Can (Martin) Zhang, M.D.,Ph.D.

After graduation from medical school at Weifang Medical College, Dr. Can (Martin) Zhang has spent the past 10 years focusing on the mechanistic causes of Alzheimer’s disease. After receiving his M.D., Martin pursued his Ph.D. training at Drexel University with Dr. Aleister Saunders from 2002 to 2007. Martin then conducted a post-doctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Rudy Tanzi in the Genetics and Aging Research Unit at the Department of Neurology of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Harvard Medical School (HMS). Since 2010, Martin has been an instructor of Neurology with Dr. Rudy Tanzi, and he became an Assistant Professor of Neurology at MGH and HMS in 2013. Martin's research at Drexel and MGH has elucidated novel molecular events that play essential roles in the etiology and pathogenesis of Alzheimer's. He is presently working on further characterizing these biological events, as well as translating these results toward the identification of effective interventions and therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease, primarily focusing on gamma secretase modulators and analogs of natural compounds. In addition to investigation, Martin provides substantial ancillary contributions in teaching and community service. He has trained many students for their individual projects and inspired most of them to move onto doctoral training or stay in the research field.