Ethan Wang

research interests

My current research interests focus on two pivotal areas: blood-based cancer detection and cancer treatment outcome prediction. Blood tests have emerged as a transformative tool for early cancer detection due to their accessibility, ability to detect multiple types of cancer, and high accuracy. These tests can provide multimodal information, including insights into the type and origin of the detected cancer, making them invaluable in guiding diagnosis and treatment decisions. Moreover, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) present in the blood offers critical information about which cancer treatments are likely to be most effective. For instance, while immunotherapies are widely used as first-line treatments for various cancers, individual responses to these therapies vary significantly. Currently, we lack reliable technologies to predict which patients will benefit most from specific therapies. This gap represents a significant challenge because optimising the use of medical resources and maximising patient survival depend on identifying the most effective treatment for each individual in advance. I believe that cfDNA holds essential clues for predicting treatment outcomes, offering a pathway to more personalised and effective cancer care.

background

My scientific journey began as an molecular biology undergraduate. My first project was investigating the protein-protein interactions in C. elegans. This experience was followed by an internship at UCL, focusing on antibody engineering for glioblastoma, which sparked my interest in translational research. Subsequently, I pursued a Master's degree at Johns Hopkins University, where I concentrated on developing iPSC-derived hepatobiliary models. After graduation, I remained at Hopkins, taking additional classes in mathematics and engineering while working in a mechanobiology lab, where I developed skills in gene editing and programming. My academic journey then led me to the Wyss Institute, where I spent six months in a graduate internship program, focusing on discovering antibodies capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier. This experience was followed by a year-long position as a research assistant at Harvard Medical School, where I contributed to the development of a novel treatment for HPV-positive cancers. Each of these experiences has been instrumental in shaping my research interests and technical skills, culminating in my current role as a DPhil student at the Ludwig Institute, where I continue to build upon this diverse scientific background.