Xiang-Jin Meng

Meng grew up in Gaomi, Shandong Province, China.{{Cite journal|last=Viegas|first=Jennifer|date=2017-07-03|title=Profile of Xiang-Jin Meng|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|language=en|volume=114|issue=28|pages=7188–7190|doi=10.1073/pnas.1710342114|pmid=28673980 |pmc=5514775 |issn=0027-8424|doi-access=free|bibcode=2017PNAS..114.7188V }} He originally planned to pursue a career in chemical engineering, but instead he enrolled in Binzhou Medical College in 1980 as a medical student.

Receiving his medical degree in 1985, Meng studied at the Wuhan University College of Medicine (formerly Hubei Medical College) and earned a Master's degree in Microbiology and Immunology. There, he discovered his passion and curiosity for virology, under the supervision of his graduate advisor, Yu Sun, who is an experimental virologist and pathologist. Earning his Master's in 1988, Meng worked as a research fellow for three years at the Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences in Jinan.

In 1991, he was admitted to the interdepartmental Immunobiology graduate program at the Iowa State University. His PhD dissertation focused on an emerging virus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, in the laboratory of Prem S. Paul.{{Cite news|date=February 19, 2020|title=University Distinguished Professor of Molecular Virology X.J. Meng recognized by Iowa State University|work=Virginia Tech News|url=https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2020/02/vetmed-meng-iowastate-award.html}} After receiving his PhD in Immunobiology, he joined the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases as a John E. Fogarty Visiting Scientist and later as a Senior Staff Fellow in the labs of Suzanne U. Emerson and Robert H. Purcell at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at NIH in Bethesda, Maryland.

Meng joined the faculty at Virginia Tech in 1999 as an Assistant Professor of Molecular Virology, and rose to the rank of full professor in 2007.{{Cite news|date=Mar 12, 2008|title=Tech professor searches for hepatitis vaccine|work=Roanoke Times|url=https://www.roanoke.com/news/tech-professor-searches-for-hepatitis-vaccine/article_ba200c9f-00fc-50d2-afb3-71b44f073bdd.html|access-date=2020-06-08}} He was named a university distinguished professor in 2013. In July 2020, Meng was appointed as the founding director of the Virginia Tech Center for Emerging, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens (CeZAP).{{Cite web |title=Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens to tackle infectious diseases |url=https://news.vt.edu/content/news_vt_edu/en/articles/2020/07/07-17-20-Fralin-Life-Sci-Center-for-Infectious-Diseases.html |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=news.vt.edu |language=en}} From November 2021 to November 2022, Meng served as Interim Executive Director of the Fralin Life Sciences Institute at Virginia Tech.{{Cite web |title=X.J. Meng named interim executive director of the Fralin Life Sciences Institute |url=https://news.vt.edu/content/news_vt_edu/en/articles/2021/11/research-xj-meng-named-interim-fralin-life-sciences.html |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=news.vt.edu |language=en}}

His research mainly focuses on understanding the mechanism of virus replication and pathogenesis, defining the mechanisms of cross-species virus infection, and developing effective vaccines against emerging and zoonotic viruses. Meng's group discovered the swine hepatitis E virus from pigs and avian hepatitis E virus from chickens, which eventually lead to the recognition of human hepatitis E as a zoonotic disease. Meng's research also led to the invention of the first U.S. Department of Agriculture fully-license commercial vaccine, currently on the global market, against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and its associated diseases.{{Cite news|date=2006-07-18|title=Professor develops vaccine for pigs|work=USA Today|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/science/discoveries/2006-07-18-pig-vaccine_x.htm|access-date=2020-06-08}} Additionally, Meng works on a number of other important viruses including Hepatitis E virus, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus, Torque Teno Sus Virus, and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus.{{Cite web|title=Meng Laboratory|url=https://www.vetmed.vt.edu/research/labs/meng/|access-date=2020-06-08|website=Virginia Tech College of Veterinary Medicine (www.vetmed.vt.edu)}}{{Cite web|title=TWiV 285: Hokies go viral|url=http://www.microbe.tv/twiv/twiv-285-hokies-go-viral/|access-date=2020-06-08|website=This Week in Virology Podcast|date=December 2015 }}

Meng has authored and co-authored more than 362 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, which have been cited for more than 38,685 times with a h-index of 103. He is ranked in the top 1% highly cited scientists in the field of microbiology (1997–2007) by Thomson Scientific's Essential Science Indicators.{{Cite web|title=X.J. Meng|url=http://archive.sciencewatch.com/inter/aut/2008/08-jan/08janMeng/|access-date=2020-06-08|website=ScienceWatch - Tracking Trends & Performance in Basic Research}} Meng is an inventor of more than 20 U.S. patent awards on viral vaccines and diagnostics.{{Cite web|date=December 17, 2014|title=Veterinary college's X.J. Meng elected to the National Academy of Inventors|url=https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2014/12/121714-vetmed-mengnaifellow.html|access-date=2020-06-08|website=Virginia Tech}}

• 2024: Recipient, NIH MERIT Award.{{Cite web |title=X.J. Meng receives prestigious MERIT Award to study hepatitis E virus |url=https://news.vt.edu/articles/2024/09/vetmed-research-meng.html |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=news.vt.edu |language=en}}
• 2023: Virginia Tech Life Time Achievement Award for Innovation.{{Cite web |title=Innovating around complex problems |url=https://news.vt.edu/content/news_vt_edu/en/articles/2023/05/research-innovation-celebration-23.html |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=news.vt.edu |language=en}}
• 2022: Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
• 2021: Recipient, Charles Valentine Riley Memorial Lecturer Award. Presented by AAAS, World Food Prize and Riley Foundation.{{Cite web |title=2021 AAAS Charles Valentine Riley Memorial Lecture {{!}} American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) |url=https://www.aaas.org/events/2021-aaas-charles-valentine-riley-memorial-lecture |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=www.aaas.org |language=en}}
• 2018: [https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2020/02/vetmed-meng-iowastate-award.html The Inaugural Lorraine J. Hoffman Graduate Alumni Award], Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.{{Cite news|date=February 19, 2020|title=Virginia Tech Daily|work=Virginia Tech News|url=https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2020/02/vetmed-meng-iowastate-award.html|access-date=2020-06-08}}
• 2017: [https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2016/12/vetmed-mengschevaward.html State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) Outstanding Faculty Award].{{Cite web|title=Virginia Tech's X.J. Meng earns SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award|url=https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2016/12/vetmed-mengschevaward.html|access-date=2020-06-08|website=Virginia Tech News}}{{Cite web|date=Dec 16, 2016|title=State Council of Higher Education for Virginia|url=https://www.schev.edu/index/agency-info/media-center/news-releases/press-release-list/schev-news/2016/12/16/schev-and-dominion-announce-2017-recipients-of-outstanding-faculty-awards|access-date=2020-06-08}}
• 2016: Elected member of the National Academy of Sciences.{{Cite web|date=May 4, 2016|title=Virginia Tech's X.J. Meng elected to the National Academy of Sciences|url=https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2016/05/vetmed-mengnationalacademy.html|access-date=2020-06-08|website=Virginia Tech}}
• 2014: Elected Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.{{Cite web|date=Dec 16, 2014|title=National Academy of Inventors Names 170 New Fellows|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-academy-of-inventors-names-170-new-fellows-300010066.html|access-date=2020-06-08|website=National Academy of Inventors}}
• 2013: [https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2013/06/060413-vetmed-meng.html University Distinguished Professor title], a pre-eminent and life-time title bestowed by the university Board of Visitors.{{Cite web|date=June 4, 2013|title=Veterinary college's X.J. Meng honored as University Distinguished Professor|url=https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2013/06/060413-vetmed-meng.html|access-date=2020-06-08|website=Virginia Tech}}
• 2012: Elected Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology.{{Cite web|date=March 20, 2012|title=X.J. Meng elected to the American Academy of Microbiology|url=https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2012/03/032012-vetmed-mengfellowship.html|access-date=2020-06-08|website=Virginia Tech}}
• 2008: Recipient, Honorary Diplomat, American College of Veterinary Microbiologists.{{Cite web |title=X. J. Meng accorded Honorary Diplomate status in American College of Veterinary Microbiology |url=https://news.vt.edu/articles/2008/05/2008-349.html |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=news.vt.edu |language=en}}
• 2008: Recipient, 2008 Virginia Tech Alumni Award for Research Excellence.{{Cite web |title=X.J Meng receives Alumni Award for Research Excellence |url=https://news.vt.edu/articles/2008/12/2008-833.html |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=news.vt.edu |language=en}}
• 2001 and 2007: Recipient, Pfizer Award for Research Excellence.{{Cite web |title=X. J. Meng honored with Pfizer Award for Research Excellence |url=https://news.vt.edu/articles/2007/06/2007-338.html |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=news.vt.edu |language=en}}
• 1997: Recipient, NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence.
• 1996: Recipient, Iowa State University’s Zaffarano Prize for Graduate Student Research Excellence.

{{refbegin|30em}}

• Meng, X.J., P.S. Paul, and P.G. Halbur (1994). Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequencing of the 3' terminal genomic RNA of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Journal of General Virology 75:1795-1801. [https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/0022-1317-75-7-1795 DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-75-7-1795].
• Meng, X.J., R.H. Purcell, P.G. Halbur, J.R. Lehman, D.M. Webb, T.S. Tsareva, J.S. Haynes, B.J. Thacker, and S.U. Emerson (1997). A novel virus in swine is closely related to the human hepatitis E virus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 94:9860-9865. [https://www.pnas.org/content/94/18/9860 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.94.18.9860].
• Meng, X.J., P.G. Halbur, M. Shapiro, S. Govindarajan, J.D. Bruna, I. K. Mushahwar, R.H. Purcell, and S.U. Emerson (1998). Genetic and experimental evidence for cross-species infection by the swine hepatitis E virus. Journal of Virology. 72:9714-9721. [https://jvi.asm.org/content/72/12/9714.long DOI: 10.1128/JVI.72.12.9714-9721.1998].
• Fenaux M, T. Opriessnig, P.G. Halbur, F. Elvinger, and X.J. Meng (2004). A Chimeric Porcine Circovirus (PCV) with the Immunogenic Capsid Gene of the Pathogenic PCV2 Cloned Into the Genomic Backbone of the Non-Pathogenic PCV1 Induces Protective Immunity Against PCV2 Infection in Pigs. Journal of Virology. 78:6297-6303. [https://jvi.asm.org/content/78/12/6297 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.78.12.6297-6303.2004].
• Billam P., F.F. Huang, Z.F. Sun, F.W. Pierson, R.B. Duncan, F. Elvinger, D.K. Guenette, T.E. Toth, and X. J. Meng (2005). Systematic pathogenesis and replication of avian hepatitis E virus in specific-pathogen-free adult chickens. Journal of Virology. 79(6):3429-37. [https://jvi.asm.org/content/79/6/3429 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.79.6.3429-3437.2005].
• Huang YW, K.K. Harrall, B.A. Dryman, T. Opriessnig, E.M. Vaughn, M.B. Roof, and X.J. Meng. 2012. Serological profile of Torque teno sus virus species 1 (TTSuV1) in pigs and antigenic relationships between two TTSuV1 genotypes (1a and 1b), between two species (TTSuV1 and 2), and between porcine and human anelloviruses. Journal of Virology. 86(19):10628-10639. [https://jvi.asm.org/content/86/19/10628 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.00176-12].
• Huang YW, A.W. Dickerman, P. Pineyro, L. Li, L. Fang, R. Kiehne, T. Opriessnig, and X.J. Meng. 2013. Origin, evolution, and genotyping of emergent porcine endemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) strains in the United States. mBio. 4(5):e00737-13. [https://mbio.asm.org/content/4/5/e00737-13 doi:10.1128/mBio.00737-13].
• Cao D, Cao QM, Subramaniam S, Yugo DM, Heffron CL, Rogers AJ, Kenney SP, Tian D, Matzinger SR, Overend C, Catanzaro N, LeRoith T, Wang H, Piñeyro P, Lindstrom N, Clark-Deener S, Yuan L, and X.J. Meng. 2017. Pig model mimicking chronic hepatitis E virus infection in immunocompromised patients to assess immune correlates during chronicity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 114(27):6914-6923. [https://www.pnas.org/content/114/27/6914 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1705446114].
• Sooryanrain H, C.L. Heffron, and X.J. Meng. 2020. The U-rich untranslated regions (UTR) of the hepatitis E virus induces differential type I and type III interferon responses in a host cell-dependent manner. mBio. 11:e03103-19. [https://mbio.asm.org/content/11/1/e03103-19 https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.03103-19].

{{refend}}

{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Meng, Xiang-Jin}}

Category:Living people

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Members of the United States National Academy of Sciences

Category:Virginia Tech faculty

Category:Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors

Category:Iowa State University alumni

Category:American virologists

Category:Chinese emigrants to the United States

Category:People from Gaomi

Category:Scientists from Shandong

Category:Wuhan University alumni