Becoming a Scientist to Help Patients with Brain Cancer

What drew you to the biomedical question you addressed in your research, and what did your studies find?

I grew up in Hotan, a city in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of northwest China and one of the most isolated and medically underserved areas of the country. When my great-grandmother, who raised me, experienced a severe headache and needed brain surgery, the nearest neurosurgeon was more than 300 miles away. She passed away during the transfer, and I made up my mind to become a neurosurgeon so others would not have to experience that.

I was accepted at Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, one of the top three medical institutions in China, and afterward, at a top neurosurgery program at Huashan Hospital. During my training in Huashan, I developed a strong research interest in neuro-oncology. Determined to become a neurosurgeon-scientist, I pursued my dream at Mayo Clinic under the mentorship of Dr. Ian Parney.

My Ph.D. research focused on developing a noninvasive technique for the early detection of brain tumors, particularly glioblastoma. Though rare, glioblastoma is one of the most common adult malignant brain tumors, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. My studies examined plasma samples from Mayo Clinic's neuro-oncology biobank. I compared tiny particles of molecular information, known as extracellular vesicles, or EVs, given off by cancer cells with those given off by normal cells. No known markers exist for EVs given off by tumor cells, and the EVs from tumors exist at low levels, so we developed a novel method to isolate and characterize extracellular vesicles circulating in human plasma.

My research identified unique molecular profiles of the EVs from normal cells and found differences between those in patients with glioblastoma and those in healthy people. The findings establish the foundation for a potential blood test to detect tumor recurrence, a tool that could quickly and definitively change a patient's treatment plan. My hope is that my research will lead to advances that help detect glioblastoma early and prolong the survival of patients.

How has your training at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences prepared you for your career?

My experience at Mayo solidified my determination to become a clinician-scientist. It instilled in me a commitment to constant learning and the pursuit of rigorous scientific research. Beyond that, I was constantly impressed by Dr. Parney's dedication to student education and well-being. Despite his busy schedule as a neurosurgeon-scientist, he always made time for our biweekly Monday morning meetings. I consider myself lucky to have had such a mentor during this journey. He embodies the person I aspire to become — an ideal example for my future. I look forward to continuing to work with him and learn from him.

What's next?

I accomplished my dream to match into neurosurgery residency in the U.S. and have begun my training at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. It is uncertain if I will ever be able to return to my village. Despite this, my path forward is clear: complete neurosurgery residency training, continue my research, promote diversity in science and medical training, while advocating for patients from underrepresented backgrounds. I hope that this will allow me to contribute both in my new home, the U.S., and someday in the community I grew up in.