Meet Dr. Liang Zhou, M.D., Ph.D., a leading immunologist and professor at the University of Florida whose groundbreaking research focuses on how immune cells in mucosal tissues interact with the environment. His research sheds light on the connections between diet, microbiota, and immune health. With a Ph.D. from UCLA and postdoctoral training at NYU, Dr. Zhou has spent over a decade investigating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), an environmental sensor that regulates key immune responses.
Dr. Zhou’s work has earned him prestigious honors, including the Pew Scholars in the Biomedical Sciences award and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease award. These recognitions have supported his innovative research and opened doors for deeper collaboration across disciplines. As Director of the Center for Inflammation and Mucosal Immunology, he continues to foster impactful scientific dialogue and mentorship.
Outside the lab, Dr. Zhou finds clarity while jogging in nature and encourages young scientists to pursue research with passion, humility, and a strong work ethic. He reminds us that true progress in science comes from collaboration, self-reflection, and the willingness to question our own assumptions.
Read the full interview here:
Can you provide a brief introduction about yourself and your academic background?
I’m an immunologist, and my training has focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of immune responses. I was recruited to the University of Florida about ten years ago from Northwestern University, and I’ve been working here since. My research centers on the immune responses in mucosal tissues, particularly in the intestinal tract. We study how different immune cells in these tissues react to environmental stimuli, such as the microbiome or dietary components, and how these interactions affect not only gut health but the health of the entire body. We’re especially interested in understanding this crosstalk between environmental signals and the immune system to help promote immune homeostasis and overall well-being.
I’ve worked in several institutions. I earned my PhD from UCLA, and then I completed a postdoctoral fellowship at NYU with Dr. Dan Littman. That was a particularly exciting time in science, the field was full of rapid advances and new discoveries. After that, I became an assistant professor at Northwestern, where I established my own lab. I was later promoted to associate professor with tenure in 2015 before moving to UF. Currently, I am a Professor at the IDI department at CVM.
What is the primary focus of your research?
Our main focus is understanding immune cells in mucosal tissues and their interactions with the environment. I’ve been fascinated by how these tissues are constantly exposed to external stimuli. During my postdoc, my colleagues and I helped identify a type of immune cell called T helper 17 (Th17) cells, which play a key role in inflammation but also have important physiological functions.
Through gene profiling, I identified a transcription factor called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), which is an environmental sensor. While originally studied for its role in detecting pollutants, we’ve since learned that AHR can also respond to dietary and microbiome bacteria components to regulate Th17 cells and other immune cells. That discovery sparked my interest in how environmental factors influence immune function. We’ve been studying AHR for over 16 years now and continue to uncover new insights into its role in the immune system.
Why is your research important? What impact does it have on the field or society?
As scientists, we often make progress in small steps. True paradigm shifts are rare and require a strong foundation of incremental discoveries. Our ultimate goal is to understand the intricate machinery of the human body and how even small populations of immune cells in the gut can significantly affect overall health.
We’re particularly focused on how the immune system interacts with diet, microbiota, and other environmental factors. Understanding these interactions can help us maintain health or improve overall health. By advancing our fundamental knowledge every day, we hope to contribute to improved therapies and preventative strategies.
Can you describe any current research projects you are working on?
Our current research still revolves around AHR. We’ve been fortunate to receive continuous funding from the NIH for over 16 years. One of our recent projects explores how AHR and other factors regulate immune cell metabolism, a process also influenced by the environment. Understanding the metabolic regulation of immune cells is a growing area of interest, and we’re excited to see how this line of research develops.
What methodologies or approaches do you use in your research?
As a molecular immunologist, I use a variety of techniques, including next-generation omics studies using single-cell sequencing. We also employ immune assays such as flow cytometry to assess the function and behavior of immune cells.
To study these processes in a biologically relevant context, we use animal models that mimic human diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease. We also work with models of bacterial and parasitic infections, as well as cancer. Immunology is a broad field, and the immune system is involved in nearly every aspect of health and disease. For example, for cancer therapy in the past, people always used drugs or other agents to kill cancer cells. Now we have a tool to modulate immune cells that can treat or even cure cancer in a more natural way.
Are you collaborating with any other researchers or institutions? If so, how do these collaborations enhance your work?
Yes, we collaborate both within the University of Florida and with researchers at other institutions. Science doesn’t happen in isolation, collaboration is essential. In my lab, I also encourage graduate students and postdocs to collaborate with each other and seek collaboration opportunities within UF and beyond. Teamwork accelerates progress and helps us reach our goals more effectively.
Have you received any notable awards or recognitions for your research?
Most of the time, we work quietly, and our goal is not to gain attention but to contribute meaningfully to science. That said, I’ve been fortunate to have our work recognized by the field. One recognition I’m especially grateful for is being selected as a Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences. Each year, only a small number of researchers in the U.S. are chosen for this honor. Over several years, I had the opportunity to engage with scientists from diverse fields, not just immunology but also plant biology, cancer research, and more. The interdisciplinary discussions and connections I made through that program have become lasting relationships. Even now, I continue to interact with other Pew Scholars, and that network has been incredibly valuable.
Another award I’m deeply appreciative of is Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease award. This private funding allowed us to explore new research directions that we might not have been able to pursue through traditional federal grants. Having that flexibility made a significant difference in the growth and depth of our research. I have still constantly interacted with BWF. As a matter of fact, BWF generously funded a keynote speech during last year’s mini-symposium at the Center for Inflammation and Mucosal Immunology that I am currently serving as the director. These two awards stand out to me not only because of the recognition, but because of the opportunities they opened up to think more creatively and collaborate more broadly.
Outside of your research, what other interests or hobbies do you have?
I love being in nature, and Florida’s climate was one of the reasons I wanted to move here. I enjoy jogging in the mornings! It’s a peaceful time when I can reflect, focus, and sometimes even come up with new ideas for research. It’s a quiet, personal moment in an otherwise busy day.
How can others learn more about your work or get in touch with you?
I always welcome people to read our research papers and explore our data. I am considered to be a dinosaur because I’m not on social media. I prefer to stay focused and avoid outside influence. The best way to reach me is by email.
Email: liangzhou497@ufl.edu
Website: https://idi.vetmed.ufl.edu/zhou-lab/
What is your general advice for anyone who wants to do what you do?
This is an important question. My advice to anyone pursuing this career is to have passion, be self-critical, and work hard.
Passion is essential, it’s what keeps you going during difficult times. Without it, you won’t be able to sustain your goals in the hard times. Being self-critical is also key. I always tell my trainees to question their own data and not assume they’re always right. This ideal unfortunately isn’t promoted enough in the field. Confidence is good, but overconfidence can lead to misinterpretation. We should always be open to reevaluating our conclusions.
Finally, you must be willing to work hard. Even if you have passion and humility, you won’t succeed without putting in the effort. We are experimentalists. I tell students in the lab that I want to see them working on the bench. We are not theoretical testers, we have to do experiments to collect and analyze data. This is the advice I give to my trainees that I want to share with everyone, but it might apply to every field.
Interviewer: Julia Martin, UF Undergraduate
Interview with Liang Zhou, M.D., Ph.D.
Transcribed: 5/5/2025
