Naisi Zhao, DrPH

Professional Background

I am an epidemiologist and data scientist with a background in public health and precision medicine. My current research integrates microbiome science, cancer epidemiology, and molecular biomarkers to understand how diet, the gut microbiome, and epigenetic regulation influence chronic disease development, particularly obesity-related cancers. Trained as a public health practitioner, I bridge population-based research with mechanistic omics science to develop prevention strategies that are both biologically grounded and socially responsive.

• BA, Economics, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
• MHS, Health Economics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
• DrPH, Public Health, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
• Post Doctoral Fellowship, Cancer Epidemiology , Tufts University School of Medicine, Brighton, MA

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Research

Overview

My current research focuses on developing and applying multi-omics and statistical frameworks to elucidate the biological mechanisms linking diet, metabolism, and cancer risk. A major component of my work involves advancing the guild-based microbiome analytics, an approach that identifies stable, functionally coherent microbial groups predictive of health outcomes. In parallel, I study DNA methylation-derived immune profiles to understand how systemic inflammation mediates disease susceptibility. I also integrate advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence models for precision risk assessment, enabling individualized prediction of disease risk and response to interventions. By combining these complementary perspectives, my goal is to create precision-guided prevention strategies and biomarker-driven interventions that can be implemented in real-world community and clinical settings.

• Obesity-related Methylation markers for obesity-related cancers, NIH NCI, PI
• Using DNA methylation array data to improve risk stratification and identification of lung cancers in the National Lung Screening Trial, NIH NCI, Co-I

• Wu Guojun, Xu Ting, Zhao Naisi, Lam YanY., Ding Xiaoying, Wei Dongqin, Fan Jian, Shi Yajuan, Li Xiaofeng, Li Mi, Ji Shenjie, Wang Xuejiao, Fu Huaqing, Zhang Feng, Shi Yu, Zhang Chenhong, Peng Yongde, Zhao Liping. 2024. A core microbiome signature as an indicator of health. Cell, 187 (23), 6550-6565.e11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2024.09.019
• Derosa Lisa, Iebba Valerio, Silva CarolinaAlves, Piccinno Gianmarco, Wu Guojun, Lordello Leonardo, Routy Bertrand, Zhao Naisi, Thelemaque Cassandra, Birebent Roxanne, Marmorino Federica, Fidelle Marine, Messaoudene Meriem, Thomas AndrewMaltez, Zalcman Gerard, Friard Sylvie, Mazieres Julien, Audigier-Valette Clarisse, Sibilot DenisMoro-, Goldwasser François, Scherpereel Arnaud, Pegliasco Hervé, Ghiringhelli François, Bouchard Nicole, Sow Cissé, Darik Ines, Zoppi Silvia, Ly Pierre, Reni Anna, Daillère Romain, Deutsch Eric, Lee KarlaA., Bolte LauraA., Björk JohannesR., Weersma RinseK., Barlesi Fabrice, Padilha Lucas, Finzel Ana, Isaksen MortenL., Escudier Bernard, Albiges Laurence, Planchard David, André Fabrice, Cremolini Chiara, Martinez Stéphanie, Besse Benjamin, Zhao Liping, Segata Nicola, Wojcik Jérôme, Kroemer Guido, Zitvogel Laurence. 2024. Custom scoring based on ecological topology of gut microbiota associated with cancer immunotherapy outcome. Cell, 187 (13), 3373-3389.e16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.029
• Zhao Naisi, Teles Flavia, Lu Jiayun, Koestler DevinC., Beck James, Boerwinkle Eric, Bressler Jan, Kelsey KarlT., Platz ElizabethA., Michaud DominiqueS.. 2023. Epigenome‐wide association study using peripheral blood leukocytes identifies genomic regions associated with periodontal disease and edentulism in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 50 (9), 1140-1153. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13852
• Wu Guojun, Zhao Naisi, Zhang Chenhong, Lam YanY., Zhao Liping. 2021. Guild-based analysis for understanding gut microbiome in human health and diseases. Genome Medicine, 13 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13073-021-00840-y