Chien-Wei Peng

Program: Human and Statistical Genetics

Current advisor: Li Ding, PhD

Undergraduate university: Chang Gung University, 2012

Enrollment year: 2022

Research summary
I investigate the molecular and spatial mechanisms driving colorectal cancer metastasis, integrating single-cell and spatial multi-omics to understand how tumor and stromal interactions shape organ-specific colonization in the liver and lung.

My research focuses on understanding how colorectal cancer (CRC) cells adapt and thrive within distinct metastatic microenvironments. Using cutting-edge single-cell and spatial transcriptomic technologies, he profiles both tumor and stromal compartments across primary, liver, and lung metastases to uncover cell–cell communication networks, stromal remodeling, and immune contexture differences that determine metastatic success. His integrative analysis links transcriptional plasticity with organ-specific microenvironmental cues, revealing candidate pathways and cellular programs that promote tumor seeding and outgrowth. This work aims to define spatially resolved, metastasis-competent tumor programs and microenvironmental dependencies that can inform the development of more precise anti-metastatic therapies.

Graduate publications