Xiaotao Zhang | Mount Sinai

About Me

Dr. Xiaotao Zhang earned his medical degree in Preventive Medicine in China. With a growing interest in disease prevention at the level of population health, he emigrated to the U.S to continue his education and training in Biostatistics and Epidemiology at Tulane University in New Orleans and The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. His research and experience are primarily focused on nutrition, the microbiome, cancer disparities and geriatric oncology. His research agenda is built upon multidisciplinary experiences studying the role of biological and modifiable factors in liver diseases and cancer prevention. By merging epidemiologic methods with innovative techniques and bioinformatic/statistical strategies, his current research examines the role of biological and modifiable factors in liver fibrosis and cancer prevention. He hopes to unravel risk factors and mechanisms to inform the development of new preventive interventions and clinical strategies.

Language

English

Position

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR | Medicine, Liver Diseases

Research Topics

Aging, Biomedical Informatics, Biostatistics, Cancer, Depression, Diabetes, Epidemiology, Gastroenterology, Global Health, Immunology, Inflammation, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Liver, Metabolomics, Microgravity, Obesity, Patient Centered Outcomes Research, Personalized Medicine, Proteomics, Public Health, Translational Research

Multi-Disciplinary Training Areas

Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in Medicine [AIET], Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutics (DMT)

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Education

Bachelor of Medicine, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University

Master of Science (MS), Tulane University,

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), The University of Texas Health Science Center

Postdoc, Baylor College of Medicine

Postdoc, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Awards

2021

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Student and Early Career Investigator Scholarship

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

2021

Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER) Kenneth Rothman Scholarship

Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER)

2020

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Scholar-in-Training Award

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

2018

Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) Integrative Epidemiology Fellowship

Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)

2018

Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASSC) Best Abstract award

Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASSC)

2018

American Public Health Association dissertation award finalist

American Public Health Association

2017

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Institutional Research Grant

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

2017

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Dr. Raju-John Stroehlein Distinguished Professorship Scholarship

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

2017

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Student Conference Funding Assistance Award; and Travel Scholarship

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)

2017

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) AIDS and Public Health Research in the Americas Scholarship

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)

2017

Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASSC) Young Investigator Award

Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASSC)

2017

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Conquer Cancer Foundation Merit Award

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)

2016

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Julius and Suzan Glickman Endowed Scholarship in Innovation

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)

2016

American Journal of Preventive Medicine Outstanding Reviewer Award

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Research

My research of microbiome also contributes to cancer prevention. While rich literature exists on oral microbiome and cancer risk, few investigations of the microbiome have been conducted among Mexican Americans, the largest population of Hispanics living within the United States. By analyzing 16sDNA sequencing of oral microbiome profile and diversity, integrated with epidemiology analysis, I found that higher alpha diversity of baseline oral microbiome was associated with higher all-cancer incidence among non-smoking Mexican American women. Therefore, my study provides an empirical basis for more studies using oral microbiome as a cancer biomarker. Results of this project are published in Cancer Prevention Research (2020) and the American Association for Cancer Research recognized me with the 2020 Scholar in Training award. I am also working on a crossover clinical trial to test whether and how an increase in the consumption of pre-cooked, canned dry beans within the context of usual diet and lifestyle can enhance the gut landscape to improve metabolic health and reduce cancer risk. Our early results of the BE GONE trial suggest that an 8-week increase in dry bean intake may be sufficient to balance or enrich the gut microbiome of high-risk colorectal patients. Additionally, my book chapter, “Diet, Microbiome, Inflammation, and Cancer” in Inflammation, Infection, and Microbiome in Cancers (Springer Nature Press May 2021) discusses the microbiome and its relationship with diet, inflammation, and cancer and describes recent human observational and interventional studies evaluating these relationships. Overall, the research suggests that diverse microbial and metabolic responses to different dietary patterns or dietary interventions, as well as high inter-individual variability, may continue to challenge our ability to find clear and consistent results across studies. In sum, my research on microbiome and cancer contributes to a better understanding of important molecular targets/biomarkers for cancer prevention/survival in the United States.