancer under hypoxic conditions and explored mitochondrial metabolic pathways. For her undergraduate studies, she attended Chung Shan Medical University, majoring in Biomedical Sciences.
During this time, she collaborated with a biotech company on research into the therapeutic effects of probiotics on nasopharyngeal cancer, successfully securing a patent in the process.
Ting Chao
Research Associate II
Ting Chao graduated with honors from the University of South Florida, earning triple majors in Biology, Chemistry, and Health Informatics. She has a strong passion for biochemistry and is eager to thrive in interdisciplinary research.
TRAINEES
Student researchers
Rithwik Paladugu
Undergraduate Trainee
Rithwik is an undergraduate student currently enrolled at the University of South Florida majoring in Biomedical sciences. He is interested in ongoing research in cancer and redox biology, and plans to pursue a career as a physician-scientist.
Archi Patel
Undergraduate Trainee
Archi is an undergraduate student at the University of South Florida majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Nutrition. She is interested in genetics and its role in cancer biology. After graduating college, Archi plans to pursue a career as a physician.
Shayla Pham
Undergraduate Trainee
Shayla is an undergraduate student at the University of South Florida majoring in Biomedical Sciences, with minors in Art Studio and Deaf Studies. Aspiring to become a pathologist, she is fascinated by emerging cancer treatments and hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the involvement of cancer metabolism in tumor progression.
Alyssa Chen
Student research volunteer through MARCH program
Alyssa is a high schooler at Carrollwood Day School, intending to major in Biochemistry in college. She is interested in pharmacotranscriptomics and advancing cancer treatments, hoping to pursue a career as a physician.
Dhruv Tummala
Student research volunteer through MARCH program
Dhruv is a high schooler from Berkeley Preparatory School. He intends to major in Biomedical Sciences in college and is currently interested in the mechanisms of cancer progression and redox biology. Following college, he aspires to pursue a career as a physician.
LAB ALUMNI
Former lab members
Viky Mansour
Undergraduate Intern
Pravarakhya Pottigari
Undergraduate Intern
Steven Tsang
Undergraduate Intern
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Recent and foundational work
Reduction in Hepatic Phosphatidylcholine Biosynthesis Promotes MASH Through Copper Deficiency
Welles JE, Garifallou JP, Gonzalez MV, et al., including Jiang C.
↗A CRISPR screen identifies redox vulnerabilities for KEAP1/NRF2 mutant non-small cell lung cancer
Jiang C, Ward NP, Prieto-Farigua N, Kang YP, Thalakola A, Teng M, DeNicola GM.
↗Non-canonical glutamate-cysteine ligase activity protects against ferroptosis
Kang YP, Mockabee-Macias M, Jiang C, Harris IS, DeNicola GM.
↗MYC controls the Epstein-Barr Virus lytic switch
Guo R, Jiang C, Zhang Y, et al.
↗CRISPR/Cas9 Screens Reveal Multiple Layers of B Cell CD40 Regulation
Jiang C, Trudeau SJ, Cheong TC, Guo R, Teng M, Wang LW, Wang Z, Pighi C, Gautier-Courteille C, Ma Y, Jiang S, Wang C, Zhao B, Paillard L, Doench JG, Chiarle R, Gewurz BE.
↗NEWS
Lab News
Xuan Do has joined the Jiang Lab for her first rotation. Welcome, Xuan!
Ting won first place in the Junior Trainee category at the Molecular Oncology Research in Progress (RIP) seminar! Congratulations, Ting!
Ting and Chang attended the Mechanisms & Models of Cancer 2026 conference.
The Jiang Lab attended Moffitt Scientific Symposium and presented Ting and Yun’s work!
Yun and Chang attended AACR and presented Yun’s project in San Diego!
The Jiang Lab attended the AACR Annual Meeting and met with Dr. Partha Roy, Dr. Yongho Bae, and members of their research groups.
Ryan, Yun and Chang attended ASBMB and presented their research in Chicago!
The Jiang Lab attended the Triangle Metabolism Conference!
Jing-Chun Lin joins the lab. Welcome, Jing-Chun!
Yun Huang joins the lab. Welcome, Yun!
Ryan Martin joins the lab. Welcome, Ryan!
Ting Chao joins the lab. Welcome, Ting!
The Jiang Lab opens！
JOIN THE LAB
Build the next chapter of lung cancer redox biology with us.
We welcome curious, collaborative scientists interested in lung cancer metabolism, mitochondrial biology, and therapeutic discovery.
Postdoctoral fellows
Send a single PDF containing a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references.
Graduate students
Prospective graduate students are encouraged to get in touch to discuss research opportunities.