Huiqing (Jo) Zhou’s current research aim is to unravel molecular underpinnings of stem cells and their pivotal role in development and disease, using cutting-edge systems biology technologies. Zhou envisions that our fundamental insights of stem cells and pioneering technologies offer tremendous potential in advancing regenerative medicine and improving patient care. As such, her ongoing and future research aims to further investigate mechanisms underlain proper stem cell functions, with emphasis on their applications in disease modelling, cell therapy development and other treatment strategies. This research bridges the gap between fundamental stem cell biology and translational applications.
I am passionate about fundamental mechanisms - my research on mapping the molecular topology controlling stem cell function offers immense potential for future applications of stem cells in regenerative medicine.
About Huiqing (Jo) Zhou
Prof. dr. Huiqing (Jo) Zhou (1970, Shanghai, China) began her academic career at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where she obtained a master’s degree in 1998. She remained at this university to pursue a PhD, which she completed in 2002 with her PhD thesis, “Transcriptional activation by Ewing Sarcoma Oncogene (EWS).”
After obtaining her PhD, Zhou joined the Molecular Biology Department at Radboud University as a postdoctoral fellow, continuing her research interests in the fundamental understanding of transcription regulation. Later she joined the Human Genetics Department at the Radboudumc to lead functional studies on human disease related transcription factors by applying novel epigenomics technologies at that time. There, she developed her own research line to study stem cell (dys)function by using patient-derived stem cell models. Zhou is now acting head of the Molecular Developmental Biology department and still holds her secondary position in Human Genetics at the Radboudumc.
Throughout her career, Zhou received various grants, such as the Top Grant as coordinator of the ZonMw Open consortium (2021-2026), grants from the Health Holland PPP program (Human Measurement Models 2020-2024), and International Kickstarter 2023), as well as a research grant from MSCA Doctoral Networks (2025). Additionally, Zhou is chair of the Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee at the Faculty of Science.