Lab News
Keep up with the latest that is happening here in the Zhang lab. Whether it be new developments in our current projects, new lab members, or personal news from current members this is the place to look!
2025
We are thrilled to share the exciting news that the Zhang Lab has been awarded funding from the Presbyterian Health Foundation (PHF)! This generous support will empower our team to continue advancing research at the intersection of neurobiology and human health.
This summer, the Zhang Lab was honored to host Jaxon through the Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) program. Over the course of the project, Jaxon immersed himself in hands-on research, learned new techniques, and contributed meaningfully to our ongoing studies.
The Zhang Lab had an exciting opportunity to attend the 2025 International C. elegans Meeting, a global gathering of worm researchers and enthusiasts! From cutting-edge discoveries in neural circuits and behavior to groundbreaking advances in gene editing and metabolism, the conference was packed with inspiring talks and innovative poster sessions.
The Zhang Lab took a well-deserved break to enjoy a relaxing lunch together! Good food, great company, and lots of laughter made it a perfect midday recharge. It’s always refreshing to step away from the bench and connect with the amazing people behind the science. Here’s to more good meals and good moments!
We would love to welcome Jaxon Work to the Zhang lab! Jackson is an undergraduate participating in the NARCH program this summer. We are very excited to have him here and can’t wait for the work he accomplishes here with us!
Monalisa Choudhury, a GPiBS student, officially starts her rotation in the lab!
We would like to welcome one of our newest members of the Zhang Lab, Jundan Deng! Before joining the lab, Jundan spent her PhD studies at Anhui Agricultural University where she specialized in investigating the immune system of Monochamus alternatus and the response of its symbiotic bacteria to entomopathogenic fungi. We are excited to have her as a part of the lab and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes!!
Welcome to the Zhang Lab! We are so excited to explore and share our new discoveries, projects, and data with everyone! Come back to the Worm Lab website for updates on our journey to answer life’s most complex and exciting questions!
2024
Jeremy Alexander, a GPiBS student, officially starts his rotation in the lab!
We would love to welcome Yuling Guo our new Postdoctoral researcher in the Zhang Lab! After earning her PhD in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, she decided to continue follow her fascination with C. elegans. We are so excited and honored to have you here Yuling!
We would love to welcome Zhen Zhang, a visiting master’s student from the Institute of Zoology (IOZ) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), who will be spending a year here at the Worm Lab to further his knowledge in C. elegans! We are so excited and honored to have you here Zhen!
We would love to welcome Xochitl Gonzalez to the Worm Lab! Xoch, a recent LSU graduate, has officially joined the lab as our new laboratory technician. We are excited and honored to have you join the lab!
We would love to welcome Alex Corgan to the Worm Lab! Alex is in the OK-INBRE Summer Undergraduate Research Program and will be spending time with us learning and completing a project with C. elegans. We are glad to have you on board Alex!
We would love to welcome Weiwei Shen, a visiting master’s student from Huazhong Agricultural University, who will be spending a year here at the Worm Lab to further his knowledge in C. elegans! We are so excited and honored to have you here Weiwei!
Our NIH grant, R00GM141267, is funded!!
Megan Runion, a GPiBS student, officially starts her rotation in the lab!
2023
Savanna Fisher officially joins the lab as a research technician!
The Zhang Lab officially opens in the Department of Cell Biology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center!