Dr. Shijun Zheng is a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology in the college of Veterinary Medicine at China Agricultural University. He completed his PhD in the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2000. He then worked as a post-doctor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (2000-2005). His work focused on mechanism of autoimmune diseases, T cell development and microbial pathogenesis. He then returned to China as a full Professor of Microbiology and Immunology in the College of Veterinary Medicine and as a Principal Investigator in the State Key Laboratory of Agro-biotechnology, China Agricultural University. Dr. Zheng's research interest is primarily focused on the pathogenesis of microbial infection. He has made important contributions to the understandings of the molecular mechanism underlying IBDV and ARV-induced apoptosis in the host cells. He has also applied the knowledge gained from his basic research and expertise in molecular biology and immunology to study the persistent infection or immunosuppression of some microbial infections. The long-term objective of his studies is to provide a platform for rational design of effective vaccines to control infectious diseases of animals.