We are a team of passionate biologists and bioinformaticians driving progress in cancer research by combining our expertise in cell and molecular biology, immunology, bioinformatics, and translational science. Together, we are uncovering new insights into cancer and its interaction with the immune system to drive transformative new therapies that enhance patient care.
Gregory J. Baker, PhD, PharmD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Baker established his laboratory at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute in 2025 to focus on early brain cancer detection and interception. He completed postdoctoral training in computational and systems biology with Peter Sorger at Harvard Medical School in 2021 where he developed software programs for biomedical research. Before that, Dr. Baker earned his PhD in translational brain tumor immunology with Pedro Lowenstein and Maria Castro at UCLA in 2014. He also holds a Doctorate in Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of Rhode Island, which he received in 2007. In his free time, Dr. Baker enjoys playing electric guitar and writing and listening to music.
Ian McLean, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr. McLean is a postdoctoral fellow in the Baker laboratory at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. He earned his PhD in biomedical engineering with Laura Heiser at OHSU in 2025, where he led integrative systems biology projects investigating epithelial cell responses to microenvironmental cues using single-cell genomics, high-throughput imaging, and machine learning. Dr. McLean holds an MS and BS in biomedical engineering from Colorado State University and Washington State University, respectively, and is broadly interested in applying systems biology approaches to understanding signaling pathways that drive cancer behavior. Outside the lab, he enjoys exploring the mountains of the Pacific Northwest.
Dong Zhang, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
Dr. Zhang co-manages the Baker and Mills laboratories at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. In addition to overseeing wet lab operations, including inventory control, equipment maintenance, EHS compliance, and adherence to institutional regulatory standards, Dr. Zhang also conducts preclinical research employing mouse models of brain, breast, and ovarian cancers.
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