Zhongming Zhao
About Zhongming Zhao
Zhongming Zhao is an Adjunct Professor of Biomedical Informatics at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Vanderbilt University, with extensive experience in genomics, computational biology, and bioinformatics.
Current Roles and Responsibilities
Zhongming Zhao currently serves in multiple key positions at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). These roles include being the Director of the CPRIT Biomedical Informatics, Genomics, and Translational Cancer Research Training Program, Director of the UTHealth Cancer Genomics Center, Chair for Precision Health, Founding Director of the Center for Precision Health, and Professor at the Human Genetics Center and the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences. Additionally, Zhao is the Founding President of the International Association for Intelligent Biology and Medicine (IAIBM) and an Adjunct Professor of Biomedical Informatics at Vanderbilt University.
Past Positions and Experience
Before his current roles, Zhongming Zhao held numerous positions at Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. These roles included Ingram Endowed Professor of Cancer Research, Associate Director of the Center for Quantitative Sciences, Chief Bioinformatics Officer, Director of the Bioinformatics Resource Center, and Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics, Cancer Biology, and Psychiatry. Zhao also worked as an Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and as The Keck Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at The W.M. Keck Center for Computational and Structural Biology, Gulf Coast Consortia.
Education and Expertise
Zhongming Zhao's educational background is extensive. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human and Molecular Genetics and a Master of Science (MS) in Biomathematics from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He earned a Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science from the University of Houston and another Master of Science (MS) in Genetics from Peking University. Zhao completed his Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology at Zhejiang University. His academic and professional training spans genomics, computational biology, AI, molecular epidemiology, and complex disease studies.
Research and Publications
Zhongming Zhao has an impressive record of research accomplishments, with more than 370 publications in the fields of genomics, computational biology, AI, molecular epidemiology, and complex disease studies. His contributions have advanced knowledge and techniques in these areas significantly, including leading the first lab at Vanderbilt to analyze whole genome sequencing data. Zhao has also served as Principal Investigator (PI) for more than 20 grants, underscoring his active role in pioneering research and development.
Teaching and Administrative Experience
Zhongming Zhao has over 15 years of teaching experience in bioinformatics and systems biology, contributing to the training and mentorship of the next generation of scientists. In addition, Zhao has extensive administrative experience in medical centers, evidenced by his leadership roles at UTHealth and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. His administrative duties have included managing functional genomics shared resources and other bioinformatics cores, ensuring the progression and integrity of cutting-edge research.