The Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) has more than 120 members from across the Illinois campus. Given the great variety in backgrounds, research disciplines, and experiences of our members, we offer our Q&A series “Get to Know a Cancer Researcher” to provide readers a connection with the amazing array of individuals who comprise the CCIL’s robust cancer research team. This is the third installment.
CCIL Member: Ling-Jian Meng
CCIL Research Program: Cancer Technology and Data Science
CCIL Research Theme: Cancer Imaging
Faculty Position: Professor, Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
What originally drew you to cancer research?
To me, cancer research is one of the most direct ways to see advances in science and engineering improve the health and well-being of human society.
What cancer problems are you seeking to address in your lab?
Brain cancer, prostate cancer, and image-guided intervention for cancer.
What keeps you going in your research? How do you recharge?
Our work has been generously supported by the NIH and other federal agencies.
What are fun or quirky facts about you that others may not know?
I am probably one of the very few researchers on the Illinois campus working in radiology, and more specifically, nuclear medicine.
Can you tell us a favorite film or book of yours?
Dune, by Frank Herbert.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, and why?
My lab has developed many advanced nuclear imaging systems that are currently in use at leading clinical centers for both preclinical and clinical research.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received, and how has it shaped your research career?
“As a basic science researcher, the key to establishing meaningful collaborations with clinical scientists is to be able to speak their language and understand the fundamental needs of the clinical applications.”
Stay tuned for more weekly installments in our “Get to Know a Cancer Researcher” series.
Editor’s notes:
Ling-Jian Meng can be reached at ljmeng@illinois.edu.
This story was written by Jonathan King, CCIL Communications Specialist.