Zheheng Fan

I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree from University College London in 2025 and am currently pursuing a master’s in integrated Immunology at the University of Oxford. My research interests centre on how cellular interactions shape tissue function, particularly within the immune system and in disease contexts. For my undergraduate project, I investigated metabolic communication between germline and somatic cells in the Drosophila testis, focusing on identifying the monocarboxylate transporter involved in metabolite exchange. This work introduced me to the importance of cell-cell interactions in maintaining tissue homeostasis.

My current research focuses on the role of tumour-infiltrating B cells and tertiary lymphoid structures in colorectal cancer, an area that remains underexplored compared to T cell-mediated immunity. Emerging evidence suggests that B cells contribute to anti-tumour responses, particularly in patients with favourable outcomes following immunotherapy. My project aims to characterise the binding specificity and affinity of tumour-derived antibodies and to evaluate their capacity to mediate anti-tumour responses. It will improve our understanding of how humoral immunity contributes to tumour control, complements T cell-mediated responses, and sheds light on new strategies of immunotherapies.