Because of my certification in Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics (MGG) and Laboratory Genetics and Genomics (LGG) by the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG), I am most interested in research, development, and validation studies of molecular, genetics and genomics biomarkers to improve diagnosis and management of human diseases. I’m also interested in BRAF-MEK-ERK and p16-CDK4/6-RB pathways in cancer biology and as therapeutic targets in melanoma and other cancers.

2014	2013-2014 Best Clinical Pathology Faculty Award, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
Aug. 2015	Guest, Academic Procession and Ceremonies, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, School of Health Professions, UTMB
2013	2012–2013 Best Clinical Pathology Faculty Award, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
2009	Fellow, American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG)
2006-2010	Research Award, Harry J. Lloyd Charitable Trust
2005-2008	New Investigator Award, Cancer and Leukemia Group B Foundation
2005-2008	Bill Walter III Melanoma Research Fund Award, Melanoma Research Foundation
1992-1993	Connaught Scholarship, Canada
1992	Honorable Mention, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Canada
1992	Third Prize in Research, Toronto General Hospital, Canada
1991-1992	Open Fellowships, University of Toronto, Canada

• Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP)
• American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG)
• American Society of Human Genetics and Genomics (ASHG)

1. Dong, J.; Asa, S.L.; Drucker, D.J. Islet cell and extrapancreatic expression of the LIM domain homeobox gene isl-1. Mol. Endocrinol. 5: 1633-1641; 1991.
2. Dong, J.; Strome, R.; Hung, L.H.; Krause, H.M. A phosphorylation site in the Ftz homeodomain is required for activity. EMBO J. 17: 2308-2318; 1998.
3. Dong, J.; Gailani, M.R.; Pomeroy, S.L.; Reardon, D.; Bale, A.E. Identification of PATCHED mutations in medulloblastomas by direct sequencing. Hum. Mutat. 16: 89-90; 2000.
4. Dong, J.; Katz, D.R.; Eng, C.M.; Kornreich, R.; Desnick, R.J. Non-radioactive detection of the common Connexin 26 167delT and 35delG mutations and frequencies among Ashkenazi Jews. Mol. Genet. Metab. 73: 160-163; 2001.
5. Dong, J.; Edelman, L.; Bajwa, A.M.; Kornreich, R.; Desnick, R.J. Familial dysautonomia: detection of the IKAPIVS20+6T®C and R696P mutations and frequencies among Ashkenazi Jews. Am. J. Med. Genet. 110: 253-257; 2002.
6. Dong, J.; Phelps, R.G.; Qiao, R.; Yao, S.; Benard, O.; Ronai, Z.; Aaronson, S.A. BRAF oncogenic mutations correlate with progression rather than initiation of human melanoma. Cancer Res. 63: 3883-3885; 2003.
7. Manfredi, J.J.; Dong, J.; Liu, W.J.; Resnick-Silverman, L.; Qiao, R.; Chahinian, P.; Saric, M.; Gibbs, A.R.; Phillips, J.I.; Murray, J.; Axten, C.W.; Nolan, R.P.; Aaronson, S.A. Evidence against a role for SV40 in human mesothelioma. Cancer Res. 65: 2602-2609; 2005.
8. Rotolo, S.; Diotti, R.; Gordon, R.E.; Qiao, R.F.; Phelps, R.G.; Dong, J. Effects on proliferation and melanogenesis by inhibition of mutant BRAF and expression of wild-type INK4A in melanoma cells. Int. J. Cancer 115: 164-169; 2005.
9. Dong, J.; Olano, J.P.; McBride, J.W.; Walker, D.H. Emerging pathogens: challenges and successes of molecular diagnostics. Journal of Molecular Diagnostics 10: 185-197; 2008.
10. Zhao, Y.; Zhang, Y.; Yang, Z.; Li, A.; Dong, J. Simultaneous knockdown of BRAF and expression of INK4A in melanoma cells leads to potent growth inhibition and apoptosis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 370: 509-13; 2008.
11. Wang, Z.; Dong, J.; Eyzaguirre, E.J.; Tang, W.W.; Eltorky, M.A.; Qiu, S. Detection of human papilloma virus subtype 16 and P16 ink4a in invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the fallopian tube and concomitant squamous cell carcinoma in-situ of the cervix. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. 35: 385-389, 2009.
12. Li, J.; Xu, M.; Yang, Z.; Li, A.; Dong, J. Simultaneous inhibition of MEK and CDK4 leads to potent apoptosis in human melanoma cells. Cancer Investigation. 28:350-6, 2010.
13. Bechert, C.J.; Payne, D.; Schnadig, V.; Dong, J. BK associated nephropathy in renal transplant patients. American Journal of Clinical Pathology, 133:242-250, 2010.
14. Li, Z.; Sheng, T.; Wan, X.; Li, T.; Wu, H.; Dong, J. Expression of HERV-K correlates with status of MEK-ERK and p16INK4A-CDK4 pathways in melanoma cells. Cancer Investigation, 28:1031-7, 2010.
15. Schlosshauer, P.W.; Deligdisch, L.; Penault-Llorca, F.; Fatemi, D.; Qiao, R.; Hao, S.; Yang, Z.; Sheng, T.; Pearl, M.; Dong, J. Loss of p16INK4A expression in low grade ovarian serous carcinomas. Int J Gynecol Pathol, 30:22-9, 2011.
16. Fraase, K.; Hart, J.; Wu, H.; Ma, L.; Grant, F.; Li, A.; Lennon, A.; Hu, P.; Dong, J. BK virus as a potential co-factor for HPV in the development of cervical neoplasia. Ann Clin Lab Sci. 42 (2): 130-134; 2012.
17. Desqueda, D.; Xu, F.; Moore, Y.; Yang, Z.; Huang, G.; Hu, P.C.; Dong, J. Lack of correlation between HERV-K expression and HIV-1 viral load in plasma specimens. Ann Clin Lab Sci. 43 (2): 122-125; 2013.
18. Huang, G.; Li Z.; Wan, X.; Wang, Y.; Dong, J. Human HERV-K encodes fusogenic activity in melanoma cells. J Carcinog. 12:5; 2013. Featured in Global Medical Discovery [ISSN 1929-8536] (http://globalmedicaldiscovery.com).
19. Wu, H.; Huang, G.; Romay-penabad, Z.; Pierangeli, S.; Dong, J. Do we need to worry about contamination by circulating fetal DNA? Clin Chem Lab Med. 52(5):e75-7; 2014.
20. Huang, G.; Krocker, J.D.; Kirk, J.L.; Wieck, L.R.; Merwat, S.N.; Soloway, R.D.; Ju, H.; Li, A.; Okorodudu, A.O.; Petersen, J.R.; Abdulla, N.E.; Duchini A.; Cicalese, L.; Rastellini, C.; Hu, P.C.; Dong, J. Evaluation of INK4A promoter methylation using pyrosequencing and circulating cell-free DNA from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Chem Lab Med. 52(6):899-909; 2014.

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