Fei earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Science from East Tennessee State University in 2020 under the mentorship of Dr. Chuan Li. His doctoral research focused on investigating the role of an endothelial-specific protein, Heat Shock Protein A12B (HSPA12B), in septic conditions using both in vitro cell models and in vivo mouse models. His work demonstrated that HSPA12B can be released from endothelial cells via exosomes, taken up by macrophages, and regulate macrophage inflammatory responses—mechanisms critical to the development of multiple organ dysfunction in sepsis.

Following graduation, Fei expanded his research interests to encompass cancer biology and immunology, enabling him to grow as a multidisciplinary scientist. He has developed strong wet-lab expertise in cell biology, molecule biology, immunological biology, and cancer biology. His dry-lab skills include single-cell RNA sequencing data analysis.

In June 2025, Fei joined Dr. Nacev’s lab as a research scientist, excited to embark on the next chapter of his scientific career.

Outside the lab, Fei enjoys cooking and explores cuisines from around the world in the Pittsburgh area and beyond. As a husband and father of two, he cherishes family time—whether it’s engaging in indoor activities or enjoying the outdoors together.