Zhong completed his bachelor’s degree in biology at Peking University in China before earning his Masters of Science in biotechnology and Ph.D. in molecular biology from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. After moving to the United States to explore his passions in genetics, Zhong completed postdoctoral training at Yale University School of Medicine in the Department of Genetics. Working with Professor David Ward to investigate genetic variability of human genomes during his time at Yale, Zhong moved his research to the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
During his time at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Zhong first researched DNA sequence variation to understand the differences between people on a genetic level. Using this research, Zhong became passionate about epigenetics and connected his former research to how gene differences affect patients’ ability to metabolize drugs. Building on this work, Zhong published pioneering work examining histone modification, a key mechanism that helps determine whether genes are turned on or off based on how tightly or loosely DNA is packaged within proteins.
In his most recent career move, Zhong moved back to Connecticut to pursue his current role as Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at UConn’s School of Pharmacy. For Zhong, joining UConn Pharmacy as a faculty member was a no-brainer for him and his family. Spending six years in Connecticut during his time at Yale, Zhong and his family fell in love with the state and moved back with excitement. Additionally, Zhong was enthusiastic about continuing his research on epigenetics and drug metabolism at UConn, using animal models to turn this research into results.
Once he arrived at the School in 2012, Zhong was tasked with developing a new course in pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine. Working with Theodore Rasmussen (Ph.D.), Zhong created this elective course for students to take in their third (P3) professional year.
When he’s not teaching P3 students, Zhong is cultivating passion in students in their first professional year at the School. Teaching courses in the Principles of Drug Action (PDA) and Introduction to Therapeutics, Zhong introduces P1 students to therapeutics and treatments for patients.
Aside from teaching, Zhong’s pride lies with mentoring his Ph.D. students in epigenetics and genetics research. Using animal models to understand how certain drugs are metabolized, Zhong and his students can uncover the impact of these drugs on the liver. With the goal of transitioning their research on humans and empowering patients to make effective medication decisions, some of Zhong’s students have gone on to work for pharmaceutical companies like Johnson & Johnson, Merck, AbbVie, and Boehringer Ingelheim.
Looking for an outlet for his passions in pharmacology, Zhong became an ASPET member in 2007. Founded in 1908, ASPET is a prestigious, professional scientific society with 10 divisions where members explore how drugs and chemicals interact with living systems. Alongside attending almost every annual meeting since becoming a member, Zhong’s graduate students have received multiple awards for best presentations and best papers from the prestigious society. Zhong is also a member of the ASPET Division for Drug Metabolism and Disposition (DMDD) and the Division for Molecular Pharmacology. He has served as Councilor (2009-2012) and Chair (2021-2022) of DMDD and is currently on the ASPET Program Committee (2024-2028). Additionally, Zhong is the associate editor for the Drug Metabolism and Disposition journal and has published more than 30 research papers and more than 15 editorial articles in this journal.
Selected as a 2025 Fellow, Zhong joins former UConn School of Pharmacy dean, James Halpert (1949-2024) and UConn School of Pharmacy Pharmaceutical Sciences department head, José Manautou (Ph.D.) as UConn faculty members to be among the individuals named ASPET Fellows. Honored to receive this prestigious recognition, Zhong is looking forward to the future opportunities this position and his role at UConn will provide him. Looking to the future, Zhong hopes to pioneer the transition from animal research to human centered research using organ-on-chip at the School and advance drug discovery across the nation.
Click here to learn more about ASPET and its 2025 Fellows.
