Meet Ziwen Zhu, a Postdoctoral Fellow from Dr. Maria G. Castro’s Lab.    1. What motivated you to pursue postdoctoral training, and what led you to join the Castro Lab?
After my doctoral work on pancreatic cancer metabolism, I wanted to tackle glioma—one of the most challenging malignancies. Dr. Castro’s expertise in glioma biology and her lab’s success in translating therapies to clinical trials aligned perfectly with my goal of developing treatments that improve patient outcomes.

2. What is one key finding or aspect of your current research that you’re particularly excited or proud about?
Using single-cell RNA sequencing, I discovered that mIDH1 gliomas show reduced macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) due to epigenetic reprogramming. Combining immune-stimulatory gene therapy with MIF inhibition significantly extended survival in glioma models, revealing a promising new therapeutic strategy.

3. What advice would you give to graduate students or early trainees who are considering a career in your research area?
Don’t be afraid to pivot into fields that challenge you—transitioning from epithelial tumors to glioma enriched my perspective.