Research

Dr. Xiao-Jing Wang, M.D., Ph.D., was recruited to UCDavis in May 2022 as Robert E. Stowell Endowed Chair in Experimental Pathology. She also serves as Chief Science Officer and Associate Director for Basic Science of UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. Prior to taking this position, she was a John S. Gates Endowed Chair of Cancer Stem Cell Biology and the founding Director of head & neck cancer research program at UC Denver, Professor in Department of Pathology, and has joint appointments in the departments of Dermatology, Otolaryngology, and Craniofacial Biology from 2008-2022. 

Dr. Wang’s laboratory has developed many genetically engineered mouse models of skin and head&neck cancers. These models are unique resources for evaluating mechanisms and efficacy of clinical trials for cancer prevention and treatments, and develop interventions for biomarker discoveries and novel therapies.  

Research activities in the XJ Wang Lab include the following:

1.Molecular mechanism of cancer: a) Role of tumor microenvironment in cancer progression and metastasis; b) Mechanisms of immune evasion of cancer and cancer immunotherapy; c) the properties of cancer stem cells; d) Experimental therapeutics and therapeutic interventions in cancer, including radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and in combination; e) How radiation therapy affects DNA damage-induced neoantigen production in tumor cells, microenvironment, and systemic effects

2.Skin biology: a) epidermal stem cell biology and differentiation; 2) mechanisms of inflammatory skin diseases; 3) wound healing and tissue remodeling

3.Therapeutic interventions in chronic wounds, radiation toxicities, inflammatory disease and fibrosis in oral cavity and skin.