Dr. Shanshan Cai trained as an immunologist, with a Master‘s and PhD focused on infection immunology. In her final year of PhD, she made a decision that seemed unconventional at the time — she transitioned into AI and computational biology. She credits this cross‑disciplinary move to her two PhD supervisors: “They made me believe that an immunologist could also write good code and ask different kinds of questions.”
Today, her research focuses on immune regulation, tumour microenvironment, and AI‑driven drug safety evaluation, bridging multi‑omics and computational biology with clinically actionable solutions. She is also a shareholder in several tech and biotech companies, seeking meaningful connections between academia and industry.
Outside the lab, Dr. Cai doesn’t quite fit the “stereotypical academic” mould. She enjoys dyeing her hair in bold colours and has several tattoos – none of which, she insists, affects her rigour or dedication to science. Those who know her well describe her as a genuinely kind person – sometimes too kind, as she finds it hard to say no to others, often taking on more than she probably should. She also has a deep love for animals, which unexpectedly led her to earn an additional degree in Veterinary Science. Though she ultimately chose not to pursue veterinary practice, that training gave her a warmer, more holistic perspective on life sciences.
At Cai Lab, she strives to foster an equal, open, and inclusive environment – you can come to the lab with brightly coloured hair, share stories about your pets during group meetings, or pitch any wild idea you have. She firmly believes that great science doesn‘t require a one‑size‑fits‑all “template”, and that interesting souls and solid research are never mutually exclusive.
