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Ze Zheng, MBBS, PhD

Ze Zheng, MD, PhD

Associate Professor; Associate Director of Basic Science Research

Locations

  • Health Research Center
    Versiti Blood Research Institute

Contact Information

Education

MD, Clinical Medicine, Jiamusi University
PhD, Wayne State University
Postdoc, Columbia University Medical Center

Biography

Dr. Ze Zheng is an associate professor of medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and an associate investigator at the Versiti Blood Research Institute, where her research laboratory is located. She received her MD in clinical medicine from Jiamusi University, and her PhD in molecular biology and genetics of liver metabolism from Wayne State University (mentor Kezhong Zhang, PhD). She completed her postdoctoral fellowship in cardiometabolism research at Columbia University Medical Center (mentor Ira Tabas, MD, PhD). She has published in leading journals on a broad range of topics, including fibrinolysis, thrombosis, lipid and glucose metabolism, atherosclerosis, circadian rhythm, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and air pollution-associated liver injuries.

Her recent studies focus on the role of hepatocyte-derived fibrinolytic enzymes in obesity-associated atherosclerosis, thrombosis and hemostasis. Her research has been funded by a Berrie Scholar Award from Russell Berrie Foundation, an NIH T32 training grant, an ASH Scholar Award from American Society of Hematology, a Career Development Award from American Heart Association, a Career Development Award from National Hemophilia Foundation, a Cullen Scholar Award from Steve Cullen Run Foundation through MCW Cardiovascular Research Center, a Joan Gill Pilot Award from the Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin, Startup Fund from MCW and Versiti, and two recently awarded R01s from NHLBI. She served as the Chair of the American Society of Hematology Task Force for PhD Careers, a member of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) Ethics Committee, and the Co-Chair of ISTH Fibrinolysis Subcommittee. She is also chairing the Fredrickson Lipid Research Conference in 2025 and the Gordon Research Conference on Plasminogen Activation and Extracellular Proteolysis in 2026.

Secondary Appointments

  • Associate Investigator, Versiti Blood Research Institute, Blood Center of Wisconsin
  • Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin

Leadership Positions

External

  • Member, Task Force for PhD Careers, American Society of Hematology
  • Co-chair, Fibrinolysis Subcommittee, International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasias (ISTH)
  • Member, Ethics Committee, International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasias (ISTH)
  • Member, Conflict of Interest Policy and Process Focus Group, International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH)
  • Board Member, Fredrickson Lipid Research Conference Board of Directors
  • Co-chair, Planning Committee for 2026 Fredrickson Lipid Research Conference to be held in Milwaukee, WI
  • Member, Planning Committee Member, American Heart Association Committee for Scientific Sessions Programming, representing the Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (ATVB)

Internal

  • Associate Director of Basic Science Research, ATVB Program Co-Leader, Cardiovascular Research Center, MCW
  • Member, Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences (IDP) Recruiting Committee, MCW
  • Member, Medical Scientist Training Program Recruitment Committee, MCW
  • Member, Department of Medicine Research Committee, MCW
  • Member, Education Committee, Seminar Series Committee, Versiti Blood Research Institute

Research Experience

  • Atherosclerosis
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Fatty Liver
  • Fibrinolysis
  • Lipoproteins
  • Liver Cirrhosis
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Obesity
  • Thrombosis

Research Interests

  • A new link between fibrinolytic proteins and dyslipidemia
  • Fibrinolysis in hemophilia
  • Fibrinolysis in COVID-19
  • Circadian regulation of basal fibrinolysis and the morning onset of thrombotic events
  • The role of hepatocyte tPA in liver injuries

Publications