Hong‑Gang Wang, Ph.D.

Research Focus

Dr. Hong‑Gang “H.G.” Wang’s lab investigates critical mechanisms of apoptosis (“self-killing”) and autophagy (“self-eating”)—two vital cellular processes that influence tumor development, survival, and resistance. His work spans the fundamental biology of programmed cell death and the development of innovative anti-cancer therapies.

With a career beginning at Moffitt Cancer Center and progressing to Penn State (2008), Dr. Wang leverages extensive experience to translate laboratory discoveries into therapeutic strategies for pediatric cancers.

Most Recent Publications

• Bui, V., Liang, X., Ye, Y., Giang, W., Tian, F., Takahashi, Y., & Wang, H. G. (2025). Blocking autophagosome closure manifests the roles of mammalian Atg8-family proteins in phagophore formation and expansion during nutrient starvation. Autophagy, 21(5), 1059-1074. https://doi.org/10.1080/15548627.2024.2443300
• Fundora, K. A., Zhuang, Y., Hamamoto, K., Wang, G., Chen, L., Hattori, T., Liang, X., Bao, L., Vangala, V., Tian, F., Takahashi, Y., & Wang, H. G. (2025). DBeQ derivative targets vacuolar protein sorting 4 functions in cancer cells and suppresses tumor growth in mice. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 392(4), Article 103524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpet.2025.103524
• Kim, S. Y., Tang, M., Chih, S. Y., Sallavanti, J., Gao, Y., Qiu, Z., Wang, H. G., & Li, W. (2025). Involvement of p38 MAPK and MAPKAPK2 in promoting cell death and the inflammatory response to ischemic stress associated with necrotic glioblastoma. Cell Death and Disease, 16(1), Article 12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-025-07335-3
• Hamamoto, K., Liang, X., Opozda, D. M., Wang, H. G., & Takahashi, Y. (2025). Physiological insights into ESCRT-mediated phagophore closure: potential cytoprotective roles for ATG8ylated membranes. Autophagy, 21(6), 1387-1389. https://doi.org/10.1080/15548627.2025.2468907

Impact Statement

Dr. Wang’s research—supported in part by Four Diamonds—drives forward our understanding of pediatric cancer biology and opens the door for improved, targeted therapies to give children not only hope, but survival and quality of life.