Brian Ji is an MD/PhD student in the laboratory of Dennis Vitkup. His primary research interest is to develop computational models and tools to study cancer metabolism at a global scale. In particular, he is interested in the question of how different cancer cells are similar and different in their ability to generate the energy and biomass necessary for rapid growth. He is also broadly interested in both bacterial metabolism and the ecological dynamics of bacteria in the human gut microbiome as they pertain to human health and disease. 

Brian completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he employed mathematical modeling to study impaired brain connectivity in epilepsy. In recognition of this work he received the presitigous Barry Goldwater Scholarship.