Lei Zhang is the Molecular Pharmacology Highlighted Trainee Author for the August 2022 issue. She is a second-year PhD student in toxicology at Texas A&M University where she is a graduate research assistant in the laboratory of Stephen Safe. The Molecular Pharmacology article that earned her selection as a Highlighted Trainee Author is titled “Resveratrol Binds Nuclear Receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) and Acts as an NR4A1 Antagonist in Lung Cancer Cells” and is available at https://doi.org/10.1124/molpharm.121.000481.

Ms. Zhang conducts research on molecular oncology and potential clinical applications of a series of phytochemical-derived natural products that are ligands for the orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, TR3, NUR77). She is investigating bis-indole-derived (CDIM) compounds and multiple polyphenolics as NR4A1 ligands and as novel mechanism-based anticancer agents. Her specific project is focused on phytochemical derived and newly discovered CDIMs compounds that exhibit a binding affinity for NR4A1 and investigate their role as NR4A1 antagonists that inhibit NR4A1-dependent cancer cell growth, survival, migration, and invasion. Ms. Zhang expects that the phytochemical-derived and CDIM-derived compounds as NR4A1 ligands can be used as adjuncts along with current cancer therapies.

When not working in the lab, Shalini enjoys meditation and spending time with her family and friends.  She also enjoys hiking and traveling.