Dr Zhanzhong Shi

Biography

Dr Shi got his first job as a resident physician in Chongqing, China, where he got his medical degree, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). He then obtained his Master of Medicine degree in Internal Medicine (Haematology), and his master’s research project focused on immunophenotyping of acute leukaemias. Dr Shi got his Doctor of Medicine degree in Internal Medicine in 2003 at Shanghai Second Medical University (Now Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine). The main project for his doctoral degree was the study of the synergism of all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukaemia. Another project for his doctoral degree focused on pharmacogenomics of anti-leukaemic drugs in acute myeloid leukaemia.

In 1995, Dr. Shi was appointed as a lecturer and attending physician in haematology, with research interests primarily focused on acute myeloid leukaemia. After obtaining his doctoral degree in 2003, he worked as a research fellow for a short period of time at Shanghai Second Medical University before returning to Chongqing to resume his role as a lecturer and attending physician in haematology. In late 2024, Dr. Shi moved to Queen’s University Belfast to take up a position as a postdoctoral research fellow, where his research focused on functionality of erythropoietin receptor in tumour cells. In early 2010, he joined Kingston University London as a lecturer and was later promoted to senior lecturer in haematology. His main research interests continued to focus on functionality of erythropoietin receptor in tumour cells and molecular mechanisms of leukaemia therapeutics. In addition, his research also included studies on the roles of bone marrow microenvironment in haematological malignancies, particularly acute leukaemias, as well as quality-of-life research in long-term survivors of haematological malignancies.

In September 2015, Dr. Shi moved to Middlesex University as a senior lecturer in biomedical science. His current research interests still focus on erythropoietin receptor signalling pathways in tumour cells and molecular mechanisms of leukaemia therapeutics, including the anti-cancer effects of bioactive peptides in haematological malignancies, particularly acute leukaemias, and their underlying mechanisms of action. 

Teaching

Dr. Shi currently teaches on the following modules and programmes;

MSc Biomedical Science programme:

Module leader BMS4803 Haematology and Transfusion Medicine

Module tutor BMS4800 Biology and Diagnosis of Disease

Module tutor BMS4801 Cellular Pathology

BSc Biomedical Science programme:

Module leader BMS2590 Haematology and Blood Transfusion

Module tutor BMS2575 Molecular Biology and Clinical Genetics

Module tutor BMS3506 Dissertation and Professional Development

Postgraduate supervision

Bismark Dwamenah, 'Functionality of erythropoietin receptor in tumour cells', director of studies, Sept. 2024 - present

Ivan Punev, 'In vitro modulation of cell signalling pathways utilising a combination of Alzheimer's drugs and cancer therapeutics in cases of comorbidity of Alzheimer's disease and myeloid leukaemia', director of studies, Sept. 2023 - present

Ban Ahmed, '‘Exploring the therapeutic effect of EZH2 inhibitor on head and neck cancer and its associated mechanisms’, second supervisor, Sept. 2022 - present