Han-Fei Ding, M.D., Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Han-Fei Ding, M.D., Ph.D. is the Gene P. Seagal Endowed Professor in the Department of Pathology. He received his medical degree from Anhui Medical College in China (1982), master’s degree in immunology from Sun Yat-Sen Medical University in China (1985), and Ph.D. from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. He did his postdoctoral training at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School (1993-2000) and became an independent investigator in 2001. Dr. Ding has a long-standing interest in cancer biology, focusing on transcriptional and epigenetic control of cancer cell proliferation, survival, and metabolism. His Ph.D. project was focused on bacterial RNA polymerases and promoters. As a postdoctoral fellow, he studied epigenetic regulation of transcription and p53 regulation of apoptosis. As an independent investigator, his research is recognized for work on epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of cancer metabolism, neuroblastoma pathogenesis, and NF-κB2 regulation of apoptosis and lymphomagenesis. He enjoys travel, classic literature, and good movies and is a big fan of college and professional football.
Gia-Buu Tran, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Gia-Buu Tran, Ph.D. joined the Ding laboratory as a postdoctoral fellow in January 2021. She obtained her Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine from the Chonnam National University, Korea in 2015 and did her research and teaching as a faculty at the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (2015-2020). Her research focuses on targeting the mevalonate pathway and cholesterol synthesis as a potential therapeutic strategy for high-risk neuroblastoma. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, meditation, and traveling.
Thi Thinh Nguyen, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Thi Thinh Nguyen, Ph.D. joined Dr. Ding’s laboratory as a Postdoctoral fellow in July 2022. She obtained Ph.D. in Molecular Medical Science from the Medical School of Chonnam National University at Korea in 2017. Her doctoral thesis described the molecular mechanism of bile acids on colorectal cancer development via IL-8 expression regulation and the inhibitory effect against bile acid-stimulated colorectal cancer progress of the type-2 diabetes drug, metformin. Joining Dr. Ding’s laboratory, she expects to enhance her research skill and expand her knowledge in cancer biology, especially cancer cell metabolism. Out of the lab, she enjoys playing with her children and traveling with her family.
Anamika Gupta, Ph.D.
Researcher V
Anamika Gupta, Ph.D. earned her bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine from RAJUVAS in India, her master’s in Veterinary Pathology from GADVASU in India, and her Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas in 2020. After completing her Ph.D., she joined Dr. Ding’s Lab as a post-doctoral fellow in 2021 at Augusta University, GA, and moved with him to UAB in Sept. 2021. Later, she was promoted to Researcher V in 2022. Her research work is focused on deciphering the molecular epigenetic mechanisms that control the metabolic processes critical for sustaining cancer cell growth and proliferation, with a focus on pediatric cancer such as Neuroblastoma. She enjoys cooking Indian and continental foods and going shopping in her leisure time.
Mohit Bansal, Ph.D.
Researcher V
Mohit Bansal, Ph.D. was raised in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India, and earned his B.V.Sc (equivalent to D.V.M.) from Pondicherry University, as well as his master’s in Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology from GADVASU, Punjab (India). After receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas in 2020, he joined Dr. Ding’s Lab as a post-doctoral fellow in 2021 and was promoted to Researcher V in 2022. His research focuses on the role of RNA epigenetics in cancer metabolism, and he is passionate about both molecular biology and bioinformatics. Outside of the lab, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Anamika, and daughter, Shaila.
Jane L. Ding, M.D.
Lab Manager
Jane Ding, M.D. has been a researcher and lab manager in the Ding Laboratory since 2009 and oversees everything (big or small) in the lab. She obtained her medical degree from Wannan (South Anhui) Medical College in 1984. She worked as a Surgeon in the Emergency Room of the Wuhu (Yi Ji Shan) General Hospital (1984-1987), then a lab technician at the University of South Alabama (1988-1992), a research associate at Biogen (1994-2001) and the University of Toledo College of Medicine (2001-2008). Her research in the Ding laboratory has centered on the pathogenesis of high-risk neuroblastoma, a deadly pediatric cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. She enjoys travel, cooking, and good movies.
