When Global Experiences Inform Basic Science Research

Jiexi Chen is a fifth-year PhD student in the Driskill Graduate Program. Chen studied geophysics at Wuhan University and holds a graduate degree from Northwestern in Environmental Engineering.  

Currently in the laboratory of Karla Satchell, PhD, the Anne Stewart Youmans Professor of Microbiology, Chen studies the biological mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions in infectious disease. 

Where is your hometown? 

Nanjing, a historically important city in China, served as the country's capital for six dynasties.  

What sparked your interest in science or medicine? 

My passion for biomedical science was ignited during an environmental study in the Kayamandi township in South Africa, where I analyzed local antibiotic resistance patterns. This experience inspired me to delve into basic science research, with a focus on understanding disease mechanisms and developing effective preventive and therapeutic tools for vulnerable populations.  

What are your research interests?  

I am interested in studying the molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions in infectious diseases, with the goal of developing therapeutic applications.  

What are you currently working on? 

I study host cellular receptors for one of the largest pore-forming toxins, terms multifunctional-auto processing repeats-in-toxin (MARTX) toxin. It is a critical virulence factor for V. vulnificus, a highly lethal pathogen that usually infects humans through the consumption of raw oysters.   

Please tell us about a defining moment in your education at Feinberg thus far. 

I benefited from Feinberg's collaborative culture and established research collaborations with researchers in Denmark during a Gordon Research Conference supported by a DGP travel grant. This partnership brought in the expertise needed for the new direction of my project.  

What do you hope to do with your degree? 

I hope to serve as a principal investigator to conduct independent research.