This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony on Oct. 29 for UNMC’s 2026 Scientist Laureate, Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist and New Investigator recipients.
Jian Xie, PhD, will receive a New Investigator Award. New Investigator Awards go to outstanding UNMC scientists who in the past year have secured their first independent funding from a national source. New investigators also must demonstrate scholarly activity such as publishing their research and/or presenting their findings at national conventions
- Name: Jian Xie, PhD
- Title: Assistant professor, UNMC Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, UNMC College of Medicine
- Joined UNMC: July 2023
- Hometown: Guizhou Province, China
Please describe your research focus in three words or less:
- GlycoRNA
- Virus
- Cancer
Why is research important in the world today?
Research gives society the knowledge and tools to solve problems before they become crises. It transforms unanswered questions into better ways to prevent disease, diagnose it earlier, and treat it more effectively. Just as importantly, basic research reveals mechanisms we could not have predicted, creating opportunities for future discoveries and technologies that may benefit patients for decades.
My research will make a difference because:
My laboratory studies how viruses exploit cell-surface molecules and membrane-trafficking pathways to enter cells and establish infection. We are particularly interested in newly recognized cell-surface RNAs, including glycoRNAs, and their associated RNA-binding proteins. By defining how these unconventional molecules control viral entry and intracellular trafficking, we hope to uncover fundamental principles of cell biology and identify new biomarkers or therapeutic targets for HPV and other virus-associated diseases, including cancer.
The best advice I’ve ever received is:
Ask an important question, then let the biology – not the technique – determine how you answer it.
Three things you may not know about me are:
- I am a former professional-level table tennis player.
- I am an experienced amateur Go player.
- I am a philosophy enthusiast.