Prof. Chia-Rui Shen received her B.Sc. from National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan and her Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Bristol, United Kingdom. After completing her postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute of Biomedical Science, Academia Sinica, she joined the Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science at Chang Gung University. Prof. Shen is currently a Professor in the department, and she also serves as Chair of the IACUC committee as well as an Associate Dean in Academic Affairs at Chang Gung University. Prof. Shen’s research focuses on immune-related disease diagnostics and treatments. She delves into the roles of immune cells and molecules to develop innovative diagnostics and therapeutic approaches for conditions such as allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, autoimmune uveitis, and cancers. Her work spans an extensive spectrum of diseases. Additionally, Prof. Shen is deeply involved in gene, protein (peptide) and cell therapy. Her research aims to modulate the overreaction of immune cells and inflammation to devise effective treatments. Another key area of her work includes molecular imaging, where she has developed advanced imaging agents and technologies to track and monitor cell therapies, thereby enhancing our understanding of their therapeutic impact and underline mechanisms.

Our laboratory is dedicated to fundamental immunology and its translational applications, with a strong emphasis on understanding immune regulation and transforming mechanistic insights into practical diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. We study how immune cells, cytokines, and immune receptors interact in the contexts of inflammatory diseases, autoimmunity, cancer, and immune-related metabolic disorders, while actively developing immune-based technologies for clinical and industrial application.

The laboratory is led by one Principal Investigator (PI) and supported by a stable and experienced research team. At the core of our daily operations are two highly senior research assistants (RAs) who provide strong technical leadership, ensure experimental continuity, and play a critical role in training junior members. In addition, the lab currently hosts one postdoctoral researcher, who contributes to advanced experimental design, data integration, and mentoring of graduate students, particularly in immunological assays and translational research projects.

Our graduate training pipeline is dynamic and steadily growing. At present, the laboratory includes four PhD students, two of whom are expected to complete their degrees within the next six months. In the upcoming spring semester, two additional PhD students will join the lab. Looking ahead, one current master’s student and one undergraduate student have already committed to entering the PhD program in the fall semester, reflecting strong internal continuity and student development within the laboratory.

At the master’s level, the lab currently hosts three second-year master’s students and two first-year master’s students, all actively engaged in immune-related research projects. In parallel, we mentor eight to nine undergraduate research students, who participate in project-based training and thesis research. Among them, four students have already successfully completed and defended their undergraduate theses, demonstrating the lab’s commitment to structured training and research outcomes at the undergraduate level.

Beyond personnel numbers, what truly defines our laboratory is its positive and collaborative atmosphere. We place strong value on open communication, regular discussion, and mutual respect. Group meetings and one-on-one discussions are conducted in a supportive and engaging manner, encouraging students to ask questions, think critically, and develop scientific independence. This environment has proven particularly effective in nurturing students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds.

From a research infrastructure perspective, the laboratory is equipped with advanced and well-maintained instrumentation, enabling a wide range of immunological, molecular, and cellular experiments. These capabilities are further strengthened through close collaborations with clinical physicians at affiliated hospitals and industrial partners, allowing us to validate experimental findings in clinically relevant settings and explore translational and commercialization opportunities.

Overall, our laboratory functions as an integrated platform for immunology-driven discovery, interdisciplinary training, and translational innovation. By combining strong foundational research, a supportive team structure, and active clinical and industry collaboration, we strive to create an environment where both scientific ideas and young researchers can thrive.