
Dr. Regan Zhang
Biography:
Dr. Regan Zhang has an PhD in Medical Genetics from the University of British Columbia and a BSc (Honours) from the University of Toronto. As a holder of the Banting and Best Canada Graduate Scholarship, Regan completed his PhD in stem cell research and developmental biology.
Dr. Zhang currently teaches BIOL 100 – Modern Biology at University Canada West. He is a dedicated communicator of science and is passionate about bringing cutting-edge information closer to people.
Expertise and Experience
Dr. Zhang has worked in scientific and communications roles in both academia and industry.
He has taught in the Biology and MD programs at UBC. In four courses on cell biology, immunology, and genetics, he was responsible for a total of 20 different tutorial/lab/workshop sections.
Dr. Zhang has also worked in business strategy, consulting and marketing roles in the biotechnology industry.
Publications and Scholarly Activity
- Role of stem/progenitor cells in reparative disorders. Fibrogenesis & Tissue Repair, 5: 20.
- The role of microglia in human disease: therapeutic tool or target? Acta Neuropathologica, 128(3): 363-380.
- Nonmyogenic cells in skeletal muscle regeneration. In G. Pavlath (Ed.), Current Topics in Developmental Biology, 96:139-65.
- Inhibition of methyltransferase Setd7 allows the In vitro expansion of myogenic stem cells with Improved therapeutic potential. Cell Stem Cell, 22(2): P177-190.E7.
- The lysine methyltransferase Ehmt2/G9a is dispensable for skeletal muscle development and regeneration. Skeletal Muscle, 6: 22.
- Regulation of regenerative fibrogenesis by innate immune cells is disrupted in chronic muscle damage and restored by nilotinib. Nature Medicine, 21: 786–794.
- The methyltransferase G9a regulates HoxA9-dependent transcription in AML. Genes & Development, 28(4):317-27.
- Tissue resident mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells in skeletal muscle: collaborators or saboteurs? FEBS Journal, 280(17): 4100-8.
- The murine caecal microRNA signature depends on the presence of the endogenous microbiota. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 8(2):171-86.
Dr. Zhang’s current research focus is nutritional science.
Awards
- Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant Award Nomination
- Banting and Best Canada Graduate Scholarship
Institutional Service
- Community Scientist, Science World