Zhongming Zhao

Biomarker Core

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Personal Statement

With over 25 years of interdisciplinary research experience in bioinformatics, statistical genetics, genomics, and machine learning, I possess a comprehensive background in developing precision medicine frameworks for cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders. My expertise lies in the integration of complex, heterogeneous data types to resolve the molecular architecture of disease. Since 2009, I have led large-scale bioinformatics initiatives, overseeing the analysis of more than 100 high-throughput projects spanning whole-genome sequencing, single-cell and nuclei RNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, and epigenomic profiling.

My leadership experience is anchored by a track record of directing high-impact cores and centers. Currently, I serve as the Director of the CPRIT-funded Cancer Genomics Core and the Center for Precision Health at UTHealth. Previously, I served as the Chief Bioinformatics Officer for the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and Associate Director of the Vanderbilt Center for Quantitative Sciences. In these roles, I have spearheaded the bioinformatics and data management strategies for major NIH and NCI-funded initiatives, including multiple SPORE, P30, P50, and U01 grants. My laboratory has a long-standing history of developing innovative NGS analysis pipelines, machine learning methods, and widely utilized biomedical databases, supported by a robust team of approximately 20 researchers.

I am an active contributor to global scientific consortia, including the ICGC, TCGA, and the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. To date, I have collaborated with over 80 researchers to bridge the gap between raw genomic data and clinical insights. I serve as Co-Investigator for the HADRC Biomarkers Core, where I provide strategic oversight for all bioinformatics and computational studies. My role ensures the rigorous integration of multi-omic data to identify and validate novel biomarkers, ultimately advancing the center's translational objectives.

Biography

Dr. Zhongming Zhao, PhD, is the Vice President of Cancer Genomic Medicine and the University Chair for Precision Health at UTHealth Houston. He serves as the founding director of the Center for Precision Health and the UTHealth Cancer Genomics Center, where he leads high-impact initiatives in translational bioinformatics and data science. With over 25 years of interdisciplinary experience spanning genomics, statistical genetics, and machine learning, Dr. Zhao is a national leader in developing computational frameworks to resolve the molecular architecture of complex diseases. His research program focuses on the integration of heterogeneous multi-omics data, including whole-genome sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, to advance precision medicine in cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Zhao has authored over 550 publications and has been a primary or lead investigator on more than 100 funded grants totaling over $190 million. Before joining UTHealth in 2016, he held the Ingram Professorship at Vanderbilt University and served as the Chief Bioinformatics Officer for the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. His contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous honors, including his election as a Fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics, the American Medical Informatics Association, and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.

Dr. Zhao’s academic foundation is uniquely broad, holding a PhD in Human and Molecular Genetics from UTHealth Houston and three master’s degrees in Genetics, Biomathematics, and Computer Science. He is a committed educator and administrator who has mentored nearly 100 students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom now hold leadership roles in academia and industry. By bridging the gap between big data and clinical application, Dr. Zhao continues to drive the evolution of genomic medicine and the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

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