Dr. Qiao received his Ph.D. training in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UCLA in the laboratory of Prof. Jim Bowie, Dr. Qiao conducted a series of pioneering work in cell signaling, resulting in three novel mechanisms describing the coupling of signal transduction and gene transcription. Then, Dr. Qiao joined Prof. Tom Cech (1989 Nobel Chemistry laureate) lab at Howard Hughes Medical Institute/University of Colorado-Boulder to learn RNA and telomere biology with emphasis in the structure-function of telomerase RNA subunit.
Since becoming an independent PI, Dr. Qiao’s lab has being pioneering the structure-function relationship of macromolecular complexes involved in telomere length regulation and how their dysfunction leads to cancer and premature aging diseases. Dr. Qiao was awarded March of Dimes Scholar and Research Scholar from American Cancer Society.