Meet Our Team
Our team members are at the core of what makes Laboratory of Keith Syson Chan such a unique and fulfilling place to work. We take pride in the diversity of our staff, with each member contributing their unique skills to the projects we are working on.
Keith Syson Chan
Principal Investigator
I received my PhD at UT MD Anderson and my postdoc training at Stanford. I am enthusiastic about cancer research that can ultimately impact patients' lives. I enjoy Jazz and getting to know other music lovers at local bars. Tony Bennett is my favorite. I appreciate impressionist art work and blown glass e.g., Chihuly. During the pandemic, I am using the instant pot as a novel approach to optimize experimental protocols.
Contact us to find out more about our team.
Fotis Nikolos
Assistant Professor (Former CPRIT fellow)
I have a B.S. in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Democritus University of Thrace in Greece. I received my PhD from University of Houston. For hobbies, I love cooking food (especially BBQ/Grilling), eating, and baking. I also love to run (to compensate from all the eating!).
Hongbo (Beth) Gao
Research Associate
I received my MBBS in Clinical Medicine from Taishan Medical University and went on to obtain a PhD in Basic Biomedical Sciences from the University of South Dakota. Currently, I am studying the crosstalk between cancer cells and its stromal niche. In my spare time, I love spending time and playing with my children, exploring the beaches, zoo and California outdoor scenics!
Stephen Wong
Post-Doctoral Fellow
I obtained my B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Western Australia in Perth, and went on to obtain a PhD in Biological Sciences from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. I am interested to understand more about therapy resistance and mechanisms of metastasis in various cancer, and how the immune system plays a role in these deleterious phenotypes. During my free time, I enjoy a good game of badminton, the great outdoors, and eating! I love the Japanese culture and music, too! Yoroshiku!
Winston Huang
Bioinformatician
I started bioinformatics as a side career since my postdoctoral fellowship in 2019 at Houston Methodist and recently received my Masters degree in Biomedical Informatics at University of Texas, Houston. My two major roles in the lab are 1) to validate the experimental findings in the lab using bioinformatics approaches and large-scale, multi-omics datasets and 2) to establish bioinformatics analysis pipelines for the spatial transcriptomic/proteomic services for our newly established core facility. My expertise includes but is not limited to effective data visualization and presentation, gene signature development and assessment, statistical modeling, automated data processing, and computer programming. My hobbies include computer-related technology, video gaming, gym workouts, and fishing.
Grace L. Wong
Post-Doctoral Fellow
I received my M.S. in Biology from Villanova University and my Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from Wake Forest University. During my Ph.D., I relocated to Houston, TX and started in the Chan lab after graduation. My research focuses on understanding how urothelial cancer cells metastasize to the lymph nodes. Outside of lab, I love to spend time with my pets or try new restaurants in Houston!
Shuang Peng
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Sima Zolfaghari
Post-Doctoral Fellow
I Received both my MSc degree and my Ph.D. degree from the University of Oslo, Norway. During my MSc, I focused on studies investigating p21 expression in Melanoma cancer cells at the Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, and completed a Molecular Bioscience program at the University of Oslo. In my doctorate research, conducted at the Institute for Surgical Research, Oslo University Hospital, I explored the regulation and cellular distribution of the matricellular protein CCN5, in wound healing following myocardial infarction. Furthermore, elucidated the bioactive entity of CCN5, its cell signaling properties and functions in various cells. I am interested in investigating the two-way interactions between metastatic cells and the metastatic tumor microenvironment to provide the immune system with better therapies against the tumor. In my spare time, I can be easily found at the gym, watching movies or enjoying my time cooking and shopping.
Khanh Chau
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Santanu Maji
Research Associate
David Chang
Research Associate
Xen Ping Hoi
Graduate Student
I received my B.S. in Biochemistry from UCLA. I am interested in the cross-talk between immune cells and their microenvironment during disease progression (i.e., in cancer). I enjoy exploring eateries, hanging out with friends, hiking and being restful during vacations.
Ethan Subel
Research Assistant
I obtained my bachelor's degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara in biology with an emphasis in biochemistry and molecular biology. My previous research project aimed at elucidating mechanisms of novel pro-viral host factors that help viruses escape innate immunity upon infection. I now hope to apply my knowledge and experience to the field of cancer biology to contribute to projects to better understand emerging topics such as the immune microenvironment, therapeutic resistance, and repopulation prior to pursuing graduate level studies in translational immunology. During my free time, I am an avid sports fan and enjoy spending time with friends and family.
Jan Zhang
Research Associate
Yen Nhi Dang
Research Technician
Haley Garcia
Research Assistant
