Jian Chen

Jian Chen has extensive experience in the field of translational research and preclinical development. Starting in 1990, Chen worked as a clinician specializing in surgical oncology at Tianjin Medical University Hospital. During this time, Chen conducted clinical studies on the involvement of gastroesophageal reflux diseases and esophageal cancer. Chen also completed a clinical residency, fellowship, and internship at the hospital.

In 1997, Chen worked as a Clinical Visiting Scholar at Hokkaido University in Japan, where they studied and practiced thoracoscopic surgery for lung and esophageal cancer therapies.

Chen then transitioned to the role of Head of Research and Development at Katsuri, Inc. in 2000. In this position, Chen developed bioactive substances derived from natural resources and managed the research and development department.

Starting in 2003, Chen served as the Director of Institute at Oncorex Therapeutics, Inc. During this time, Chen developed new small molecular inhibitors for oncogene Pim-1 in solid tumors and targeted hypoxia-inducible oncogenic protein Pim-1.

Chen continued their research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where they held various positions from 2006 to 2017. As a Senior Research Scientist, Chen dissected the role of TGF-β signaling in liver cancer and trained laboratory researchers. Chen also served as an Assistant Professor and Pinnacle Award Scholar Fellow of AASLD, focusing on targeted TGF-β tumor suppression function in liver cancer and combination immunotherapeutic strategies.

In 2020, Chen joined Sandhill Therapeutics, Inc. as the Director of Translational Research. In this role, Chen set up an immune cell-based cell culture and molecular biology laboratory and managed research and development projects.

Chen also worked as a Scientific Consultant at post-IPO Pharmaceuticals in 2021. In this role, Chen participated in diligence efforts for a business development team, focused on small molecular inhibitors, and assisted in writing diligence reports.

Currently, Chen holds the position of Director of Translational Research and Preclinical Development at BioAtla, Inc. As the lead of the anti-senescence/aging program, Chen oversees and designs senescence studies, identifies novel senescence-specific surface antigens, and contributes to the development of new therapies.

Jian Chen has studied Molecular Cancer Biology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. They have also earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Cancer Pathology from Hokkaido University. Additionally, Jian holds a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree in Medicine from Tianjin Medical University in Tianjin, China.