Zhikai Chi, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Chi grew up in Beijing China. He attended undergraduate study at Peking University and medical school at Peking Union Medical College. He later joined Drs. Valina and Ted Dawson’s laboratory at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he studied the molecular mechanisms of neuroprotection and neurodevelopment. His Ph.D. works were published in high-profile journals including Cell, Development Cell, Cell reports, Nature Medicine, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Chi subsequently trained in anatomic and clinical pathology residency at Indiana University School of Medicine, and gastrointestinal and liver pathology fellowship at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. He joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor at UTSW in July 2018.

Dr. Chi’s current research interests include clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular characterization of gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and liver neoplasm as well as inflammatory diseases. He also actively engages in collaborative research projects with basic scientists interested in gastrointestinal and pancreatic diseases. Dr. Chi currently serves as co-investigators for multiple NIH funded studies and always looks forward to more collaborating opportunities.

Other Post Graduate Training

John Hopkins University School of Medicine

Medical School

Peking Union Medical College (2003)

Graduate School

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2009)

Fellowship

Johns Hopkins Hospital (2013), Post Doctoral

Residency

Indiana University School of Medicine (2017), Pathology

Fellowship

Cedars Sinai Medical Center (2018), Gastrointestinal & Liver Pathology

• Clinicopathologic characterization of gastrointestinal tract inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and microscopic colitis.
• Clinicopathologic characterization of gastrointestinal tract, liver, and pancreatic tumors, with a current emphasis on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Featured Publications

GATA3 positivity is associated with poor prognosis in patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Chi Z, Balani J, Gopal P, Hammer S, Xu J, Peng L, J Clin Pathol 2022 Jan

The Use of Intraoperative Frozen Sections in Guiding the Extent of Pancreatic Resections for Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms: A Single Institution Experience and Review of the Literature.

Chi Z, Dhall D, Mertens R, Pancreas 2022 Jan 51 1 63-74

Characterization of Desmoglein 3 (DSG3) as a Sensitive and Specific Marker for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Chi Z, Balani J, Gopal P, Hammer S, Lewis CM, Peng L, Gastroenterol Res Pract 2022 2022 2220940

Variations of P40 and P63 Immunostains in Different Grades of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Potential Diagnostic Pitfall.

Chi Z, Balani J, Gopal P, Peng L, Hammer S, Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2021 May

Increased Mast Cell Counts and Degranulation in Microscopic Colitis.

Chi Z, Xu J, Saxena R, Gastroenterol Res Pract 2020 2020 9089027

Mucinous intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a distinct variant.

Chi Z, Bhalla A, Saeed O, Cheng L, Curless K, Wang HL, Patil DT, Lin J Hum. Pathol. 2018 Apr

Multivisceral transplant is a viable treatment option for patients with non-resectable intra-abdominal fibromatosis.

Chi Z, Mangus RS, Kubal CA, Chen S, Lin J Clin Transplant 2018 Mar 32 3 e13186

Cytomorphological Features Useful to Prevent Errors in the Diagnosis of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma by Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology.

Chi Z, Wu HH, Cramer H, Lin J, Chen S Acta Cytol. 2017 61 1 7-16

Botch is a ?-glutamyl cyclotransferase that deglycinates and antagonizes Notch.

Chi Z, Byrne ST, Dolinko A, Harraz MM, Kim MS, Umanah G, Zhong J, Chen R, Zhang J, Xu J, Chen L, Pandey A, Dawson TM, Dawson VL Cell Rep 2014 May 7 3 681-8

Botch promotes neurogenesis by antagonizing Notch.

Chi Z, Zhang J, Tokunaga A, Harraz MM, Byrne ST, Dolinko A, Xu J, Blackshaw S, Gaiano N, Dawson TM, Dawson VL Dev. Cell 2012 Apr 22 4 707-20