Jianyi “Jay” Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., professor and T. Michael and Gillian Goodrich Endowed Chair of Engineering Leadership, has been appointed to the rank of Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine.
“I am truly honored and thrilled to be named Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering,” said Zhang. “This recognition reflects not only my work, but also the dedication and extraordinary contributions of the students, postdoctoral fellows, staff, collaborators, and colleagues who have been part of the Zhang Lab over the years.”
Zhang, who has served as chair of a joint department of the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and the UAB School of Engineering for over a decade, is an internationally recognized physician-scientist, engineer, and pioneer in cardiovascular regenerative medicine, cardiac tissue engineering, and stem cell-based therapies for heart failure.
After earning his M.D. from Shanghai Medical University and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, Zhang obtained a Master of Science in Engineering and a Certificate in Business Administration from Tufts University. He later completed postdoctoral training in the University of Minnesota's Division of Cardiovascular Medicine.
Since joining UAB in 2015, Zhang has received numerous international honors, including the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Heart Research, North American Section. He has authored more than 230 peer-reviewed publications, led major translational research initiatives, and mentored more than 90 trainees. His large-animal studies have advanced understanding of the regenerative potential of neonatal porcine hearts and helped identify innovative therapeutic strategies for cardiac repair. Zhang laboratory has maintained continuous NIH funding support for more than three decades. Zhang has led major translational research initiatives, including multiple R01 awards, an NIH Program Project Grant, and a U01 through the NHLBI Progenitor Cell Translational Consortium.
In addition to these accomplishments, Zhang is a Fellow of the American Heart Association and serves on the editorial boards of the leading cardiovascular journals Circulation and Circulation Research.
Zhang’s impact extends beyond his scientific accomplishments. His dedication to mentorship has influenced trainees, many of whom now hold leadership positions in academia, medicine, and industry.
Recognizing their contributions, Zhang said, “Their passion, talent, and countless days and nights of hard work have been instrumental in establishing the Zhang Lab as an internationally recognized leader in cardiovascular regenerative medicine and biomedical engineering. I share this honor with all of them and am deeply grateful for their commitment and support.”