Cong-Qiu Chu, M.D., Ph.D., is a professor of medicine at Oregon Health and Science University and VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA. Dr. Chu obtained his M.D. from Normal Bethune University of Medical Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, China, and Ph.D. from the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of London, London, UK; completed his internal medicine residency at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, and Wayne State University Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI; and a rheumatology fellowship at the University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Dr. Chu has a career-long interest in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). His seminal observation that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is overexpressed in RA joint tissue helped the development of TNF inhibitors for therapy of RA. Dr. Chu’s current research includes developing novel therapeutic strategies using mRNA vaccines to target fibroblasts for a novel therapy for RA. Dr. Chu’s contributions to science have been recognized by the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology Young Investigator Award and the US Department of Veterans Affairs Biomedical Laboratory R&D Clinician Scientist Investigator Award.

Dr. Quan is a research professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, MI, USA. He earned his M.D. from Norman Bethune University of Medical Science in Changchun, China (1983) and his Ph.D. from Akita University School of Medicine in Japan (1991). Subsequently, Dr. Quan completed postdoctoral training at Wayne State University (Detroit, MI, USA) and the University of Michigan (1992–1997). Dr. Quan's research primarily focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of skin aging and age-related diseases, with particular emphasis on matrix biology, cell-matrix interactions, and the tumor microenvironment associated with aging. His work involves using mouse models to investigate dermal aging, skin cancer, and scar formation. Dr. Quan's research mainly explores ECM regulation, focusing on TGF-ß/Smad signaling, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and Yap/Taz proteins. Dr. Quan and his team have published numerous peer-reviewed papers and books, and he also serves as an editor. Under his leadership, the lab has successfully secured multiple NIH RO1 grants with Dr. Quan as the principal investigator.