Meet the Researcher: Aihan Zhang

 Aihan Zhang, PhD, has recently joined the Department of Oncology as a postdoctoral researcher, studying cancer vaccines as part of the GO-PRECiSE Alliance (Pre-Cancer Intervention, Surveillance, and Exploration). Launched by GlaxoSmithKline and Oxford University (GO) in 2024, GO-PRECiSE aims to advance our understanding of precancer biology, to uncover molecular vulnerabilities that can be targeted with novel interventions, including vaccines.

Aihan completed her PhD at the Institute of Healthy Aging at University College London, where she investigated ageing-related signalling pathways and their roles in age-related diseases and cancer. Her research focused on therapeutic target identification and the development of vaccine delivery systems, sparking an interest in translational research that bridges fundamental biology and clinical applications.

At the Department of Oncology, Aihan is part of a multi-disciplinary team working on the design and validation of mRNA-based vaccines for cancer prevention. Aihan’s role centres on neoepitope discovery: analysing genomic and immunopeptidomic datasets to look for tumour-specific peptide sequences that can be targeted through immunotherapy. Identifying clinically actionable tumour targets is critical to the development of cancer vaccines, which work by educating the immune system to produce an anti-tumour response. By delivering the genetic instructions for a specific neoepitope, mRNA-based vaccines train the immune system to recognise and attack tumour cells. In this way, the immune system is effectively primed to eliminate tumour cells.

‘This work is pivotal in the field of oncology as it shifts the paradigm from treatment to prevention. By targeting precancerous cells before they progress to malignant tumours, we aim to reduce cancer incidence and improve patient outcomes.’ - Aihan Zhang

Led by Professor Sarah Blagden, this pioneering project is reimagining cancer care. By focusing on prevention rather than cure, precancer vaccines hold the potential to revolutionise our approach to cancer management, intercepting the disease before it has a chance to take hold.

‘Collaborating with a diverse team of experts enhances my learning and growth, and I am excited about the potential of our work to make a meaningful difference in people's lives.’