Member Spotlight: Xiaokui Zhang, PhD

Xiaokui Zhang, PhD
Aspen Neuroscience, USA

Hometown
Nanjing, China

Current Residence
San Diego, California, USA

Graduate Degree
B.S. in Physiology, Nanjing University; Ph.D. in Molecular Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University.

Postdoc Work
Postdoctoral training in Functional Genomics at Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Current Position
Chief Scientific Officer, Aspen Neuroscience, Inc.

ISSCR Participation
Speaker at the iPSC 20th Anniversary Symposium: 20 Years of iPSC Discovery: A Celebration and Vision for the Future

• What is the current focus of your research?

  My work focuses on developing autologous induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neuron replacement therapies for CNS diseases like Parkinson's disease. This includes integrating stem cell biology, bioinformatics, and translational science to ensure product safety, consistency, and clinical relevance as therapies move from bench to bedside.

• How would you explain the significance of this work to a lay audience?

  Parkinson’s disease is caused by loss of dopamine‑producing neurons. Our approach starts with a small sample of a patient’s skin, reprograms those cells into iPSCs, and then generates new dopamine neuron precursors for that same patient. The goal is not just to treat symptoms, but to restore lost function and potentially change the course of the disease without using immunosuppression due to the autologous setting.

• What do you find most rewarding about your work?

  What I find most rewarding is seeing rigorous science translated into real therapeutic possibilities for patients. Bridging bench research with clinical application and knowing that our work may meaningfully improve patients’ lives is incredibly motivating.

• What led you to become a scientist and to stem cell research?

  I have always been fascinated by how complex biological systems develop and function. Stem cell research offered a unique opportunity to study fundamental biology while also enabling entirely new therapeutic strategies. The ability to reprogram cells and redirect their fate continues to feel both scientifically elegant and deeply impactful.

• What guidance would you share in talking with trainees interested in pursuing your area of research?

  I encourage trainees to build a strong foundation in basic biology while staying curious about translation and real-world impact. Stem cell research is inherently interdisciplinary, so learning to collaborate across fields and developing resilience and patience are just as important as technical skills.

• Do you have any mentors or individuals who have inspired you in your stem cell work?

  I have been fortunate to learn from many mentors across academia and industry who value scientific rigor, integrity, and mentorship. I am especially inspired by leaders who are willing to tackle complex diseases and commit to the long, challenging path of translating stem cell science into therapies.

• How do you spend your free time?

  I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, and staying active. I also appreciate opportunities to support scientific communities and patient advocacy efforts outside of my day-to-day work.

• What is something your peers would be surprised to learn about you?

  'People may be surprised to learn how personally meaningful mentorship and patient advocacy are to me. Supporting trainees, early-stage professionals, and patient-focused research communities is deeply important to me. These relationships ground my work and continuously remind me why advancing stem cell science with care, responsibility and empathy matters.

• What do you most value about your membership with the ISSCR?

  ISSCR provides an unparalleled global community and evolving standards that bring together scientific excellence, ethical leadership, and collaboration. I value the society’s role in educating patients and convening international dialogue at conferences and symposiums.